Reduce your environmental impact and live a more sustainable lifestyle with these 7 easy sustainable kitchen swaps. By composting food scraps, using reusable food storage containers and paper towels, and switching to beeswax wraps and silicone resealable bags, you can easily create a greener home in no time.
If you've ever taken a good look at the inside of your trash can, you've probably noticed that a lot of the waste comes from the kitchen. Between food packaging, plastic utensils, paper towels, and chemical cleaners, the kitchen generates a significant amount of trash that ends up in landfills. This waste not only harms the environment but also represents all of the natural resources and energy that were used to create those disposable products in the first place.
Living sustainably means being conscious of our environmental impact and making changes to
reduce the resources we use and the waste we generate. With climate change and pollution threatening ecosystems around the world, it's more important than ever that we modify our lifestyles to be kinder to the planet. The good news is that living sustainably doesn't require dramatic life changes. We can start small with simple swaps in our daily routines.
The kitchen presents easy opportunities to reduce waste. By switching from paper towels to reusable clothes, choosing natural cleaning products, and reaching for reusable containers instead of plastic bags, we can make good strides toward a zero-waste kitchen.
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Sustainable Kitchen Swaps for Food Waste
Quick Summary:
- Compost food scraps - Composting food waste recycles nutrients and keeps organic matter out of landfills.
- Use reusable food containers - Glass and stainless steel containers are healthier than plastic and infinitely reusable.
- Switch to reusable paper towels - Cloth towels reduce waste from single-use paper towels.
- Try Swedish dishcloths - These reusable cloths replace wasteful plastic scrubbies and sponges.
- Use beeswax wraps - Natural beeswax wraps substitute plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
- Swap plastic bags for silicone - Reusable silicone bags are an eco-friendly stand-in for plastic baggies.
- Don't forget your reusable shopping bags - Sturdy totes replace flimsy plastic bags for groceries and produce.
1) Compost Food Scraps
Food waste is a huge problem. An estimated 30-40% of the US food supply ends up in landfills, squandering valuable resources used to grow, process, and transport food. Fortunately, composting offers a simple solution to reduce kitchen food scraps.
Composting recycles organic waste into nutrient-rich soil through natural decomposition. Vegetables, fruit peels, eggshells, coffee grounds, and more can be composted instead of tossed. This helps to turn food waste into something usable, keeping food waste out of landfills.
Incorporating recipes that use every part of your produce, like beet green pesto or potato peel crisps, is another easy way to reduce food waste in the kitchen
How To Start Composting Right in Your Kitchen
Starting a countertop compost bin is an easy option for small spaces. Choose an aerated design, like a compost keeper or bin with ventilation holes. Place it on your countertop or under your sink to collect food scraps as you cook. Empty the bin into an outdoor compost pile or municipal collection when full.
LOMI SMART WASTE KITCHEN COMPOSTER
Using this composter is a breeze! The Lomi uses advanced technology to break down the waste into compost in mere days. It fits snugly on the kitchen counter, taking up minimal space and no smell!
For indoor composting, stick to produce trimmings and avoid meat and dairy, which can get smelly. A countertop bin with charcoal filters helps control any odors. You can compost most fruits and veggies - egg shells, apple cores, carrot peelings, and more. Coffee grounds and tea bags also make great additions.
What Food Scraps Can Be Composted?
Nearly any food scrap can be composted - vegetables, fruits, bread, coffee grounds, and more. Avoid meat, oils, and animal products that can attract pests and rodents. A well-managed compost bin shouldn't smell or attract animals.
Composting takes your food's nutrients back to the soil. It's one small way to reduce your impact and live more sustainably.
If you're not ready to commit to composting at home, swapping out your traditional garbage bags for compostable ones is a simple swap that's better for the environment. Compostable garbage bags are made from plant materials such as cornstarch, which can decompose as quickly as 45- 90 days, unlike traditional plastic garbage bags, which can take centuries to decompose.
UNNI 100% Compostable Drawstring Bags
UNNI 100% Compostable Drawstring Bags make it easy to reduce your plastic waste and be more environmentally friendly. These bags are made with plant-based materials, so they decompose in just 90 days. They're also extra strong and can hold up to 12 lbs of garbage, reducing ask risk of spillage.
2) Use Reusable Food Storage Containers
Plastic baggies and cling wrap may seem like a convenient way to transport your lunch to work, but all of that single-use plastic takes a toll on the planet. The average American uses over 300 disposable sandwich bags annually. Most end up polluting landfills and oceans for hundreds of years.
