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Think about all the single-use items that you buy again and again. Products like sandwich bags, paper towels, and plastic wrap go straight to the trash can when you’re done with them, and from there, they either end up in a landfill or in the ocean. Tossed food scraps also end up in landfills, where they can release methane into the atmosphere.
Luckily, a lot of these products are quite easy to replace. From silicone zip bags to compostable dish brushes, there are tons of products that can be reused, composted, or responsibly recycled.
If you’re looking to cut back on single-use products around your home, one of the best places to start is in the kitchen. Here are our favorite zero-waste kitchen swaps that won’t end up in a landfill when it’s time for a new one.
Pack snacks and trinkets in a zip bag made to last.
Credit: Stasher
Plastic zipper storage bags are used once then go straight to the trash, but these silicone bags are built to last. They’re made out of food-grade silicone, are microwave- and dishwasher-safe, and come in a variety of sizes. This starter bundle for $54.99 will wean you off Ziplocs as painlessly as possible.
Never use another plastic produce bag again.
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Even though some stores make compostable produce bags, bringing your own is still a better move. Loose fruits or veggies can go right into these bags and into your shopping cart. They’re also breathable, which is a plus for your produce. Grab this set of five for $15.55.
Say goodbye to stained, cracked plastic containers.
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Invest in some high-quality plastic-free storage. This stainless steel set comes with eight different sizes for $74.88, complete with leak-proof silicone lids to prevent spills.
This dish brush can be composted at the end of its life.
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Once your plastic dish brush gets gross, some parts of it might be recycled, but the head will likely go straight to a landfill. This $12.59 compostable dish brush has a brush head made of natural tampico fiber and a handle made of beechwood, both of which can biodegrade. Once the brush head looks a little dingy, you can toss it in the compost and replace it with a new one.
Keep your reusable bottles crystal clean.
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By now you likely have a reusable water bottle to cut down on plastic bottle waste. This compostable bottle brush will help you keep your bottle sparkling clean. The bristles and the handle are completely compostable, and the metal wiring can be placed in your home recycling bin. Keep your bottles clean for just $21.99.
Grease and grime are no match for these compostable sponges.
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If your kitchen regularly needs heavy-duty scrubbing, try a compostable sponge instead of your old synthetic version. These sponges come in a set of 12 for $17.49, and are made of plant fibers like coconut husk and cellulose that will help get all the grime off your dishes and counters. Once they need to be replaced, just toss them in the compost and grab a new one.
If you drink coffee every day, make it more eco-friendly with a metal french press.
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Ditch takeout coffee cups for something more eco-friendly. This french press is completely plastic-free, durable, and doesn’t require a disposable coffee filter to make a solid cuppa joe. It’s also made of durable stainless steel, so if you drop it, it won’t break. Make your coffee habit plastic-free for $38.99.
Keurigs don’t have to be bad for the environment.
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If you have a fancy Keurig that you don’t want to give up, don’t worry. Just grab some of these reusable K-Cup pods (they come in a four pack for $8.95) and fill them with your favorite bulk coffee. You’ll throw out way less plastic, and you’ll be able to use coffee that doesn’t come in K-Cups — it’s a win-win.
Loose leaf tea is the way to sip.
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It’s not common knowledge, but most teabags are reinforced with small amounts of plastic, which means they can’t be properly recycled or composted. Take the guesswork out of your tea waste and grab a stainless steel, fine mesh tea infuser for $6.64.
Stop buying dish soap packaged in plastic.
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Conventional dish soap is packaged in plastic bottles, but this Cleancult dish soap comes in a paper-based recyclable carton. The soap itself is coconut oil-based and non-toxic, too. Just pour one of these refills into your empty plastic dish soap bottle to reuse it. Score a three pack for $30.39, or pick up a box of eco-friendly dishwasher tablets for $14.24.
Making your own cleaning products is easy with a cute reusable spray bottle.
Credit: Just like Joan
Making your own cleaning products is simple and easy, but you’ll need a spray bottle to store your DIY cleaner in. This cute glass bottle has a non-slip silicone sleeve and is dishwasher safe, too. Buy one for $18.99.
Reduce your paper waste too, while you’re at it.
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You probably throw out thousands of paper towels each year that contribute to landfill waste, but you don’t have to. These not-paper towels have the same look and absorbency of regular paper towels, but they can be washed and reused again and again. One roll goes for $20.95 and comes with ten towels.
Absorbent, durable Swedish dishcloths are heavy hitters in the kitchen.
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Even if you can’t commit 100% to ditching paper towels, these Swedish dishcloths will help you get into the habit of using a reusable towel to clean. Swedish dishcloths can replace your old cleaning sponges, paper towels, and rags — and since they’re made of organic cotton and wood-based cellulose pulp, they’re biodegradable, too. Snag a two pack for $7.99.
Use them for compost or trash.
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Until you truly master being zero waste, you’ll probably still have some trash to throw away. These plant-based trash bags are biodegradable and plastic-free, and are ideal for storing your compost in. A 50-count pack runs for $20.95.
Single-use plastic bottles? No thanks, we’ll filter our own water.
Credit: Berkey
Single-use plastic water bottles should be a thing of the past, but if you’re stuck on the quality of bottled water, there are other options. This Berkey filter is one of the strongest water filters on the market and also takes out heavy metals like lead and mercury, so you’ll have healthy, crystal-clear drinking water without any plastic waste. Get a 1.5 gallon system and two filters for $362.
Ditch plastic wrap for good.
Credit: Bee’s Wrap
This reusable food storage is made of natural cotton fibers and fortified with beeswax, jojoba oil, and tree resin to help it cling to surfaces like plastic wrap does. Wrap up a sandwich, half a lemon, or a bowl of leftovers to store overnight — no waste required. Snag an assorted set of three for $18.
Swap parchment paper and foil for a reusable silicone baking mat.
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A single good silicone baking mat will replace tons of aluminum foil and parchment paper. You’ll get even better non-stick protection with a Silpat, and the best part is that you can wash it and use it again and again. A single mat costs $22.99.
Make ice cubes in fun shapes at home.
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Silicone molds are an easy alternative to bagged ice and plastic ice cube trays, and they come in fun shapes, too. This two-pack costs $12.97 and comes with big cubes and a spherical tray — perfect for fancy cocktails.
You know that plastic straws are bad for the ocean, so switch to a reusable metal one instead.
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You’ve heard of this one, and you might already have a few, but metal straws are one of the easiest zero-waste swaps to make. This set is only $6.99 and comes with two bendy straws, two straight ones, a cloth carrying case and a straw brush to keep them all clean. Toss the whole bag in your purse or backpack before you head to grab your morning coffee, and you won’t need to send another plastic straw to the trash can.
Composting means less food waste in landfills.
Credit: Utopia Kitchen
Getting into composting? You’ll need a bin to keep those food scraps in until you take them out, and this stainless-steel one is perfect for indoor use. It comes with a built-in charcoal filter, which keeps the odors inside the bucket, and not in your home. Get your compost game going for $26.34.
Even if there’s no compost facility near you, you can still reduce your food waste.
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The zero waste lifestyle may sound great, but if you don’t have access to a compost facility, it means all your food scraps are going into the trash and to a landfill. You don’t have to give up on your eco-conscious lifestyle dreams, though: This Vitamix food cycler lets you compost at home. It creates a nutrient-rich fertilizer from your food scraps, and is odor-free, so you can use it inside with minimal smells. Get a two-liter capacity system for $399.95.
