15 Easy Sustainable & Zero Waste Kitchen Swaps

Transferring in the direction of a low waste or zero waste kitchen can really feel overwhelming with so many meals merchandise coming in packaging however there are numerous sustainable swaps we will make even when we don’t have entry to a bulk bin retailer.

We will’t at all times management what choices can be found to us on the retailer, however listed here are fourteen concepts that can assist you get began in your low waste kitchen journey at house!

Word that there are companions and associates included on this information. As at all times, all merchandise meet excessive requirements for sustainability and are manufacturers I like — and that I feel you’ll love too!

To interchange standard non-stick cookware that incorporates poisonous chemical substances like PFAS

Cooking at house is an effective way to scale back packaging waste and eat more healthy — however in case you have standard non-stick pots and pans made with Teflon or different ceaselessly chemical substances, these dangerous chemical substances may leach into your meals.

Caraway’s non-toxic cookware alternatively is coated with a pure mineral-based ceramic non-stick coating and frequently shares testing experiences carried out by SGS. The cookware additionally ships plastic-free in effectively designed recycled cardboard packing containers. Orders additionally embody a biodegradable (but sturdy) cork trivet to guard your counter and kitchen desk.

I added Caraway’s cookware to our wedding ceremony registry final yr as a result of I cherished that it was non-toxic, superbly designed, and versatile — i.e. it’s appropriate with all stovetops, fuel, induction, or electrical. And now we have been loving cooking with their cookware. We use it almost day by day! Right here’s my full evaluate on Caraway Cookware.

In the event you’re inquisitive about buying a set (or particular person items) use code CONSCIOUSSTYLE10 for 10% off.

2. Material Rags

To interchange paper towels

Paper towels may be handy, however they arrive at a heavy price — to the environment and on our wallets. As I shared in my Easy Zero Waste Swaps guide, a household of 4 may simply be spending $650 – $1,000 on paper towels over the course of 5 years! Daily, over 3,000 tons of paper towel waste is produced within the US alone.

And whereas estimates differ on the precise environmental impression (this source estimates there are 3,000 tons of paper towel waste within the U.S. and that 17 bushes are reduce down and 20,000 gallons of water are used per ton of paper towel manufacturing), there’s no query this single-use behavior is solely unsustainable.

To make this swap, use your current towels and rags first! In the event you want some new ones, check out these organic hemp towels ($19.99) and these organic cotton dish towels here ($7.99)

3. Reusable Material Napkins

To interchange paper napkins

One other single-use paper product that now we have to finish for the sake of our forests and our wallets? Paper napkins!

Reusable napkins are a straightforward zero waste kitchen swap to make that may prevent from having to purchase package deal after package deal of single-use paper napkins.

To attenuate the environmental impression, take into account sourcing linen, hemp, or natural cotton napkins and even higher, utilizing material you have already got to make your personal!

Use your current towels/rags first and check out this guide to DIY-ing your own cloth napkins! In the event you want new ones, check our these organic cotton cloth napkins ($18)

To interchange plastic baggies

Whether or not you’re utilizing plastic baggies for prepping lunches, storing leftovers, tossing veggies in oil and seasoning, or freezing meals, these 100% platinum-grade silicone Stasher bags from EarthHero can be an ideal substitute to scale back waste. Simply as useful to make use of as plastic however safer (no BPA, BPS, phthalates, and many others.) and extra sturdy, these silicone baggage are protected to bake, cook dinner, microwave, freeze, boil as much as 400 levels Fahrenheit, and even put in your sous vide machine. Neat, huh?

I like my Stasher baggage — they’re self-sealing, making them as handy as plastic baggage and simple to scrub out, too. The colour you see above is “Sky”! 

Check Out the Stasher Snack Bag ($9.99) | Check Out the Stasher Sandwich Bag ($11.99) | Check Out the 4-Pack of Stasher Bags ($53.99) Use code CONSCIOUSLIFE for 10% off

To interchange standard dish detergent

Dropps’ natural dish detergent pods are the answer for getting your dishes clear with out all of that plastic packaging or questionable ingredient record that comes together with standard dish detergent. 

I had been hesitant to strive dish detergent pods earlier than out of concern they wouldn’t clear in addition to powder, however Dropps despatched me a few of their pods so I may check them out earlier than I shared them with you all — and they work nice! You merely put the pod into the slot of your dishwasher you’d sometimes put some other detergent and after you run your dishwasher, your dishes are clear and the pod has disappeared. (The pod is 100% biodegradable!) The method is tremendous simple and mess-free.

I used to be additionally impressed by how minimal Dropps packaging is — the packaging is the container of the pods, making it as minimal as transport packaging can get whereas nonetheless being protecting. (You possibly can see the packaging within the background of the picture on the left!)

