Responsibility is essential in every aspect of our lives, and the kitchen is no exception. There are many ways to make your kitchen more sustainable; we will explore some of them in this blog post. For example, zero-waste cooking is a great way to reduce your environmental impact, and it can also save you money! We will also discuss some other ways to make your kitchen more eco-conscious. With a little bit of effort, you can make your kitchen more sustainable and help protect our planet!
Buy in bulk – and avoid plastic
When you go shopping, try to buy your groceries in bulk.
Buying in bulk saves money and is also good for the planet. When you buy in bulk, avoid plastic! Go for Aluminium, glass, stainless steel, or paper. Remember that the product you buy, from food to dish soap, should be linked to reusable products. Many cleaning products come in plastic packaging. Buy a container and purchase refills instead of buying small plastic items for single use!
You avoid spending money on bags and decrease transport pollution by buying in bulk.
Buy local
An eco-conscious kitchen begins when you shop! Buy local whenever possible – research if there is a farmers market near you, and buy your produce there. You support your local community while also taking care of the planet by doing that. Remember to bring a reusable bag instead of using those made from plastic. I always carry a simple tote bag. Produce bags are almost always made from plastic. So ditch the plastic bags and bring your own!
Go vegan!
There are many reasons to cut down on your meat. Besides doing it for the animals and your health, you should consider introducing veganism into your diet because of the environment too!
When you avoid animal products, you lower your carbon footprint significantly. Both meat and other animal products place a heavy burden on the environment – think of the crops and water required to feed the animals, the transportation, and every other process that occurs from farm to fork. All over the world, you can find more and more green options in almost every city you visit.
Silicone baking mat
Consider the things you have in your kitchen. For example, almost every time you use your oven, you use parchment paper and foil. Unfortunately, both are single-use products or only last a few times. Instead, try a BPA-free silicone baking mat. It is a great alternative that lets you bake your veggies and bread with zero waste! They are also dishwasher safe!
Wooden Cooking Utensils
Another thing you might consider switching up is your cooking utensils.
Zero-waste and eco-consciousness means not consuming more than you need. My tip is to use the ones you already have, whether plastic or not, and then buy wooden utensils whenever they need replacing!
Plan your meals and keep track of what you have
Food waste is a massive problem in the world. It is easy to forget what you have in the fridge. Plan your meals according to what you have in your fridge, and keep track of what you have to limit your food waste to a minimum. Keep your veggies fresh and store your food correctly.
Grow your own Herbs
Grow your herbs! Many of the herbs you see in the supermarket are harvested to die. They are planted in tiny plastic pots with hardly any soil. However, many of the herbs you use in your daily life are growable at home! And then you’ll always have fresh herbs for whatever you are eating. Win-win!
So, find a great place to grow them and get going! Some herbs are re-growable, so you only have to purchase them once. Otherwise, you can visit your local plant store and get the plant!
By refurbished or used appliances
Try to buy refurbished or used appliances when you buy appliances instead of opting for a whole new kitchen. By looking into other options, you can save big money while also being more eco-conscious. For example, a dishwasher uses less water than if you handwash your dishes.
Avoid single purpose
No matter what purpose, you should always avoid products made for a single purpose. This is everything from plastic bottles to plastic straws. Notice what you have in your kitchen made for a single-use purpose, and switch them to a zero-waste alternative! This is one of the many affordable ways to buy eco-conscious kitchen products.
Cloth Napkins
Paper towels are something most people have in their kitchen. We all grew up with them, and they are convenient! But have you thought about how quickly you go through them? Try to use cloth napkins instead. Cotton napkins can be washed and used repeatedly, while paper towels can only be used a single time. By switching to cloth napkins, you save money and plastic, as you don’t have to restock them repeatedly.
Glass containers
Use glass containers in your kitchen! You can also opt for containers that are made out of stainless steel. A bonus is to get microwave-safe containers, so you don’t have to use two different containers to prepare your food. We do not urge you to get rid of the plastic containers that you already have in your kitchen! An eco-conscious kitchen is a kitchen that makes the most out of everything that it already contains. Please don’t feel bad about your plastic food storage containers. Use them until they can’t anymore, and opt for glass or stainless steel containers when you need new ones. Remember to get some that are dishwasher safe.
Freeze your leftovers
Another way to keep your food waste to a minimum is to freeze your leftovers. By freezing your leftovers, you avoid forgetting food in the fridge, leading them to go bad. In addition, many food containers are freezer safe. You also have easy meals for lazy days! You have to take the food out of the freezer and into the microwave or the oven! Win-win.
Use alternative food wraps
Beeswax wraps are typically made from organic cotton, wrapped with responsible harvested beeswax, jojoba oil, and tree resin. It is an alternative to other food wraps like cling film and aluminum foil. Cling film is not compostable, and although foil is, it takes a lot of energy and water to produce. Beeswax wraps are washable, reusable, and compostable. In addition, they are leakproof, so they can be used as an alternative to plastic lids to cower bowls and plates. They can also be used as a food wrap.
Recycle properly!
Read up on how to recycle correctly. There is a lot of recyclable packaging in your kitchen that you might not think about. When you recycle correctly, materials are converted into new products, reducing the need to consume natural resources, which helps to protect natural habitats for the future. It saves energy, and it helps protect the environment. In addition, it helps reduce air and water pollution. Look up your local recycling rules and make sure you follow them.
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Thank you for reading!
So, what can you do to make your kitchen more sustainable? Plenty! You can start by making small changes that will have a significant impact over time. Then, try some of the suggestions we’ve shared in this post and see how they work for you. If you want to be more eco-conscious and take your efforts up a notch, check out our other posts on ways to live more responsibly. We hope these tips help you create a healthy kitchen for both you and the environment. What are some of your favorite ways to make your kitchen more eco-conscious?