10 Affordable Eco Friendly Kitchen Products (Plus One Splurge)

by | Jul 5, 2021

When you adopt a sustainable lifestyle, you try to produce minimal or no waste. There is a lot of improvement that you can do in your kitchen, because a ton of household waste is generated by food. An eco friendly kitchen should use less natural resources and produce less waste.

Check out this group of 10 affordable eco-friendly kitchen products along with one splurge that you might want to start saving up for.

10 eco friendly kitchen products that don’t break the bank

1. Beeswax wrap

If you are still using plastic wrap in your kitchen, you can switch to beeswax wrap to minimize your plastic footprint.  

This pack of three Beeswrap, is made in Vermont with ethically sourced ingredients. It is reusable, washable as well as completely biodegradable.       

This  Olsen+Olsen trio of beeswax wraps is handmade in Québec with organic Canadian beeswax, organic pine rosin and organic jojoba oil. These are free of plastic, compostable, reusable and washable. However, don’t put them in the dishwasher and oven.            

This pack of three bees wax wrap on Etsy is handcrafted in Ohio using cotton, beeswax, pine rosin and jojoba oil. These are reusable and washable with dishwashing detergent and water. However, these are not safe for dishwashers or ovens.         

2. Silicone lids 

Silicone stretch lids are an eco-friendly alternative to plastic wrap, and they actually help you save money in the long run since they’re reusable. In addition, these handy lids are usually safe to put in the microwave or freezer.

Five two airtight silicone lids

Silicone lids are super useful when you have to heat up your leftovers in the microwave. There is no splatter in the microwave thanks to these versatile lids. Basic Haus Grippy Lids work with almost all bowls and pots in the kitchen. Once you put a lid on  a bowl and press down, it creates an airtight seal that is so powerful that you can even lift the bowl with the lid. 

If you want to repurpose a bottle into your daily hydration to-go bottle, Pura silicone sport top straw  can help you. This is a genius lid that works with its own brand Pura Kiki and Pura Sport bottles. It extends the life of kiki bottles so older kids and adults can use them. Your bottle becomes leak proof and insulated with this sport top straw.

3. Reusable sandwich boxes

 

Many times the to-go sandwich options involve plastic or single use packing. But if you invest in a eco-friendly sandwich box like the Solo cube ECOlunchbox made with stainless steel, you cut down your everyday impact on the planet. You can keep your sandwich and solid foods like pasta, fruits pieces or leftovers in it without the fear of squishing anything. However, this won’t hold saucy foods as it is not entirely leak-proof. 

If metal is not your thing, and you still want to be sustainable in your sandwich packing habits, this  Bamboo lunch box on etsy may be just the thing for you. It is nice to look at and made with sustainable materials. There is a wide rubber band to keep the lid secure in place. It is dishwasher safe but cannot be put in the microwave. 

If you like to be able to see your food, this silicone Stasher Sandwich Bag may be your eco-friendly option. It is safe to put in the microwave and dishwasher. 

4. Reusable snack packs

Packing snacks in a waste-free manner can be a struggle. If you look up, there are several sustainable options available that are sustainable while being pocket friendly. This waterproof

A reusable snack pack on etsy can carry your munchies including fruits, veggies, sandwiches or nuts secure inside. It won’t carry liquids though as its seams and zipper are not waterproof.   

If you wish to be able to see your snacks in a packaging that is biodegradable too, the Earth’s Natural Alternative compostable resealable bags are great. However as these are biodegradable, just get as many as you can use within nine months. These are non-toxic, durable, and plastic free. Avoid putting hot food inside as it can cause condensation. 

And of course, how can I leave out the silicone Stasher snack bag that’s reusable, durable and transparent. And it is microwave and dishwasher friendly.  

5. Reusable freezer storage for leftovers

Going zero-waste in the kitchen means you pack all your leftovers and repurpose them later. Another great practice is to batch cook or partially cook the meals and freeze and whip up when needed within minutes.These  recyclable 10 Gallon reusable freezer storage bags are made with eco-friendly PEVA material that’s durable and food grade. These are leak proof and easy to open and seal. 

Another great option is this nylon insulated freezer bag on etsy with insulation and zipper closure. It is the same size as you’d find as gallon size bags in the plastic section that you usually throw away. This one is durable, washable and reusable.     

And of course my personal favorite, Stasher stand-up mega bag can hold up to one gallon of food. Made with silicone it is safe for dishwashers and microwaves.  

6. Reusable napkin and dishcloth

If you are spending your money to buy single use paper napkins, switching to reusable cloth napkins is both economical and environment friendly.  

This is a really cute set of crocheted cotton dishcloths on etsy. It measures 8×8 inches. It is handmade with 100% cotton yarn.     

