Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you make a purchase through my link, at no additional cost to you. Please read the full disclosure here.
Welcome to the heart of your home – the kitchen!
Did you know that with a few simple swaps, you can transform your kitchen into an eco-friendly haven? By choosing sustainable and eco-conscious kitchen essentials, you not only reduce your environmental impact but also create a healthier space for you and your loved ones. 🙂
I often find myself noticing that a significant portion of the waste I generate comes directly from my kitchen. From the excessive food packaging to disposable cleaning supplies and food scraps, it’s astonishing how quickly it all adds up.
The majority of kitchen items are predominantly made of plastic and designed for single-use purposes. However, the good news is that there are numerous sustainable alternatives available that can replace these items. Not only will these swaps help reduce waste, but they will also save you money since most of them are reusable!
The key is to introduce these changes gradually over time, as you naturally need to restock your kitchen supplies. For instance, if you currently use a plastic sponge, there’s no need to toss it out immediately and rush to buy a biodegradable one. Instead, continue using it until the end of its lifespan, and then make the switch to a sustainable alternative.
Remember, progress doesn’t have to happen overnight. It’s perfectly fine to start slow and make changes at a pace that feels comfortable for you. As you begin incorporating small sustainable adjustments into your kitchen routine, you’ll find that the rest will gradually become easier and more natural.
Most of the products I linked on this post are from Earth Hero. I like shopping from there because they use recycled packaging that is also recyclable. It also tells you a good bit of information about each product that other places don’t usually add, like what it’s made from, where it’s made, what it’s packaged in, and what to do with it at the end of its life.
In this guide, we will explore 23 eco-friendly kitchen essentials that will help you create a greener home while maintaining functionality and style. Get ready to embark on a journey of conscious consumption and sustainable living!
And just an FYI- you can also use my discount code ‘farahaljallad’ for 10% Earth Hero products. 😊
Quick Navigation
- 1. Loofah Sponge
- 2. Dish Soap Bar
- 3. Reusable Sandwich Bags
- 4. Glass Storage Containers
- 5. Reusable Kitchen Towels
- 6. French Press
- 7. Grocery Bags
- 8. Produce Bags
- 9. Wax Wrap
- 10. Silicone Oven Mats
- 11. Cloth Napkins
- 12. Pot Scrub
- 13. Silicone Cupcake Wraps
- 14. Compost Bin
- 15. Metal Vegetable Peeler
- 16. Glass Straws
- 17. Reusable Cup
- 18. Dropps Dishwasher Detergent Pods
- 19. Silicone Ice Cube Tray
- 20. Compostable Bottle Brush
- 21. Refillable Cleaning Bottle
- 22. Compostable Trash Bags
- 23. Reusable Coffee Filter
1. Loofah Sponge
This was actually one of the first swaps I made in the kitchen! I knew that there had to be another alternative to the plastic sponges we’re so accustomed to using, and after some quick searching, I found a loofah sponge!
Let me tell you, after making this switch, I don’t ever see myself going back. It works just as well as a normal sponge, but it’s WAY better because it’s biodegradable and you can compost it! Absolutely zero waste.
2. Dish Soap Bar
Switching to a dish soap bar has saved me so much money on dish soap. I’ve had the bar I’m using right now for about 8 months and I’m barely half way through it, it’s amazing.
It also saves so much plastic since almost all (if not all) dish soaps are packaged in plastic bottles.
If you’re getting a soap bar (this goes for any soap bar, not just the dish one) It’s recommended to get a dish for the bar to keep it on because if it stays in the water, that will cause it to melt.
3. Reusable Sandwich Bags
Good news, you can finally ditch those plastic ziploc bags because there are SO many replacements! These alternatives are made from durable materials and are perfect for storing snacks, sandwiches, and leftovers. They are easy to clean and can be used over and over again, reducing the amount of plastic waste generated.
4. Glass Storage Containers
I only recommend replacing your storage containers if the ones you have need to be replaced or are broken. If you are looking for new containers though, I recommend glass ones! Glass is a safe and sustainable material that doesn’t leach harmful chemicals into your food. Plus, glass containers are microwave-safe, dishwasher-safe, and can be used for years to come.
These are the ones that I have and they are great! Never leaked and have no cracks. Plus, I can use them in the oven for my baked oats (If you haven’t tried baked oats, seriously do it).
Related: An In-Depth Guide to Zero Waste Grocery Shopping
5. Reusable Kitchen Towels
Replace paper towels with reusable cloth dish towels. They are more absorbent, durable, and can be washed and reused.
6. French Press
A french press is great to reduce waste when making coffee. It’s also super useful for tea drinkers also! You can make zero-waste tea by using loose leaf tea in a french press. You could also use a strainer.