Check Out Dropps’ Biodegradeable Detergent Pods ($25 for 64 pods/39 cents per pod for small package deal; $40 for 120 pods/33 cents per pod for bigger package deal. There’s a 30% low cost in case you do the subscription.)

There are also bulk options available that come out to as little as 16 cents per pod! Use the code ‘life15’ for 15% off your order!

To interchange plastic dish brushes

There are many causes to like an excellent picket dishwashing brush. This plastic-free kitchen swap is simply as useful as some other brush, however reduces a complete lot of waste. The comb head is replaceable, so that you don’t have to discard the entire brush when the bristles get worn.

Each the deal with and the comb head will be composted after they attain their finish of life.

Check Out EcoRoot’s Wooden Dish Brush ($11 with $7 substitute brush heads)

To interchange dishwashing cleaning soap in plastic bottles

And in case you’re scrubbing with an eco brush, would possibly as nicely use low-waste dishwashing cleaning soap as nicely!

This cleaning soap bar is all vegan, palm oil-free, paraben-free, and utterly biodegradable. EcoRoots at all times ships in minimal, plastic-free packaging as nicely, which I like!

Check Out EcoRoots’ Dish Washing Block

To interchange synthetic-fiber sponges

Swedish dishcloths are tremendous absorbent, making them an important pure different to artificial sponges. EcoRoots has some eco-minded dish garments created from 70% cellulose, 30% cotton and printed with watercolor-based dyes. They’re 100% compostable on the finish of their life.

Check Out the Swedish Dish Cloths

9. Glass Jars

To interchange single-use storage

That is one among my favourite zero-waste kitchen swaps as a result of it reduces waste, prices nothing, and simply appears so aesthetically pleasing!

Glass jars are type of the quintessential zero waste “look” however you don’t have to exit and purchase something new and fancy. In the event you ever purchase one thing in a jar, simply clear it out and re-use it! The picture right here options do-it-yourself granola in an outdated sauce jar and a few pasta in an outdated cranberry juice bottle.

10. Sturdy Reusable Containers

To interchange single-use baggage

Meals containers are an effective way to retailer leftovers and cut-up produce for later. There are over 40 million tons of food waste annually simply within the U.S. or about 30-40% of the U.S. meals provide.

The bottom waste choice for meals storage is to make use of any containers you’ve already received readily available!

In the event you do want a brand new container, check out these stainless steel containers or these glass containers

To interchange single-use plastic wrap

Skip the filmy skinny plastic wrap for beeswax wrap from EarthHero that can be utilized over and over. This beeswax wrap — which is created from natural cotton and sustainably-harvested beeswax — is ideal to make use of for any state of affairs you’d sometimes use tinfoil or cling wrap. I like utilizing it to cowl do-it-yourself baked items, leftover meals in bowls with out lids, or for wrapping round reduce produce to maintain it contemporary. 

The beeswax wrap cleans up simply with simply water and the wrap will be composted on the finish of its helpful life. 

Check Out the Single Beeswax Wrap ($6.60) | Shop the 3-Pack of Beeswax Wraps ($17.99 – $19.99) Use code CONSCIOUSLIFE for 10% off

12. Material Produce Luggage

To interchange single-use baggage

Retailer your produce away safely with reusable fabric baggage! Material reusable baggage can be used at grocery shops to remove single-use plastic produce baggage. (On the time of writing, many shops are usually not permitting reusable baggage attributable to COVID-19, however I do assume that we will usher in our personal reusable baggage once more.)

Don’t have baggage? Check Out These Organic Cotton Produce Bags

To interchange plastic water bottles

I like Soma’s water filter! I’m not a choosy water-drinker (I actually don’t discover a lot of a distinction from spring water from a bottle to faucet water from the sink), however I do really feel a lot better realizing that chlorine, mercury, zinc, cadmium, and copper, are filtered by this Soma water filter.

Soma’s filters are created from 60% plant-based and renewable supplies and the corporate is B-Corp licensed.

Check Out the Soma Water Filter

To interchange individually-wrapped tea baggage

In the event you love tea however don’t love all that packaging, there’s a straightforward swap for that: loose-leaf tea + tea steepers. Not solely will you reduce your exposure to microplastics by skipping the plastic teabag, however I discover that loose-leaf tea typically tastes so a lot better too. Currently, I’ve been loving the Sacred Blossom Farm teas that have been kindly gifted to me!

For a full information to loose0leaf tea (and tea packed in pure, compostable baggage), take a look at my information to sustainable and fair trade tea.

Check Out Sacred Blossom Farm’s Tea Strainer

15. French Press or Reusable Espresso Filters

As an alternative of single-use filters with filter espresso

There are a number of methods to go about zero waste espresso making. One is to make use of a french press! With a french press, all you want is the espresso and a few boiling water — no single-use paper filter wanted.

In the event you do desire filtered espresso for style or time constraints, strive a reusable espresso filter, like these from EarthHero.

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