With the ever-growing population, the world is moving fast, so living a zero-waste lifestyle seems next to impossible. If you are determined to do your bit and save the environment, you could start by doing great things starting from your home. One of the first things you need to do is reduce the impact beginning in the kitchen.
However, this doesn’t seem easy in the modern world, but we can take small steps by trying or cutting down the waste by at least 50-90%. It would help if you remembered the kitchen is a waste-producing hub, so reducing waste in your kitchen is a great way to start. So, you can start with zero-waste kitchen products for everyday use and say no to plastic.
We have compiled the best easy tips for a zero-waste kitchen in this article. Here we have implemented a few of them, and it will help you move towards sustainable living.
1: Carry reusable jars, boxes, and bags
We all have heard about the danger of using plastic bags, but it is also a fact that we still rely on plastic materials like bags and boxes to get things done faster. So, if you are not in the habit of carrying reusable bags and boxes, then it’s time to start.
All it takes is a bit of adjustment and planning, and you need to prepare before you go out shopping. You need to make a list of the number of items you want to purchase, and by doing this, you will know how many boxes, bags, or jars you need to carry with you.
2: Grow your herbs
Unless you regularly shop at the farmer’s market, you find it quite hard to purchase fresh, package-free herbs like coriander, basil, and thyme. Thus, growing your leafy herbs is the best thing you can do if you go the zero-waste way. Also, herbs are easy to grow, and they can be done even in small spaces. In this way, you can grow them in pots to save on packaging.
3: Use your food scraps
One great way in order to reduce food wastage is by making maximum use of your food scraps. So, being resourceful is the key to looking for a zero-waste kitchen option. Other than making vegetable broth, you can also try different types of recipes available online. Thus, you need to start making use of eco friendly products and save the environment.
4: Compost leftover food scraps
Composting is the next best thing to do for food scraps that cannot be used to make recipes. Also, it is a process where organic matter is turned into nutrients and is great for plants. So, if you own a veggie garden, you can throw or dig your food scraps into the soil, take it a notch higher, and start using a composter.
5: Try zero-waste food preparation
The most challenging thing you will encounter when trying to go the no-waste way is preparing food. Also, it is not possible to get everything in bulk, and sometimes you have to opt for packaged food; at this point, you have two options:
1: You started to compromise and convince yourself that you are doing your best.
2: You started to turn your sleeves up and master the zero-waste food prep and cooking technique.
So, if you plan to go with the second option, then it’s going to take a lot of hard work at first. But with time and patience, you will master it. Food preparation involves making your food from the beginning. And it is easy to pick packaged food from the store simply, but the benefits of making food from scratch are not only affordable but a healthy option as well.
In this way, you have to take care of things like blending and soaking and getting things done well in advance, and planning ahead of time is a great way to manage their lifestyle. Another advantage is that you get to know exactly what goes into food, and there should be no added preservatives and unhealthy ingredients.
6: Purchase Food Items in Bulk
It is a great solution, especially if you have a pantry solution to store all your food items. It is an essential tip to create the perfect zero-waste kitchen. One of the best ways to go about this is to collect glass jars that help you to recycle or store all your bulk food items.
So, make sure that you wash all the jars well by soaking them in hot water and getting rid of the smell and grease. Moreover, it also helps to get stubborn labels off. And the next step is to label your jars and mention the expiry dates in order to eliminate unnecessary impulsive shopping as you will only purchase what you need to fill up the jars.
You can stack up on nuts, oats, flours, rice, dried fruits, spices, herbs, sugars, and cleaning products that you can buy in bulk and store. This also helps eliminate unwanted packaging that comes with every small purchase.
7: Cleaning Hacks
Kitchen cleaning products mainly include brushes, cloths, sponges, and detergents. But most brushes and sponges are available in supermarkets and are mostly made using plastic. When cleaning, brands are making an effort to improve by switching to natural formulas that still come in plastic bottles.
So, it would help if you tried to buy cleaning products that you can purchase in bulk. It contains laundry powder, dishwasher powder, liquid in, cleaners, and bathroom cleaner. You can also try to get your hands on biodegradable brushes made from coconut, bamboo handles, and palm fibers.
8: Watch Coffee and tea waste
We all are obsessed with coffee and teacups. However, coffee pods and tea bags are either made of or packaged using plastic, which is sustainable and wasteful. Thus, you can try some easy tips like replacing tea bags with bulk or purchasing whole or ground coffee beans in bulk or large packets. You can also look for suppliers by using paper packaging instead of plastic packaging.
Conclusion
These were the easiest zero-waste tips that you can follow for sustainable living. It might be possible that you find it stressful and frustrating in the beginning, but the idea is to keep moving in the right direction, and you find that things get much easier with patience and time.
