10 Ways To Start A Zero Waste Kitchen 

There are many reasons why you might want to start a zero waste kitchen. Maybe you are looking to reduce your environmental impact, decrease household expenses or live an overall healthier lifestyle (by reducing chemical products and over-processed foods). Whatever the reasons may be, we are here to help!

It is quite hard to be completely zero waste, but there are a few things you can do to shift your lifestyle and swap products in your house to reduce single-use products and lower the waste in your household. Here are our ten practical ways to start a zero waste kitchen and begin your journey to sustainable living.

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1. Use Reusable Alternatives

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to reduce kitchen waste is by replacing disposable items with reusable alternatives. These items not only eliminate the need for single-use plastics but also contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. Here are a few kitchen staples that you can swap for reusable alternatives to start creating your zero waste kitchen.

• Beeswax wraps are a great natural alternative to plastic wrap and can help prevent food spoilage. They are commonly used to wrap food items and cover bowls or containers.
• Reusable shopping bags are perfect for grocery hauls and can be washed and reused. Many grocery stores have made the change from single-use plastic bags to recyclable paper bags or useable shopping bags.
• Stainless steel straws are durable and eco-friendly alternatives to plastic straws. They do not bend or break and are easy to clean.
• Glass containers can keep food longer, contain no harsh chemicals and can be reused numerous times. Depending on the brand, most glass containers are freezer, microwave and oven-safe.
• Reusable paper towels can be used to replace single-use paper towels. It is reusable, long-lasting, sturdy and economical. Simply wash your cloth paper towel and hang it to dry before reusing.
• Silicone baking sheets make for a great alternative to parchment paper and can be used for both sweet and savoury baking. They are easy to clean, reusable and help distribute heat evenly.
• Biodegradable sponges are a natural and sustainable way to clean your home and dishes that are completely composable and a great alternative to synthetic sponges.

2. Plan Your Meals

Planning meals in advance helps to minimize food waste by ensuring that you only buy what you need. It’s easy to overspend if you go into the grocery store without a list. We used to go into the story and just buy foods we liked without having a meal in mind for those items and realized we were wasting so much.

By creating a weekly meal plan, making a shopping list based on that and sticking to it while grocery shopping, you will notice that you waste less food. Additionally, you can incorporate leftover items into future meals to reduce food waste further.

Meal planning also allows you to maximize the use of ingredients across multiple dishes. For example, if you buy a bunch of fresh herbs for one recipe, you can plan to use the remaining herbs in other meals throughout the week. This reduces the likelihood of ingredients languishing in the back of the fridge and ultimately being thrown away.

3. Buy in Bulk

Purchasing items in bulk is a win-win as it reduces packaging waste and often saves money in the long run. Numerous food items can be purchased in bulk and stored long-term such as non-dairy milks, grains, legumes, nuts, and spices.

Depending on where you live, you may have a package-free shop such as the Tare Shop, which lets you bring your own containers to refill and buy household items in bulk, thus eliminating the need for single-use packaging. This approach not only reduces plastic waste but also often results in cost savings since bulk items typically have lower unit prices compared to their pre-packaged counterparts.

Additionally, bulk buying encourages consumers to be more mindful of their consumption habits and to plan their purchases more thoughtfully, ultimately promoting a more sustainable approach to shopping and cooking.

4. Compost Food Scraps

Instead of sending food scraps to landfills where they contribute to methane emissions, start composting. Set up a small compost bin in your kitchen or a larger composter in your backyard provides a convenient solution for disposing of fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, and other organic materials. As these materials break down, they undergo a natural process of decomposition, facilitated by microorganisms, worms, and other composting organisms. The resulting compost, often referred to as “black gold,” is a valuable soil amendment that improves soil structure, fertility, and moisture retention, supporting healthy plant growth and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.

