Forget High-Maintenance Wood – This Sub-$20 Non-Toxic Cutting Board Is Plastic-Free, Dishwasher-Safe, and Knife-Friendly

When shopping for a less toxic kitchen, we almost always focus solely on our cookware and storage. While we have every right to be concerned about these common sources of PFAS and BPAs, there is one culprit many of us overlook – our cutting boards.

Plastic cutting boards have long been the standard for convenience; they're lightweight for moving ingredients from counters to pans and easy enough to use and clean without dulling our knives or warping in the dishwasher. However, in an effort to make kitchens less toxic, studies have found that they can lead to a 'substantial source of microplastics in human food'.

That is why I am switching to a paper fiber cutting board from Amazon. These non-toxic alternatives don't ruin your knives like glass and are far less work than wood. For less than $20, it is an investment you can't afford to pass up.

Choosing a non-toxic cutting board can sometimes feel like a compromise. Wood needs frequent re-oiling and requires hand-washing, and glass, stainless steel, and stone can, over time, ruin your knives. When moving away from plastic, paper fiber boards are the next best thing.

Made from high-density pine leaf, the paper fiber boards from Amazon are a sustainable kitchen upgrade that makes everyday meal prep healthier. They are made by layering paper or wood fibers with food-safe resin, which is then fused under extreme heat and pressure. This creates a non-porous panel that does not chip or leach into your food when cutting.

Unlike wood, the resin means that paper fiber boards are one of the unexpected things you can wash in the dishwasher, too, making cleaning the kitchen after dinner a breeze in busy households. With a double-sided design and deep drip catching grooze around the exterior, it's the perfect pick when trying to minimize mess.

Don't just take my word for it, either. Amazon shoppers report that it is well worth the money, with great non-slip edges and the perfect amount of prep room, and is easy to clean.

In one five-star review left after a year of use, a verified shopper shared, 'I bought the three-pack (S-M-L) a year ago, and just ordered the XL. I'm satisfied with the quality and performance of this material. A good compromise between the excessive hardness of metal and stone, the porosity and leaching issues of plastic, and the need to keep bamboo and wood oiled. Grips on the corners eliminate sliding.

'There are some light scratches on the surface from use,' they report, but 'the only negative is the sharper sound when chopping.'

For under $20, it is the non-toxic kitchen upgrade you simply should not pass up.

What Else to Shop

From branded alternatives to the care tools you need to keep your knives and cutting boards in top condition, these are the kitchen prep essentials to consider for a less-toxic, well-functioning kitchen.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

With your food prep taken care of, consider the best non-toxic cookware to minimize your exposure to PFAS.

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