By Rose Morrison, managing editor of Renovated and The Landscape Guide.
Your kitchen is a great place to build eco-friendly habits. You may not notice it at first glance, but it’s one of the biggest sources of waste. Kitchen scraps, plastics and sponges contribute to the world’s growing land and water pollution. You can achieve kitchen sustainability with small, consistent efforts. Discover strategies for building a zero-waste kitchen.
1) Conduct a Kitchen Audit
Before you start buying items, pause and assess your current items. Do you have any unused plastic packaging? Check the expiration dates of your food stash. Inspect your appliances and equipment for damage. Identify what to keep, repair or discard.
Review your kitchen habits, too. Spend a week observing what you throw away the most. Is it plastic packaging from snacks, leftover food or vegetable scraps? Knowing your source of waste helps you target the most impactful changes first, rather than trying to do everything at once.
2) Rethink Your Food Storage
Plastics are a staple in most kitchens. Spatulas, measuring cups, colanders, containers, utensil holders and even some coffee pods are plastic. This material pollutes the oceans and harms marine life, contributing to 60%-95% global marine litter.
Fortunately, there are simple ways to achieve a plastic-free kitchen. Swap plastic wraps for reusable beeswax or vegan wax wraps. They make great alternatives for wrapping sandwiches, covering bowls and storing produce. Reusable silicone bags are also a great choice. Use glass containers for meal prep and leftovers. Start with a few items and build from there.
3) Use Sustainable Kitchen Cleaning Tools
Sponges and paper towels are effective cleaning tools, but many overlook their environmental impact. Choosing eco-friendly kitchen products contributes to a cleaner, greener planet. Natural loofah sponges do well for heavy-duty scrubbing. Swedish dishcloths are highly absorbent and washable, unlike standard kitchen towels.
Store-bought cleaning products release volatile organic compounds that can irritate your eyes and throat and may cause headaches. The good news is that you can make your own cleaning solution at home. Simply mix water and vinegar, then use it to clean glass, stainless steel and sinks.
4) Cut Down on Food Waste
Food waste contributes to the rising greenhouse gas emissions. Throwing away food wastes all of the resources and energy used in harvesting, producing, transporting and preparing. Starting a compost bin is a simple yet effective way to reduce food scraps at home.
Create and maintain a pile of “brown” materials like dry leaves and “green” products, such as kitchen scraps. Aim for a ratio of three parts brown to one part green. Mix the materials thoroughly and keep the pile as moist as a damp sponge.
5) Choose a Foundation That Lasts
An organized kitchen is inherently less wasteful. When you can see everything you have, you are less likely to overbuy or let food go to waste. An effective organization often relies on sturdy storage structures, such as shelving and cabinetry.
When it comes to kitchen cabinet longevity, the main material is the most important factor. Particleboard, while often inexpensive, typically requires repairs or replacement within five to seven years due to moisture and damage. Plywood is a smarter choice, as it can remain structurally sound for over 20 years.
6) Buy in Bulk
Buying your kitchen staples in bulk can help you save money and create a plastic-free kitchen. The goal is to avoid the store’s plastic bags, not to buy more than you need. Before going to the store, list your staples, like rice, oats, flour, spices, nuts and seeds.
Bring your own containers. Use glass jars and repurposed plastic containers for dry goods. For items like vinegar, oil and honey, store them in bottles. Sometimes, it can be tempting to fill a large container just because you have it. Remember to only buy the amount you can realistically use before it spoils.
7) Grow Your Greens
You don’t need a large garden to enjoy fresh greens. Many can be grown right on your kitchen windowsill, reducing the need to buy from the market. Start with something easy, like herbs. If you have plenty of outdoor space, consider tomatoes. All you need is a spot that gets plenty of sunlight, regular watering and fertilizing.
Regrowing food from kitchen scraps is also possible. Cut off the root base of a lettuce, celery or bok choy. Place it cut-side-up in a shallow bowl with a half-inch of water. Change the water daily, wait for a week and witness new leaves sprout from the center.
8) Save and Use Kitchen Water
Used kitchen water is an often-overlooked resource. You can reuse water from cooking, saving a significant amount of this precious resource each week. Keep a large bowl or small basin in your kitchen sink. Any vessel that can hold a few quarts of liquid should do the trick.
Collect the water you use to wash, boil or steam vegetables, let it cool and use it for watering plants or soaking a muddy pair of boots. Water from rinsing rice and boiling pasta can also benefit your houseplants. Avoid collecting greasy and soapy water.
Make Small, Sustainable Kitchen Swaps for Your Zero-Waste Kitchen
The final piece of advice is to be kind to yourself. A zero-waste kitchen is not an overnight transformation. You may still use single-use plastic occasionally, but that’s OK. Take one step at a time and learn from your missteps until kitchen sustainability becomes second nature.
About Rose Morrison
