Microplastics are seemingly everywhere, including our food and kitchen gear. With so many culprits, I find it’s not worth it to try and strip plastic from your entire life—I would drive myself to a bad place if I did that. But I do strive to remove it from my routine when I can do so easily. Two of the main things I’ve ditched in the kitchen are plastic food storage containers and, more recently, plastic cutting boards. According to this 2024 study, 1 square millimeter of scratched plastic cutting board can release 3,000 microplastics, a staggering stat that spurred me to swap mine out.
Luckily, there are some great non-toxic cutting boards out there to help you reduce your microplastic exposure. Whether you select a bamboo or wooden cutting board we love, or opt to try the titanium and glass boards gaining traction in the market, you’re making a good step towards reducing microplastics in the kitchen.
Popular Non-Plastic Cutting Boards to Shop
Totally Bamboo 3-Piece Bamboo Cutting Board Set
Amazon
If you want to swap your plastic cutting board for a low-lift, inexpensive pick, our favorite set from Totally Bamboo is the way to go. It comes with three bamboo boards, each a different size, costing just under $6 apiece. They are thin, lightweight and easy to use and store. Despite their low-profile design, we found them quite stable and durable in our tests—so much so that we feel these should cost more money, but we won’t complain!
John Boos Chop-N-Slice Series Rectangular Wooden Maple Cutting Board
Amazon
John Boos is a highly regarded brand by professionals. The brand makes some of the best cutting boards I have tried, but they are spendy. That said, it’s completely worth it, and we recommend starting with this Chop-N-Slice option. Made from solid maple wood, the board is strong and sturdy. We love the large, 20- x 15-inch surface of this one in particular because there’s plenty of space for prep, whether a small task or a large one. It’s made from one smooth piece, so you can flip it over and use the other side just the same. It’s such a marvel, you’ll likely keep this one displayed on your countertop at all times.
Zaucet Titanium Cutting Board
Amazon
Titanium cutting boards have been gaining popularity over the past year, like this model from Zaucet. It’s entirely one material (some other brands combine metal and plastic) and comes in three sizes, from 12 x 9 inches to 18 x 12 inches. This is an excellent option if you like plastic boards for preparing raw proteins, since the titanium board can be cleaned and sanitized just as easily as plastic. It’s lightweight and has a built-in handle, making it easy to lift, carry and clean.
Caraway 4-Piece Double-Sided Wood Cutting Board Set
Amazon
We’re all about a well-rounded set, and this Caraway birch wood option is no exception. It ranked highly during our tests thanks to its ideal blend of functionality and beauty. We love the clever indents at the top of the board because they either help separate ingredients as you prep or keep your chef’s knife in a safe place when you’re not using it. It also comes with a storage organizer, so your boards will stay tidy and easy to grab.
Material The MK Free Board
Amazon
Material launched this non-toxic cutting board in response to the increased concern over plastic. Made to be free or permanent microplastics, the board is composed of “plant-based biocomposite of natural clay minerals and biodegradable biopolymers.” Biodegradable biopolymers are renewable resources, and common ones include starches, cellulose and proteins, among other materials. This is a smart way to create a board that behaves like plastic but doesn’t leach billions of microparticles like plastic does.
Kikcoin Extra Large Bamboo Cutting Board Set, 3-Pack
Amazon
This well-priced cutting board feels and looks expensive, but it isn’t. The set includes three different-sized bamboo boards about an inch thick, so they feel hefty compared to other affordable options. I love the chic, checkered-like design that helps hide any knife marks. I’ve used my set for months, and it still looks good as new. I appreciate the included organizer, which keeps these neatly tucked away.
Farberware Non-Slip Glass Cutting Board
Amazon
My mom has had a glass cutting board on her countertop my entire life, and it’s still going strong. It has a textured surface similar to this one, and she likes it for quick chopping and slicing while cooking—it has a permanent place on the counter. Farberware’s beautifully simple glass board is resistant to breaking, so you can comfortably use it for many slicing and cutting tasks—just leave the protein butchering to an aptly named thick butcher block. This Farberware board includes rubber feet on the bottom so it doesn’t slip as you slice.
Fox Run Marble Pastry Board
Amazon
I used to use marble frequently when I was a baker. While you don’t want to use sharp knives on it very often, it’s great for protecting your counter as you work with or cut doughs, confections, chocolate and more. You can also use it to serve party-ready cheeses and other appetizers during the holidays, or use it to prepare simple meals, like sandwiches or your morning breakfast.