Additionally, if you have backyard hens, you can feed them the majority of your food scraps. There are some food items that chickens should not have, including spoiled or rotten foods. Personally, we feed our chickens all the food scraps that are chicken-friendly and put the rest into our composter until it’s ready to use in our garden.

5. Choose Sustainable Packaging

When buying packaged goods, opt for products with minimal or eco-friendly packaging as it can help to reduce plastic waste and minimize the environmental impact of your household consumption. Look for items packaged in recyclable materials or compostable packaging, such as cardboard, paper, glass, or plant-based plastics.

Additionally, support brands that prioritize sustainability and offer refillable options for household staples like cleaning products and pantry items. By consciously selecting products with sustainable packaging, you can contribute to reducing plastic pollution and support the shift towards a circular economy.

As an added bonus, choosing sustainable packaging sends a clear message to manufacturers and retailers that consumers value environmentally friendly options, encouraging them to invest in more sustainable packaging solutions and practices.

6. Preserve Fresh Produce

Extend the life of fresh produce by properly storing it and utilizing preservation techniques such as pickling, fermenting, and canning. This can help you ensure seasonal produce year-round while minimizing the need for packaged and processed foods.

Preservation methods like pickling and fermenting not only preserve the nutritional value of fresh produce but also add flavour and diversity to meals plus can help with digestive health thanks to the fermentation process. Additionally, canning allows you to preserve your pickled and fermented foods, along with other homemade items such as jams, sauces and soups.

7. Make Your Own Cleaning Products

Making your own household cleaner is a simple yet impactful way to minimize waste and reduce exposure to harmful chemicals in the home.

You can make your own cleaners using natural ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils, that are safe, eco-friendly, and budget-friendly. Vinegar, with its acidic properties, serves as a powerful disinfectant and degreaser while baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive and deodorizer. Essential oils like tea tree oil and lemon oil add antimicrobial properties and pleasant scents to homemade cleaners.

Not only do DIY cleaning products eliminate the need for single-use plastic bottles and harsh chemicals found in commercial cleaners, but they also offer peace of mind knowing exactly what ingredients are used in your home.

8. Opt For Sustainable Cookware

Sustainable cookware is not only eco-friendly but it also lasts longer and does not include harmful chemicals like PFOA such as cookware covered in non-stick coating. Cookware made from stainless steel, cast iron, glass and ceramic are all great options to have in your kitchen that are durable and high-quality, minimizing the need for frequent replacements and reducing waste over time.

Sustainable cookware is often made from recycled materials or sourced from responsible manufacturers committed to reducing their environmental impact. By investing in durable, high-quality cookware, individuals can minimize the need for frequent replacements and reduce waste over time.

9. Practice Mindful Consumption

Mindful consumption involves being intentional and aware of the choices we make as consumers, considering the environmental, social, and ethical implications of our purchases. This includes choosing quality over quantity, and investing in durable and long-lasting products that are ethically produced and environmentally friendly. It also involves being mindful of our consumption habits, avoiding impulse purchases, only buying what we truly need and repairing, donating or recycling items you no longer use.

Additionally, mindful consumption extends to considering the life cycle of products, from production to disposal, and choosing items that have minimal environmental impact throughout their entire lifespan. By practicing mindful consumption, individuals can reduce waste, conserve resources, and promote a more sustainable and equitable world for present and future generations.

10. Educate & Inspire Others

Educating and inspiring others is a powerful way to multiply the impact of efforts toward creating a zero waste kitchen and promoting sustainable living. By sharing knowledge, experiences, and resources with friends, family, and community members, individuals can raise awareness about the importance of reducing waste and adopting eco-friendly practices.

This can be done through various means, such as organizing workshops, hosting community events, or simply engaging in conversations about sustainability. By leading by example and demonstrating the benefits of a zero waste lifestyle, individuals can inspire others to take action and make positive changes in their own lives. Not to mention, doing this helps to build a supportive network of like-minded individuals and a sense of community and collective empowerment, reinforcing the idea that small individual actions can lead to significant collective impact.