We've all been there: taking out the trash week by week wondering how the heck it got so full, so fast. For me, the first place I notice the phenomena is in the kitchen as that's where our largest trash bin is. In transitioning to a more sustainable home, I often found the kitchen the most frustrating. It seems like nearly every food nowadays is wrapped in single-use plastic, and the amount of washing and cleaning required in a kitchen often lends itself to further waste production. Below I've listed 3 common kitchen supplies staples that end up in a landfill, and are costing you extra money. These items can be eliminated completely, or swapped out for more sustainable alternatives. Any alternatives I have used myself and recommend are also listed. Happy saving!
1. Paper Towels
Fine I'll admit it...I was a Costco pack of paper towel type of gal, BLOWING through it faster than I'd like to admit. It became a habit. Washing produce? Paper towel. Spills? Paper towel. Don't wanna use a plate? Paper towel. The list goes on. It wasn't until I had fewer roommates when I realized just how much I was going through. I was having a conversation with a local small business owner where she made the anecdote of "'you're just buying your trash"'. And I had not heard a more true statement in a very long time. Buying paper towel is the same thing as quite literally throwing your money away.
Sustainable Swap: Reusable Paper Towels/Cloths/Rags
The easiest way to make the transition and break the habit of reaching for the paper towels I have found is to stop buying them. Cold Turkey. ***Please get use out of the rest you have, or donate them, as tossing an unused pack is the opposite of what we stand for here at Imperfectly Sustainable. We want to get the most use out of what we have.*** Truly there is no need to purchase reusable paper towels if you have some rags or cloths laying around, use those instead. BUT if you're like me and your other kitchen towels are absolutely disgusting and used for extreme messes, it might make more sense to have a designated towel of some kind for food. Rags or cloths can be thrown in the washing machine and reused time and time again, and the reusable paper towels can either be washed in the dishwasher or washing machine (read package instructions). If reusable paper towel is something that interests you, there are many versions out there now but I recommend the standalone sheets, one version of which can be purchased here.
2. Ziploc/ Plastic Bags
Theyre SO easy for packing snacks and lunches, I get it. But once again we find ourselves facing the point of "we're just buying our trash". This one was a much easier switch for me as you're not really breaking a habit as you are with the paper towels, but more so substituting in a better alternative to your existing food storage methods.
Sustainable Swap: Tupperware or Silicone Bags
If you already have a set of tupperware, try and start utilizing it as a replacement for plastic baggies as it can be washed and reused countless times. There are times when bags just work better, which is where the silicone bags come into play. I also love these because they are freezer safe. I use mine to pack snacks on the go, and to freeze fruit like bananas or berries. You can find different versions of these bags at nearly any large grocery store, I get mine from Target, but there are countless versions online as well. You can find some on amazon here.
3. Parchment/Wax Paper/Plastic Wrap/Tin Foil
I'm lumping these baking and food storage products together because they all used to share a drawer in my kitchen. Parchment and wax paper were often used interchangeably in my household, either for preventing food sticking to baking sheets, or to prevent layers of baked goods from sticking together in storage. Similarly, tin foil was also used for preventing messes on baking sheets (also the air fryer) and plastic wrap was used for storing food.
Sustainable Swap: Tupperware/Silicone Baking Sheets
(Beeswax Wraps and Silicone Lids could also be used here, though I have not tried them myself)
In terms of keeping food fresh with plastic wrap and tinfoil, using tupperware instead is an easy switch to make as we had discussed with plastic bags. Using parchment paper for baking and
cooking is really for convenience, as it prevents cookie sheets and baking pans from getting dirty and food sticking to it. There is always the option to eliminate it entirely and scrub your baking sheets every time and greasing them etc. however I am a full supporter of the silicone baking sheets as they let you have the convenience of parchment paper without the waste. The silicone sheets can be washed by hand or thrown in the dishwasher (read package instructions) and prevent food from sticking to your baking sheets without any cooking spray or other greasing methods. You can find them at nearly any grocery store nowadays or online. The ones I have tried and love are linked here.
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