Reusable Tupperware
First of all, using Tupperware works wonders in terms of the organization of your kitchen. You can find all kinds of Tupperware in all kinds of shapes, colors, designs, anything you can imagine! They are all washable, affordable, and portable, what more could you want from a kitchen device? If you want to avoid plastic even further, consider using metal, glass, or ceramic options! These are more expensive, but work well to establish a modern or homely aesthetic for your kitchen.
First of all, using Tupperware works wonders in terms of the organization of your kitchen. You can find all kinds of Tupperware in all kinds of shapes, colors, designs, anything you can imagine! They are all washable, affordable, and portable, what more could you want from a kitchen device? If you want to avoid plastic even further, consider using metal, glass, or ceramic options! These are more expensive, but work well to establish a modern or homely aesthetic for your kitchen.
Mesh Produce Bags
These bags cut out the need for plastic produce bags at the grocery store, but can also double as handy storage for your produce at home! You can find these bags sold at many grocery stores or online for affordable prices. They are washable and can be used in the fridge or on the counter, practically anywhere. Some even come equipped with drawstrings to cinch the bags closed.
These bags cut out the need for plastic produce bags at the grocery store, but can also double as handy storage for your produce at home! You can find these bags sold at many grocery stores or online for affordable prices. They are washable and can be used in the fridge or on the counter, practically anywhere. Some even come equipped with drawstrings to cinch the bags closed.
Beeswax Wrap
This is a wonderful alternative to plastic wrap, which is a menace in the kitchen as it cannot be reused or recycled. While the initial purchase is more expensive than plastic wrap, this product can be reused for years and can be used to package anything from sliced fruits to dinner leftovers.
This is a wonderful alternative to plastic wrap, which is a menace in the kitchen as it cannot be reused or recycled. While the initial purchase is more expensive than plastic wrap, this product can be reused for years and can be used to package anything from sliced fruits to dinner leftovers.
Milk Jars
Yes, the milk jar businesses are back! For those who do not know, in a milk jar business, the consumer buys milk jars from the individual company and places the empty jars outside for the individual to collect and refill. While this business is not booming again, some operations still exist. This is a great alternative to buying plastic gallons of milk that is great for the environment and local business.
Yes, the milk jar businesses are back! For those who do not know, in a milk jar business, the consumer buys milk jars from the individual company and places the empty jars outside for the individual to collect and refill. While this business is not booming again, some operations still exist. This is a great alternative to buying plastic gallons of milk that is great for the environment and local business.
Plant-based Sponges
Some traditional sponges are made of a compound called “polyurethane,” a substance that does not break down readily in landfills. As an alternative, considering using plant-based sponges. Some brands outwardly show their sponge ingredients as being plant-based, but some traditional sponges are actually made largely from cellulose from wood pulp and hemp fibers. The wood pulp is harvested as a byproduct from logging operations, but no extra trees are needed to be chopped down; the excess, unusable wood is shredded and sent off to sponge companies. This means that some traditional sponges are biodegradable, but specifically plant-based sponges are more trustworthy and might avoid harsh chemicals.1
Some traditional sponges are made of a compound called “polyurethane,” a substance that does not break down readily in landfills. As an alternative, considering using plant-based sponges. Some brands outwardly show their sponge ingredients as being plant-based, but some traditional sponges are actually made largely from cellulose from wood pulp and hemp fibers. The wood pulp is harvested as a byproduct from logging operations, but no extra trees are needed to be chopped down; the excess, unusable wood is shredded and sent off to sponge companies. This means that some traditional sponges are biodegradable, but specifically plant-based sponges are more trustworthy and might avoid harsh chemicals.1
Biodegradable Trash Bags
Biodegradable trash bags are easy to find in grocery stores or online and virtually indistinguishable from traditional petroleum-made plastic trash bags. They are more economical to buy in bulk, but they are still slightly more expensive than traditional trash bags. Biodegradable trash bags decompose, meaning less residual plastic waste will be left on our planet.
Biodegradable trash bags are easy to find in grocery stores or online and virtually indistinguishable from traditional petroleum-made plastic trash bags. They are more economical to buy in bulk, but they are still slightly more expensive than traditional trash bags. Biodegradable trash bags decompose, meaning less residual plastic waste will be left on our planet.
