14 Easy Things That You Can Do Every Day To Make Your Kitchen More Eco-Friendly Without a Costly Remodel

Your kitchen generates the most waste of any space in your home. If you’re looking for ways to make your kitchen more eco-friendly without enduring a complete remodel, check out these tips from our team below!

1. Use reusable stretch lids in lieu of single-use plastic. Stretch lids are a versatile and cost-effective solution to replace single-use plastic wrap. Check out this option from our store that makes saving leftovers a green breeze.
2. Eat local, seasonal produce when possible. Eating local and in-season cuts down on emissions, refrigeration, and packaging costs.
3. Pack snacks in reusable silicone bags. Ditch the Ziploc for a more permanent storage option. Save money and further reduce plastic waste. Try these reusable bags - perfect for the fridge, freezer, or lunch box. 
4. Repurpose food waste. Fruit peels can be used to infuse water or alcohol (limoncello anyone?), and stale bread can be used for bread crumbs or croutons. Carrot tops can be used to make a lovely pesto or chimichurri.
5. Keep a towel close by. Keeping a towel at hand will help you resist the temptation to grab for the paper roll. Check out this sponge and towel faucet organizer as well as these quick-grab sucker hangers from our store!
6. Don’t pre-rinse before putting dishes in the dishwasher. Your dishwasher can handle it! Pre-rinsing is usually unnecessary and a waste of water. If you have some severely stuck-on food, soaking in a large bowl will better help to reduce water waste. 
7. Buy and cook in bulk. Buying in bulk cuts down on packaging, and will also help you save money! Cooking in bulk cuts down on energy use. Leftovers will also cut down on time needed to craft healthy meals throughout the week. It’s a win-win-win! Check out our store for options that help with the last step – food storage – such as this handheld heat sealer.
8. Grow your own herbs. Using home-grown herbs not only gives you a sense of pride in your self-sufficiency but also cuts down on packaging waste and transportation pollution.  
9. Switch to loose-leaf teas. Not only are they often higher quality, but loose-leaf teas also require less packaging and can be purchased in bulk. Try our reusable tea infuser ball with your favorite loose-leaf teas.
10. Go beyond recycling and upcycle. Repurpose glass fruit, pasta sauce, and baby food jars. These can be used for storing homemade concoctions, the aforementioned limoncello, or used in crafting — try Pinterest for some creative ideas!
11. Ditch the pods. You may love your single serve coffee or espresso machine, but those excess pods generate a lot of waste. Try using a reusable steel capsule, like this one, for your Nespresso machine.
12. Develop a weekly meal plan. Planning out your meals before hitting the grocery store can help reduce food waste by utilizing the same ingredients for multiple meals and cutting down on unnecessary purchases. 
13. Dry out your sponges. Dry sponges last longer and don’t collect as much bacteria – meaning you can get by with fewer sponges over time. We have two sponge draining options: this one that attaches to the inside of your sink, and this one that attaches to your faucet.
14. Donate what you don’t use. Do a monthly (or quarterly - we don’t judge!) clean out of your pantry and donate any canned or non-perishable items that you haven’t used in a while.

Cutting down on waste – whether it be food, water, or supplies – can make your kitchen more eco-friendly from day to day without having to undergo drastic, costly changes. When it comes to a greener lifestyle, every little action helps! Check out our store today to see how we can help make being kinder to the environment part of your everyday life.