Another great option is the reusable Swedish dishcloths made with renewable cotton and sustainable cellulose. They are convenient like a hand towel and they absorb well because of the cellulose sponge. Their texture allows good scrubbing for utensils and countertops.The best thing is that these are safe for the dishwasher and washing machine. Once they are worn off you can compose them.       

The Ritz Cotton 12 by 12-Inch Dish Cloth has one side made of soft cotton and other side made with poly scour. You can scrub your kitchen appliances without harming their surface with this dish cloth. These are machine washable with due care.  

 7. Compostable trash bags & compost liner bags

Minimal or zero waste is the goal, to achieve it you need biodegradable liners for your kitchen trash . Earth’s natural alternative eco-friendly garbage bags  are 100% compostable meeting the ASTM D6400 standard. You can put your wet food waste, pet waste, paper waste and yard waste in these as they are strong to withstand the load. They are made with ethically sourced cornstarch. To maintain their goodness, use them within 12 months of buying.       

Another option is the 13 gallon Stout compostable bags that come in a case of 45 rolls. These are 100% biodegradable according to the ASTM D6400 standards. These are manufactured in the US by visually impaired or blind people, so when you buy one of these packs, you don’t only do good for the environment but you also play a role in bringing the special people into the mainstream. 

Another trash liner option is  Norpro Compostable Bags with 6 liters capacity and .65 mil thickness. This one is also fully compostable in compliance with the ASTM D6400 standards.  

8. Silicone muffin pan

This is a great alternative to paper liners. It makes it super easy to make egg bites and muffins and get them out of the pan. Silicone is heat-resistant and flexible so once your baked items cool down, you can easily cop them out.        

The Trudeau structured silicone muffin pan has 12 cups and a steel frame to keep it secure when putting in and taking out of the oven.  It is safe for the oven, microwave and freezer.     

If you are making a small batch of muffins or cupcakes, the Silicone Muffin Cups SET OF 4 at etsy is a great choice. It is safe for the oven, microwave, dishwasher and freezer.    

If you are a fan of fancy looking muffins, the  6 Mini Bundt Silicone Mold on etsy is a really good choice. It is made in italy. 

Pro tip: To clean your silicone muffin pan, flip its cup inside out and get the crumbs out from the bottom.     

9. Silicone baking mat

Baking cookies is fun. But using cooking spray, parchment paper and foil is not. AmazonBasics Silicone baking mat is non-stick and safe for dishwashers and ovens. It has four baking mats that can work as a prepping board as well to roll dough.     

This  Silicone Baking Mat on etsy comes with a nice quote and measurement marks for cookies, pies and cakes. You can knead and roll dough on this fancy looking baking mat.  

Fox Run Baking Mat with Measurements is another professional grade silicone pastry sheet. It also has measurements marked for precise baking. This also doubles as a prep board for kneading and rolling dough.    

10.   Compost bin

If you are truly trying to reduce your kitchen waste, you need to start composting your organic waste.   

Try the OXO Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin. It has a flip-up lid that you can open and close with one hand and keep its odor contained.  

This pint-sized, portable powerhouse is best known for its Fresh Air technology that promotes aerobic decomposition to keep the odors at bay. 

The Bamboozle Food Composter is made with excess raw materials of bamboo that grows very fast, so no landscape is destroyed to harvest it. 

Composting is easy once you get the hang of it. And with such affordable compost bins available, there is no excuse to not start doing it if you haven’t already started.

The one splurge you might want to save for:

Vitamix is the game changer in any kitchen that is worth splurging over it. It allows you to buy nuts and beans and other items in bulk and blend foods that you would have otherwise had to purchase in plastic packaging. You can totally go package free with your vitamix.  

 

Here is a healthy and indulging chocolate avocado spread that you can make using your vitamix guilt-free.

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Santa Barbara Chocolate (@santabarbarachocolate)

 

You can also make amazing smoothies like this salted caramel soft serve smoothie in this post.

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Vgnbites🪴Plant Based on Budget (@vgnbites_)

This Blueberry Nice Cream is a great healthy recipe to satisfy your sweet tooth and avoid plastic packaging of store bought ones.   

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Mariah | Gluten-Free Blogger (@freshwaterpeaches)

 

This healthy and nutritious summer strawberry smoothie is both refreshing and easy to make.

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Bekah * Plantbased Foodie (@bitesbybekah)

So, start buy building up your eco-friendly kitchen product collection with some affordable items. And save up for that Vitamix. It’ll let you reduce your carbon footprint with more at-home cooking.

For more inspiration, check out our guide on sustainable kitchen design and our favorite eco friendly utensils.

Daybring