7. Reusable Grocery Bag
Bringing your own reusable bags to the grocery store is a great way to save on plastic bags! They are much more durable too so you don’t have to worry about them ripping when carrying your groceries!
8. Bamboo Cutting Board.
Choose bamboo cutting boards over plastic or wooden ones. Bamboo is a fast-growing and sustainable material that is naturally antimicrobial and gentle on knife blades. Bamboo cutting boards are durable, easy to clean, and an eco-friendly addition to your kitchen.
9. Vegan Wax Wrap
Replace cling film and aluminum foil with wax wraps. These flexible and reusable wraps are a blend of 100% organic cotton, candelilla wax, coconut oil, and pine tree resin, allowing you to safely wrap and store food. They are a sustainable and biodegradable alternative that helps reduce plastic waste in the kitchen.
10. Silicone Oven Mats
Replace parchment paper with silicone baking mats. These non-stick mats are reusable, eliminate the need for oil or cooking spray, and make clean-up a breeze. They are a durable and eco-friendly alternative for all your baking needs. I use these for baking things at a low temperature like cookies. I tried using them for other food like baking potatoes, but they don’t do too well at higher temperatures so be wary of that.
11. Cloth Napkins
An easy replacement for single-use napkins is cloth ones! They are reusable, save you money, and look super fancy. 😉
12. Pot Scrub
I use this when there is something in a pot that is hard to scrub off. It’s made with a bamboo handle and palm fiber bristles. It’s also 100% compostable!
13. Silicone Cupcake Wraps
If you make cupcakes often, silicone cupcake wraps are a great swap for single-use ones.
Related: 22 Easy Food Waste Hacks You Need to Try Today
14. Compost Bin
A compost bin is a perfect swap for your food scraps. Instead of throwing them in the trash, where they will cause harm to the environment, they’ll be reused back into the Earth! Food waste is actually very harmful to the environment and emits enormous amounts of methane and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere while in a landfill because it can’t properly breakdown.
I use CompostNow for my composting and I absolutely love it. You can compost so much and I’ve never had a problem with them. For a few more ways on how to compost and some more information on why you should compost, check out my post How To Compost in an Apartment in 6 Different Ways.
15. Metal Vegetable Peeler
I don’t know about you, but I’ve only ever had or seen plastic vegetable peelers. It’s definitely not something I’d ever thought of swapping because I feel like it’s so random, but if you need a new vegetable peeler, why not get it plastic free? Everything counts, even this swap! 😉
16. Glass Straws
I love my glass straws. I use them every day, literally. I was worried they would break when I first got them, but they’re actually extremely durable. I’ve dropped mine multiple times (I’m super clumsy haha) on the hardwood floor and I’ve never noticed a single crack. These straws are the first set I got.
I also have a few straws from Simply Straws and love those as well. I got customized ones for me and my siblings that have our names on them. They are so cute and I’m very happy with them, so if you’re looking for a gift idea as well, I’d recommend Simply Straws!
17. Reusable cup
Reusable cups are mostly for going out as when you’re home you’re probably using glass cups, but they can still be useful at home! Especially if you’re making something and need to take it to go like coffee, tea, or a smoothie.
This is also a great bottle to use for water! It’s made out of recycled glass and is packaged in recycled and recyclable contents!
18. Dropps Dishwasher Detergent Pods
Even the small things we don’t normally think about pollute the planet, like detergent pods. These are 100% plastic-free and compostable! They are also biodegradable, non-toxic, and shipped plastic-free.
19. Silicone Ice Cube Tray
If you freeze your own ice cubes and need a replacement tray, silicone is the way to go! Ice cube trays are also great for freezing leftover coconut milk or even herbs that are about to go bad (just pour it in some water or oil and freeze).
20. Compostable Bottle Brush
If you need a bottle brush, why not get a compostable one? Works just as well and doesn’t hurt the environment! Win-win.
21. Refillable Spray Bottle For Cleaning
Replace those toxic plastic-packaged cleaning supplies and make your own! Store it in a reusable glass spray bottle. This will definitely save you money and waste.
Another alternative is to invest in Blueland. They give you the bottle and pods that go into the bottle when filled up with water. And then you can start cleaning right away! All you have to do is buy the bottle once and you can refill it for life!
22. Compostable Trash Bags
Replace your trash bags (that never fully break down) with compostable ones! Plastic trash bags take about 500 years to break down in landfills. These bags are great for composting but can also be used to throw your trash out.
Unfortunately, it will be harder for them to break down in a landfill because of the lack of oxygen flowing through the air. These compostable bags are still a great alternative to plastic because plastic does take fossil fuels to make and still never really goes away.
23. Reusable Coffee Filter
And last but definitely not least, ditch the single-use coffee filters and replace them with a reusable ones! It’s made from organic cotton and can be composted at the end of its life. This would also make an excellent gift for someone who drinks a lot of coffee!