Switching to reusable glass food storage containers is an easy, sustainable swap for your kitchen. Glass is infinitely recyclable and won't leach chemicals like plastic can. Toxic chemicals in plastic containers can migrate into food, especially when reheated. This doesn't happen with inert glass containers. And you don't have to worry about stains or smells that can cling to plastic.
Storing leftovers or meal prepping in glass jars and containers means you won't have to reach for wasteful plastic bags or wraps. Glass keeps food fresh while being environmentally friendly.
GLASSLOCK Duo
Glasslock containers offer a great non-toxic, sustainable option for meal prep, snack containers, and school lunches.
Their glass containers are made from durable borosilicate glass, which is recyclable and won't leach chemicals or heavy metals into your lunch. Their leakproof lids are made of BPA-free plastic, so you don’t need to worry about nasty chemicals making their way into your food if they come in direct contact with the lid.
Sustainable Kitchen Swaps for Paper Towels
3) Use Reusable Paper Towels
Paper towels may be handy, but they take a toll on the environment. Americans use over 13 billion pounds of paper towels annually - requiring millions of trees plus a ton of energy and water to produce. That's a significant amount of waste that can be easily avoided.
An easy, sustainable swap is to switch to reusable cloth towels since they can be washed and reused rather than tossed after one use. These towels are made from absorbent fabric like cotton or bamboo. Simply wet them as needed and wipe up spills and messes. Honestly, they're a lot more durable and better for cleaning up heavy-duty kitchen messes than paper towels anyhow.
Over time, they save money too. And using cloth instead of paper conserves natural resources.
Cleaning them is easier than you might think. Just toss them in the washing machine with your other towels using hot water and then hang dry. For quick cleaning, you can just wash in the kitchen sink with your dishes. With proper care, they'll last for years.
Zero Wastely Reusable Paper Towels
These cloth towels are a versatile, eco-friendly substitute for paper towels. Look for ones made of absorbent and quick-drying materials like cotton or bamboo. Use them for drying dishes, wiping counters, cleaning spills, as cloth napkins, and more. To reduce laundry loads, have different towels with different colors/patterns for different tasks.
4) Opt For Swedish Dishcloths Over Sponges
The average kitchen sponge teems with bacteria and needs to be regularly replaced. This constant waste adds up over time, not to mention the harsh chemicals and synthetic dyes lurking in some kitchen sponge brands. We had no idea what Swedish dishcloths were for the longest time, but we're so glad we found them.
Swedish dishcloths are made of cellulose and cotton. When you buy them, they're completely stiff and dry. You may have seen them and not even known what you're looking at. They are great for sopping up spills, but we use them most for washing dishes.
They're better than a washcloth because they have more scrubbing power, but they're also gentle on your dishes. To use, simply dampen the cloth and clean dishes as usual, rinsing when dirty, and then let dry thoroughly between each use.
Swedish dishcloths can be sanitized by boiling for 5 minutes or tossed in the dishwasher. Allow to air dry completely to prevent mildew. They'll last months with proper care.
To make your dishwashing routine even more eco-friendly, you can consider adding a zero-waste dish soap and a bio-degradable dish brush, which are great plastic-free alternatives.
FEBU Swedish Dishcloths
These reusable cellulose and cotton cloths are an amazingly absorbent alternative to sponges. Completely biodegradable and compostable, they're ideal for mopping up spills, washing dishes, and scrubbing pots and pans. You can reuse each towel up to 200 times before composting.
Sustainable Kitchen Swaps for Plastic Wrap
5) Give Reusable Beeswax Wraps A Try
Plastic wrap can take hundreds or even thousands of years to decompose. Is it really worth it to wrap you sandwich a single time in something that will continue to pollute our environment for hundreds of years?
An easy, eco-friendly alternative is switching to reusable beeswax wraps. Beeswax wraps are made from cotton infused with beeswax, tree resin, and oils. When warmed, they form to your containers and bowls, creating a tight seal. They take a little learning curve to get used to. But once you switch, you’ll be glad you did.
The natural cling of beeswax makes it the perfect replacement for cling wrap and aluminum foil. It's also a healthier alternative since plastic wrap can leach chemicals into your food, especially when heated. Plastic wrap contains PVC/PVDC, phthalates, lead, and cadmium, which come in direct contact with your food and are known hormone disrupters and potential carcinogens. Beyond that, plastic wrap can take as long as 450 years to degrade once tossed. Pure beeswax is a natural food-safe coating with antibacterial properties.
