We all have been trying
to reduce, reuse, and recycle as much as possible and actually put those good habits into action. There are always new suggestions to make your kitchen as eco-friendly as possible, and a great place to start is finding products that allow you to avoid plastic wrap and paper waste. And! there are a lot of items that are much more durable, attractive, and nicer to use than their single-use counterparts.
Below are a few of our favorite eco-friendly reusable alternatives for the most popular kitchen products to compare and choose what best fits your lifestyle and taste. There’s s no one-size-fits-all solution as everyone has different lifestyles and ways of living!
Best paper towel and napkin alternatives
Say goodbye to single-use paper products and hello reusable clothes! These towels are handmade and are soft and super absorbent. Machine washable, they come in bleached or unbleached options as well. You can choose from more than a dozen thread colors for the outer edges or spring for a rainbow pack if you can't decide which color you like more. Not only are they are eco-friendly but you’re also supporting a small business!
These Swedish dishcloths are a total game-changer. They are incredibly absorbent and made of 100% naturally biodegradable cellulose + a combination of wood pulp and renewable cotton. They absorb and dry quickly too! Easily toss them into the wash when you are done and they provide so many good uses as well. Check out the variety of fun patterns too.
Best plastic wrap alternatives
Tired of buying (and dealing with!) rolls of plastic wrap to seal your leftovers? This beeswax paper is your answer. It replaces plastic wrap and — it is super easy to clean and reuse — (yep, you read that right!)
It is made from beeswax, tree resin, and hemp. This breathable wrap can be reused and is biodegradable. Surprisingly sturdy, it keeps your food very fresh and also comes in a large selection of colors. Give it a try!
Reduce, reuse and renew! If you're a vegan or primarily someone who has a plant-based diet, you may be looking for something that is consistent with your lifestyle. These wraps are non-GMO and made out of soy wax instead of beeswax. Sold in packs of three, the wraps come in three different themed patterns and include one bigger size, which is great for large leftover salads. The two smaller ones are perfect for sandwiches and small items.
In addition to these adorable vegan wraps, the good people at Tiny Yellow Bungalow have quite a lot of other charming and sustainable vegan products to check out!
For something completely different, check out this kit! In addition to reusable bowl lists, these items FIT YOUR FOOD. The pieces are made to literally cover and custom fit around your food such as avocados, onions, lemons, and other fruits and vegetables. You name it, they probably have a cover for that other half you couldn't finish. Got half an onion or tomato? Gently press the cut end of your fruit or vegetable into the flexible food hugger to create a snug seal around the food. Problem solved.
And good news: Starter bundle contains 8 total pIeces
And last but not least — the best ziplock bag alternatives
Experts swear by Stasher’s reusable silicone bags as an alternative to plastic ziplock style bags. Billed as “the world’s first fully functional, self-sealing, non-plastic bag,” Stasher bags come in a variety of sizes and 15 different color options, are airtight and can be put into the freezer, the microwave, and even boiling water for sous-vide cooking. That’s hot — Paris Hilton, probably.
Another hot contender for the best reusable food bags is Rezip’s stand-up, airtight, leakproof, zipper-top bags made from FDA–grade PEVA material, which are the closest thing to the classic disposable zipper-lock storage bag. They come in a set of three, which makes them a little more budget-friendly than the individually sold Stasher bag. The more you know!
For a much longer comprehensive list, click here to compare other items for your home and up your sustainability game!
