At Sasya, we believe in creating our products in a sustainable and eco-friendly way. We pay close attention to the entire lifecycle of our products, from how they are produced, how they are retailed, to how they are consumed and then, ultimately, how they are discarded. In our experience, living sustainably does not have to be expensive or time-consuming, although it does require changes in habit and a change in your overall mindset. Given that your kitchen is one of the places within your home that produces the most waste, making changes here can be especially challenging, but also incredibly impactful. In this post, we will describe 10 simple changes that can make your kitchen more sustainable.
#1 Glass tupperware. Try swapping out plastic containers for glass tupperware for storing food. Glass containers are more durable and last much longer than their plastic counterparts. Also, no chemicals are leaked into your food!
#2 Biodegradable sponges. Typical sponges are plastic-based and contain materials like polyurethane, synthetic foam, and chemicals. There are many eco-friendly sponge alternatives on the market, a few of which are listed here. The great thing about biodegradable sponges is they can be composted once they’ve reached the end of their life. You can also extend the life of your sponges by sticking them in the microwave for a few minutes to kill germs!
#3 Compost. Compost anything that comes from nature: fruit and vegetable food scraps, coffee grounds, egg shells, yard waste, and more. These items decompose to a nutrient rich soil, which can then be used for the growth of new plants.
#4 Cloth over paper towels. Use cloth napkins instead of paper, cloth dish towels instead of paper towels, and handkerchiefs instead of tissues. You can even replace paper towels with rags (made from cut up old t-shirts!) for cleaning purposes. The great thing about using cloth is it can be washed after each use and reused many times.
#5 Homemade multi-surface cleaner. If you make your own cleaner, you avoid the harmful chemicals left behind when using store-bought cleaners. An all natural solution can be created by mixing water and white vinegar. Creating your own mixture is also cheaper, and cuts down on plastic waste. We’ve linked an easy DIY cleaner here.
#6 Reusable food wraps. Replace plastic wrap and aluminum foil with reusable wraps! These can come in a few different materials, for example, cotton cloth coated in plant based wax or beeswax. They can be easily cleaned by wiping with diluted dish soap.
#7 Stop single use! This one has many elements to it. Stop using single use water bottles, plastic cups, plastic bags, single use coffee cups, straws etc. Replace these with reusable alternatives, such as a metal water bottle, reusable shopping bags, reusable coffee mugs, and glass or stainless steel reusable straws.
#8 Buy in bulk. Whether it be dish soap or dry goods, buying bulk is a great way to reduce packaging waste and save money.
#9 Use durable kitchenware. When purchasing kitchenware, invest in high-quality, durable utensils, cutting boards, and pots and pans. Although some high-quality kitchenware can be a bit expensive, you will never have to buy a new pot or pan again if you invest in a good one! For example, a cast iron skillet will last you a lifetime, and is an incredibly versatile cooking tool.
#10 Mindfully recycle. Before throwing something away, take a moment to think about whether the item can be recycled. Educate yourself on your local recycling regulations, and know what can and cannot be recycled in your area. This site provides a list of links to each state’s recycling guide.