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Sustainability July 2, 2018
When it comes to the kitchen, switching from disposable to reusable products is easier than you may think. Not only is it better for the environment, but it’s also cheaper in the long run. Imagine how much you spend on replacing plastic wrap, disposable sponges, paper towels, straws and styrofoam cups.
Now imagine how much you’ll save by changing to these reusable alternatives.
1 Bee’s wrap
Made from: beeswax, jojoba oil, cotton muslin and tree resin
Replaces: plastic wrap
Your hands will literally shape a sustainable future with Bee’s Wrap. As you package your food, the warmth from your fingers molds the material into a container shape. As it cools, it seals around the object.
While Bee’s Wrap can’t protect all foods (stay away from raw meats), both beeswax and jojoba oil have antibacterial qualities that help preserve items like cheese and bread. After you’re done, you can rinse the material gently with “cool water and gentle soap” to wash it.
Bee’s Wrap recommends reusing their material for twelve months. Only spending $18 each year on this eco-friendly three-pack? Sounds like a deal to me.
Made from: nylon netting and yarn
Replaces: disposable sponges
It’s easy to toss out a cheap sponge and buy a new once once it gets nasty, but that nastiness then becomes Mother Earth’s issue.
Homemade nylon scrubbers are reusable fabric sponges that look cuter, last longer and are more eco-friendly. Pop them into the dishwasher or laundry after cleaning. You can even make your own! Check out the tutorial above if you have talent in crochet.
Made from: cotton, linen, microfiber
Replaces: paper towels or paper napkins
Kitchen towels aren’t some new revolutionary idea, but people seem to forget they exist! In 2011, paper towels made up two percent of our landfills. Since the U.S. sent about 134 million tons of waste to landfills that year, that means around two to three million tons of paper towels were thrown away. If everyone simply used kitchen towels, we could keep those millions of tons of waste out of our landfills.
If you’re worried about staining the fabric, try this 12-pack set on Amazon prime! It comes with three simple and classy designs, one of which is completely black. The dark fabric will prevent most stains from showing.
Made from: stainless steel, glass, or paper
Replaces: disposable plastic straws
By now, you’ve probably heard about plastic straws and the environment. Maybe you’ve seen the one stuck in the turtle’s nose. Or maybe you’ve noticed companies like Starbucks and American Airlines banning them from their stores and aircrafts.
Despite this growing awareness, plastic straws continue to surround us. Most streets have at least one restaurant or smoothie shop that use these environmentally dangerous products.
Change the conversation by carrying around a reusable straw.
Made from stainless steel or glass, find these plastic alternatives online on Amazon and Walmart. You can even get collapsible versions for easier travel. If someone sees you pull out your own straw in stores, you’ll probably spark a discussion and make a difference.
Made from: glass
Replaces: styrofoam cups, plastic cups
While it’s more difficult to carry around a mason jar than it is to carry around a steel straw, you can still make a difference in your own home! By avoiding red solo cups at parties and dinners, not only will you decrease the demand for plastic, but you’ll also make your home look nicer. Mason jars are very pretty, and they’re also pretty inexpensive.
On top of that, they’re accessible. While you can get these mason jars on Amazon (about $1.50 each, excluding tax and shipping), you could also find them at your local craft store or supercenter.
Change doesn’t have to be radical. It can start with making small switches in a place you love. Hopefully, these alternatives can make your kitchen feel lighter with the knowledge that you are reducing waste and creating a better world for future generations.