Tips For Using Beeswax Wraps:
- Bee's wrap adheres best to smooth surfaces, so use them to cover bowls, jars, plates, and dishes rather than wrapping your foods directly.
- To create a tight seal, use your warm hands to mold the wrap around the container or food you are covering. The wax will conform to the shape as it cools.
- Don't microwave beeswax wraps or put them in the oven - the wax will melt. Best to use them for fridge storage.
- Be gentle when washing beeswax wraps by hand to preserve the wax coating. Use cool water and mild dish soap, and avoid scrubbing.
- Let wraps completely air dry after each use before re-wrapping food to prevent mildew. Reshape if needed.
- Store beeswax wraps in breathable fabric bags or containers. This prevents the wax from melting.
- Compost beeswax wraps once they can no longer be re-coated so they don't end up in a landfill.
Bee Carefree Reusable Beeswax Food Wrap
Bee Carefree Reusable Beeswax Food Wrap is the perfect way to keep your food fresh and free of harmful chemicals. Made from 100% natural beeswax, these wraps are reusable, helping to reduce your environmental impact without sacrificing convenience or flavor.
Suggested Reading: 7 Easy Eco Friendly Swaps for Cleaning Your Home Without Toxins
6) Use Silicone Resealable Bags
Ziploc sandwich bags have become a kitchen essential, and they can be hard to part from. They are a great way to store produce, leftovers, a quick snack, and even to organize your kitchen junk drawer. However, Americans use an average of 365 plastic bags per person per year- which almost 5 trillion plastic bags!
That's why we love reusable silicone bags. All of the convenience with none of the waste. Food-grade silicone is durable, flexible, and can be used again and again.
They are also leak-proof and airtight when sealed properly. While incredibly durable, should you need to toss them, they are also 100% recyclable. Plus, they come in fun colors and shapes that make it easier to find what you need quickly!
To use, simply wash, fill, seal, and store just as you would with Ziploc bags. Silicone is freezer-safe and can handle extremes of heat and cold. After use, turn the bags inside out and wash them by hand or toss them in the dishwasher.
With this simple swap, you can make your kitchen more eco-friendly. Give silicone reusable bags a try for an easy way to reduce plastic pollution.
Stasher Silicone Reusable Storage Bags
This bundle includes four sizes of silicone bags – mini, sandwich, snack, and pocket – so you can store just about anything. The patented pinch-press seal ensures a leakproof environment perfect for taking snacks on the go or marinating meats in the fridge.
7) Don't Forget Your Reusable Cloth Bags
Consider how many bags you typically need for grocery runs. Having a variety of sizes and fabrics makes reusable totes convenient and practical. Stash bags in your car or entryway so they are always on hand.
Bringing reusable shopping bags to grocery stores is an easy, everyday way to reduce plastic waste. Sturdy reusable totes can replace flimsy plastic one's trip after trip.
Look for durable, machine-washable cotton canvas totes for heavy items. Foldable nylon bags are great for tucking into a purse or pocket. Insulated bags keep groceries cool en route.
CHICOBAG REUSABLE NOMAD SHOULDER TOTE
Sturdy reusable totes made from natural fibers like canvas and hemp are ideal for groceries. Keep them folded in your purse or car so you're always prepared.
Don’t Forget Reusable Produce Bags
For produce, reusable cotton muslin bags are ideal. They are lightweight, breathable, and allow shoppers to easily replace single-use plastic produce bags.
With a selection of durable shopping bags, you can skip the plastic for good. This simple swap keeps waste out of landfills and protects the planet. Bring your own bags for an easy swap.
JUNELILY REUSABLE GROCERY BAGS FOR SHOPPING
Mesh produce bags allow grocery store cashiers to weigh fruits and veggies without plastic. They're endlessly reusable and often machine washable.
This blog post was all about sustainable kitchen swaps.
Sustainable living doesn't mean dramatic lifestyle changes. With a few simple swaps, you can reduce your environmental impact starting right in your kitchen. Compost food scraps, ditch paper towels for reusable cloths, and swap out plastic wrap for natural beeswax covers. Carry reusable shopping bags and opt for glass food containers.
These easy, sustainable kitchen swaps allow you to make choices that are healthier for you and kinder to the planet. Reduce waste while saving money by choosing reusable over disposable. You'll cut down on trash and conserve precious resources.
Help protect ecosystems and combat climate change through everyday actions. Adopt more sustainable habits for yourself and future generations. The future depends on collective efforts to be better environmental stewards.
Try implementing one new sustainable kitchen swap this week. What other swaps have you made in your kitchen to reduce waste and go greener? Share in the comments!
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