Why go Zero-Waste?
You may not notice just how much you’re throwing out in your kitchen, but pay closer attention and you may start to notice. When you continue to throw away sponges, towels, plastic bags, and other things, that amounts to a lot of waste over the long run. Our world already has more trash than it knows how to deal with and everything we do to stop producing as much trash helps. But, that doesn’t mean that it has to be hard to help the environment. With these 10 zero-waste kitchen essentials, being eco-friendly can be easy and breezy!
Why Zero-Waste?
According to a study conducted at Columbia University, the average American produces approximately 4.48 pounds of trash PER DAY! If we want our planet to stay (or return to being) lush and green, then we have to start changing our ways. And that all starts with decreasing our waste, so why not start in your kitchen?
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1. Compostable Sponges
You can get these compostable sponges at Amazon at this link hehttps://amzn.to/3hjqABMre.
Nearly all sponges are made out of petroleum-based plastic and are thrown away after a short use. Considering that most Americans use these sponges and throw them away regularly, this adds up to a lot of trash. And, many odor-removing or anti-bacterial sponges actually contain toxic chemicals in them that can end up polluting our oceans and waterways.
So, for this zero-waste kitchen essential, the switch is super easy and self-explanatory. Next time you’re buying sponges, just buy compostable ones instead. They’re cheap, eco-friendly, and work just as well as any other sponge! By the way, these compostable sponges come in these super cute non-plastic packagings!
2. Swedish Dishcloths
You can get these on Amazon in in a variety of cute prints here!
Paper towels generate a lot of waste, and while it may be convenient to reach for them if you have a spill or need to dry something, it’s just as easy to use a reusable Swedish dishcloth. This product is not only super cute, but it’s made of natural ingredients and it replaces 17 rolls of paper towels, making it a fantastic zero-waste kitchen essential! These dishcloths are super absorbent and can be washed easily if they become dirty. In fact, you’ll probably end up saving money by buying these instead of continuously buying paper towel rolls.
3. Wooden dish scrub
You can buy this one pictured above here.
This is another, longer-lasting option to replace sponges and dish-cleaning scrubs. Because it is made of wood, after several years of use you can go ahead and throw these into the compost rather than the trash. Otherwise, there isn’t much of a difference between plastic scrubs and wooden scrubs, so there’s really nothing for you to lose by making this easy switch!
4. Reusable kitchen towels
You can buy these super cute kitchen towels here.
This is another alternative to paper-towels that can come in an assortment of cute prints and can easily clean up any mess in your kitchen. These are super easy to clean in a laundry-machine or by hand, and over time will help you save money you would normally spend on paper towel rolls.
5. Vegan Wax Wraps
You can get these ones here.
Did you know that the average American family goes through 24 rolls of plastic wrap every year? Honestly, I wasn’t too surprised because my family used to cover EVERYTHING with plastic wrap. Anytime we had leftovers or had to bring food to a potluck, we’d cover all our plates and dishes with plastic wrap and then immediately throw it away when it was no longer needed. Obviously, this is incredibly wasteful, but there weren’t many good alternatives out there until a few years back.
Now, plastic wrap can easily be replaced by washable and reusable fabric wax wraps, a staple zero-waste kitchen essential, that will last at least a year. While these wax wraps probably cost more than a single roll of plastic wrap, it’ll help you save money in the long run. One set of these wax wraps can end up replacing about 24 rolls of plastic wrap or more! So, while it is a larger upfront investment, it’ll pay itself off in just a few months.
6. Cloth Napkins
You can get these beautiful napkins here!
I used to LIVE off of those disposable paper napkins most people use every day. I didn’t even think that they were bad for the environment because I was composting them every time I threw them away. But, when you use around three paper napkins a day, every day of the year, that adds up to a lot of paper and a lot of trees cut down, which is why this zero-waste kitchen essential is so important.
Fortunately, cloth napkins are the classy and cheap alternative to disposable napkins that can save trees from being cut down. When you have guests over, they’ll think you’re fancy and put together (even if you are not) with these cloth napkins. Just toss them in the wash everyday or wash them by hand, and you’ll end up saving lots of money in the long run when you don’t have to buy paper napkins every month!
7. Reusable food storage containers
You can get the glass food containers pictured above at this link here.
Yes, you’ve probably heard of this a thousand times already (hopefully), but this is one is pretty important, especially if you love to eat out. Just think about how many plastic and paper containers get thrown away everyday! And, it’s not like it’s that difficult to replace those with reusable glass containers. Just one of these containers can last you YEARS (I’ve had mine for at least 5) and they are super convenient to use when meal-prepping or for storing leftovers. Plus, these are dishwasher-friendly and super easy to clean, so this zero-waste kitchen essential should be no problem at all!
8. Reusable Produce bags
Check out these fashionable, eco-friendly produce bags out here.
At my local grocery store, the plastic produce bags were replaced by biodegradable compostable ones, but I know that this isn’t true at most places. So, the best alternative is to take your own reusable produce bags, and you can keep your foods safe while helping the environment. These pack up super small, so you can easily throw it in your normal grocery bags and have them with you just in case you need them, and are great to organize your produce in your fridge and counter! In my household, these are an integral zero-waste kitchen essential 😀
9. Stasher Reusable snack bags
Check out this two-pack of 15 ounce reusable Stasher bags here!
I cannot tell you how much I love these bags! They are so cute and are perfect for packing snacks or for keeping fruit fresh in the fridge. They are dishwasher and oven safe, and they help you save sooo many plastic bags from reaching the landfill. I got these once a friend recommended them for me and I have used them ever since. You’ll end up saving money in the long run by buying a few of these bags instead of tons of ziploc bags and seran wrap.
10. Kitchen Composter
You can get this sleek, modern kitchen composter here.
This is a super important part of any zero-waste or eco-friendly kitchen! Did you know that, according to the EPA, about 22% of things that end up in the garbage are food items? Not only is that a waste of all the resources that it took to produce that food, but food waste releases methane when it starts to decompose without oxygen in landfills. Methane has been estimated to be about 23 times more harmful to the environment than carbon dioxide and is a large contributor to global warming.
Ideally, food would not be wasted, but inevitably things start to go bad and have to be thrown out. When you compost this food, not only are you preventing methane from being released into the atmosphere, but you are returning nutrients back into the soil. Plus, there are so many cute, compact, and practical compost containers that will fit in seamlessly with your kitchen. And, you won’t have to worry about any bugs or bad smells because they usually come with a lid!ee
Want some more eco-friendly cooking and kitchen tips?
Check out my recipes for delicious tofu tacos, eggplant parmesan, and the absolute best sautéed mushrooms. And, while you’re at it, read my post on The Single Best Thing YOU Can Do For The Environment. Thanks for reading and drop a comment down below to tell me what you thought.
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