Cupcake Liners
There are two kinds of sustainable baking cups that are inexpensive, easy-to-use, and good for the environment! Firstly, there are biodegradable, compostable baking cups made from paper products. Most biodegradable baking cup companies sustainably source the trees that are being used to produce their product. Secondly, silicone baking cups are a washable and reusable alternative. Imagine never having to buy baking cups again! Silicone is a durable material that can theoretically be recycled, but many curbside recycling programs do not accept it because of difficulties associated with recycling. Although, silicone is more environmentally-friendly than other kitchen plastics because it is reusable and lasts for a long time.
There are two kinds of sustainable baking cups that are inexpensive, easy-to-use, and good for the environment! Firstly, there are biodegradable, compostable baking cups made from paper products. Most biodegradable baking cup companies sustainably source the trees that are being used to produce their product. Secondly, silicone baking cups are a washable and reusable alternative. Imagine never having to buy baking cups again! Silicone is a durable material that can theoretically be recycled, but many curbside recycling programs do not accept it because of difficulties associated with recycling. Although, silicone is more environmentally-friendly than other kitchen plastics because it is reusable and lasts for a long time.
Bamboo Products
There are a wide range of uses for bamboo in the kitchen, including bamboo utensils, bamboo cups and plates, bamboo paper towels and napkins, and bamboo cutting boards. Bamboo is a sustainable product because it is very fast growing and is actually an invasive species in many parts of North America, meaning removing bamboo is beneficial to the surrounding environment. Furthermore, all bamboo products are biodegradable as they are wood products.
There are a wide range of uses for bamboo in the kitchen, including bamboo utensils, bamboo cups and plates, bamboo paper towels and napkins, and bamboo cutting boards. Bamboo is a sustainable product because it is very fast growing and is actually an invasive species in many parts of North America, meaning removing bamboo is beneficial to the surrounding environment. Furthermore, all bamboo products are biodegradable as they are wood products.
Plant-Based Dish Soap
There are many environmentally-friendly brands, such as Seventh Generation and Dr. Bronner’s, that produce plant-based soap detergents. Dr. Bronner’s soap is especially useful because it is able to be used for a wide range of functions. Additionally, curbside recycling programs are able to easily recycle dish soap bottles. Traditional, factory-made soaps are mass produced in large fossil-fuel-burning factories and use many harmful chemicals. Plant-based soaps, on the other hand, can be homemade or made in some factories, but use a large combination of essential oils, such as hemp oil, peppermint oil, olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil to aid in cleaning.
There are many environmentally-friendly brands, such as Seventh Generation and Dr. Bronner’s, that produce plant-based soap detergents. Dr. Bronner’s soap is especially useful because it is able to be used for a wide range of functions. Additionally, curbside recycling programs are able to easily recycle dish soap bottles. Traditional, factory-made soaps are mass produced in large fossil-fuel-burning factories and use many harmful chemicals. Plant-based soaps, on the other hand, can be homemade or made in some factories, but use a large combination of essential oils, such as hemp oil, peppermint oil, olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil to aid in cleaning.
Tips!
Repurpose your containers! Store odds and ends, plant seeds and herbs, use them as flower vases, anything!
Buy seasonings, tomato sauces, oils, nut butters, jams, etc. in glass containers so that they can be recycled or repurposed.
If you must buy items with plastic packaging, make sure to properly recycle by returning the packaging to local grocery stores that recycle plastic. Most grocery stores have a plastic drop-off bin for your grocery bags and plastic packaging! Make sure to look for the recycling symbol that says “store drop-off” or “in store only.”
Repurpose your containers! Store odds and ends, plant seeds and herbs, use them as flower vases, anything!
Buy seasonings, tomato sauces, oils, nut butters, jams, etc. in glass containers so that they can be recycled or repurposed.
If you must buy items with plastic packaging, make sure to properly recycle by returning the packaging to local grocery stores that recycle plastic. Most grocery stores have a plastic drop-off bin for your grocery bags and plastic packaging! Make sure to look for the recycling symbol that says “store drop-off” or “in store only.”
1. McGee, Kimberley. "What Is a Cleaning Sponge Made Of?" Hunker, 23 Apr. 2018, www.hunker.com/12000091/what-is-a-cleaning-sponge-made-of.