Zero-waste living: Kitchen
Kitchens are no doubt the biggest culprit of wastage in the home. If you stop and think about it, the amount of plastic created in our shopping, cooking and cleaning is mind-boggling! However, it’s also easy to change! There are simple green swaps you can take to make your green dream a reality.
Plastic waste in the environment is a real environmental concern. In years to come, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish! With so many options for plastic use in the kitchen, it’s one of the areas of the home where we can really make an impact. Implementing even a few of these ideas will greatly reduce the negative effects our kitchens have on the environment. Over time, your small changes will make a big impact!
Here are 8 important areas to consider for a zero-waste kitchen.
Mindful shopping
One of the best ways we can reduce waste by not bringing it into your home in the first place! These ideas will help you get started:
Opt for reusable bags when shopping so you can refuse single-use plastic as much as possible
Avoid pre-packaged and convenience foods. Instead go for fresh fruit and veggies. Your digestive system will thank you too!
Opt for mesh bags for your fruit and veggies, and bring reusable containers to the butcher or fishmonger for your protein.
Shopping at farmers markets or wet-markets is a great option for fresh veggies and other bits and pieces (and it’s usually plastic-free)
It’s important to vote with our dollars. If we stop buying plastic-wrapped goods, companies will have to reassess their packaging
Shop your kitchen
Instead of heading to the shops, or succumbing to takeout, why not shop your kitchen instead! Shopping your kitchen is a fun way to use up what you have before it goes off.
Start with your fridge and pull out the fruit and veggies that are getting past their best. Then head to your pantry cupboard and see what you have that might work well
Google the ingredients you have and often you’ll chance upon a great recipe. If in doubt - make soup!
Don’t be afraid to use veggies that are a bit past their best. They can be revived in soups, risottos or even baked (but don’t use anything that’s mouldy).
Plastic-free cleaning
Cleaning products are often packaged in single-use plastic. Dishcloths and brushes are usually plastic and are not biodegradable. Some plastics will take hundreds of years to break down, so it’s best to avoid them as much as possible.
Opt for dishwashing soap blocks instead of detergent - we love the No Tox Life dishwashing block
Use a bamboo dish brush with bristles made from agave
There are also a lot of fantastic ideas for homemade cleaning products that reduce the plastic packaging too
Reusables
All the reusable items (such as bags, cups, lunchboxes, cutlery, straws and so on) are only as good as the number of times we use them!
A cotton tote bag needs to be reused a whopping 173 times to be deemed eco-friendly! In other words, you need to use it every day for 4 months to make it a better alternative than going for single-use items. Question whether you really need to impulse-buy another cotton tote at the fast fashion outlets!
Keep your items handy so you remember to take them with you. Challenge yourself! If you forget, go without. That’s a sure-fire way to never forget your reusable coffee cup again!
Food wastage
One of the biggest issues facing the planet at the moment is food wastage. Most households waste an incredible 1/3 of the food they purchase. And food makes up around 50% of all items in landfills!
This might not seem like a big issue because the food will just break down, right? Wrong! Food requires sufficient sunlight and air to break down. Without these elements, it will rot and release methane gas which is very harmful to the environment.
Composting is a great solution to this problem. For those of us who live in small apartments why not go for a Bokashi bin. Bokashi uses the fermentation process to break food down more quickly and without the smell.
If you feel composting is in the too hard basket, swap your food waste instead. Check out programs like Sharewaste - a platform that connects people who have food waste with people who can use it. Search the site to find someone who is able to make use of your food waste in your local area. It’s an ideal solution for those of us without much of a garden.
Food storage
Of course, the best way to decrease the amount of food we waste is by eating it! Keep it fresh longer by storing it well.
Ditch the cling film or foil and instead opt for beeswax wraps. The bright colours will liven up your fridge too!
Opt for reusable containers. Glass is best but the best container is the one you already own (you know those Tupperwares that you’ve had for 10 years…) or just cover your bowl with a plate!
Eat your leftovers the following day so you know they're fresh. A budget-friendly lunch!
A weekly meal plan is a great way to plan and buy just the right amount of food. It also helps reduce those impulse purchases. Plan for 1 night per week to use up your leftovers or shop your kitchen.
Reuse what you have
Before you put your recyclable items out for curbside collection, consider what you can reuse in your home.
Glass jars are great for keeping dry goods (such as flour, grains, nuts, and legumes) fresh, and they bring a rustic aesthetic too. In our kitchen, we have Vegemite and jam jars lined up with popcorn, quinoa and lentils.
Cardboard boxes are great for storing kids’ toys, or being used for craft (upcycled cardboard rocket ship, anyone?), or a toy for your pet.
Recycle
We all know that recycling isn't the silver bullet. However, it does have an important role to play in the circular economy. It can also help keep plastic waste out of the environment. Only include clean, recyclable materials in the collection to avoid contamination of larger collections.
Every small change counts
The kitchen can a difficult area to master on the zero-waste journey, but any small step we can take to reduce plastic in our homes and daily lives is big positive. This way, we are significantly reducing the risk of it ending up in nature. Every small change counts.
What’s the best eco-friendly swap you’ve made in your kitchen? Let us know in the comments below!
The kitchen can be a difficult area to master on the zero-waste journey, but any small step we can take to reduce plastic in our homes and daily lives is a big positive.