9 Ways to Create a More Sustainable Kitchen & Less Waste

With the holidays right around the corner, it’s a great time to think of ways to make your kitchen more sustainable and less wasteful. According to the EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency), the average American will produce about 4.9 pounds of trash every day and the top three contributors are Food, Paper/Cardboard, and Plastics.

Start reducing your waste by changing old habits and adding some of these eco-friendly tools to your kitchen. We know sustainable habits are not created overnight, and are rarely effortless, but doing your best to set small attainable goals can ultimately lead to a passionate lifestyle change!

The holidays can be hectic, but your kitchen doesn't have to be. Start with a few (or all) of these eco-friendly kitchen swaps and you'll be on your way to producing less waste and save yourself some money to boot! It's a win-win!

1. Start Composting

With food being at the top of the list for material waste, composting is a great place to start! Not really sure where to start? Check out this informative article, "Composting 101" from the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) that will help you learn about the benefits of composting, how to begin, and which items should and should not be composted.  However, if you live in an urban area where having your own compost pile isn’t easily accessible, CompostNow.org has created a list of organizations that offer compost pick-up services.  Click here to find one in your area. 

2. Shop at Farmers Markets with Reusable Produce Bags

Choose to shop for your fruits and veggies at a farmers market in your area. Support small local businesses in your community and buy produce without unnecessary plastic packaging.  Just don’t forget to bring your reusable bag!  Our Duebest Reusable Mesh Bags are easy to keep a few in your bag (at all times), lightweight, and perfect for produce.

3. Choose Reusable Towels & Napkins

Instead of going through rolls and rolls of paper towels choose to invest in a few hand towels and cloth napkins. There are so many beautiful prints and eco-friendly options to choose from these days.  Keep a basket of your nice reusable napkins easily accessible for meals and one under the sink with rags for messy jobs made from repurposed t-shirts or towels.

4. Silicone Lids

Make meal cleanup a cinch this holiday season and beyond!  Our Duebest Silicone Stretch Lids are the perfect option to cover all your round containers. You can also use them to wrap over half-cut produce like melons and citrus. Our food-grade silicone set comes with 6 different sizes, leaving you feeling good about ditching the plastic wrap.

5. Make a Natural Cleaning Spray

Making your own natural cleaning spray is so simple!  All you really need is a spray bottle, water, and white vinegar, but if you want to get creative, we love this recipe from Good Housekeeping's article "8 Homemade Cleaners That Actually Work,"which includes a lemon rind and a few rosemary sprigs.  Check out the full list of easy-to-make home cleaners, but be sure to double check what cleaners should and should not be used on your kitchen surfaces.

6. Reusable Glass Straws

We all know that reusable straws have been trending for some time now and with the horrific statistic that 500 million plastic straws are used every day in the US alone, it’s a good idea to have a few on hand. Duebest’s Reusable Glass Straws are made from borosilicate glass, which makes them super durable and the clear glass is nice from a hygienic standpoint.  Each straw comes with a sleek carrying case and straw cleaner so you can always sip sustainably.  

7. Natural & Compostable Sponges

We all need a good sponge in the kitchen and what could be better than one that is all natural and compostable too!  Natural loofah’s are more commonly used in the shower (and great for exfoliating), but they also make a wonderful zero-waste addition to your kitchen!  In case you’re wondering, natural loofah’s are made from a fibrous vegetable found in the gourd family. Once it's dried and skinned, you're left with an all-natural, plastic-free sponge. The best part is that once your loofah’s had a good run, you can simply add it to your compost pile.

8. Reuse Glass Jars

There are plenty of items that come in glass jars from jelly and pickles, to tomato sauce and salsas. Instead of recycling your glass jars, start collecting them to repurpose.  The options are endless:

• Use them for food items like oils, herbs, nuts, rice, pasta, etc.
• Create a nice vase and fill them with fresh cut flowers and herbs from the garden. 
• Organize your arts and crafts.
• You may even want to use them for our next kitchen tip - growing food from food scraps!

9. Grow Your Own Using Food Scraps

It’s easy for the grocery bill to add up and it’s typically one of the highest expenses in a household. Consider re-growing your own food from your kitchen scraps and curb the amount you spend on groceries.  We love this list of 25 Foods You Can Re-Grow Yourself from items that would normally end up in the garbage or, hopefully, your compost!

About Duebest

Duebest began with two best friends over one bowl of egg noodles! We were at a restaurant in lower Manhattan when Daphne pulled out her own personal set of chopsticks. We never would have guessed that this small gesture would spark a whole chain of events! Today, we're doing our best to support the zero waste movement through our line of sustainably sourced products including our on-the-go reusable wooden cutlery set, reusable mesh produce bags, silicone stretch lids, and our reusable glass straw with case.