Creating an eco friendly kitchen isn’t just about reducing waste; it’s also about making conscious choices regarding the eco kitchen products and materials you bring into your home. Opting for durable, sustainably sourced, and non-toxic items – true sustainable kitchen essentials – can significantly lessen your environmental impact and contribute to a healthier living space. But where to start when looking for these crucial reusable kitchen items and biodegradable kitchen supplies? We’ve compiled a list of ten must-have eco kitchen products to help you build a greener home, one thoughtful purchase at a time.
These products are chosen for their sustainability, functionality, and ability to replace less eco-friendly alternatives, helping you move towards a truly sustainable kitchen and embrace more zero waste kitchen products over time.
(For a comprehensive look at all aspects of a green kitchen, make sure to visit our main guide: The Ultimate Guide to an Eco-Friendly Kitchen (for Beginners & Families).)
1. Reusable Silicone Food Storage Bags
Why they’re a must-have: These are a fantastic alternative to single-use plastic Ziploc bags, a staple in eco friendly food storage. Perfect for storing snacks, sandwiches, marinading food, or even for sous vide cooking.
Eco-Credentials: Durable, long-lasting, reduces plastic waste, often freezer, microwave, and dishwasher safe. Look for food-grade silicone.
Impact: Significantly cuts down on the hundreds of disposable plastic bags a household might use annually.
2. Glass Food Storage Containers with Airtight Lids
Why they’re a must-have: Unlike plastic containers that can stain, warp, or leach chemicals, eco friendly food storage containers made of glass are sturdy, non-porous, and don’t absorb odors or flavors. Ideal for leftovers, meal prepping, and pantry storage.
Eco-Credentials: Durable, endlessly recyclable (the glass part), non-toxic. Lids are often made of bamboo or BPA-free plastic with a silicone seal.
Impact: Reduces reliance on plastic food storage and promotes healthier food storage solutions.
3. Beeswax Wraps (or Plant-Based Alternatives)
Why they’re a must-have: A natural and reusable alternative to plastic cling film, these wraps are key sustainable kitchen products. Great for covering bowls, wrapping cheese, fruits, vegetables, and sandwiches.
Eco-Credentials: Made from natural materials (cotton, beeswax/plant wax, jojoba oil, tree resin), biodegradable, and compostable at the end of their life.
Impact: Eliminates single-use plastic wrap from your kitchen. (You can even make your own with our guide: DIY Reusable Food Wraps: A Simple Eco Kitchen Project!)
4. High-Quality Reusable Water Bottle & Travel Mug
Why they’re a must-have: Essential reusable kitchen items to combat the mountain of single-use plastic bottles and disposable coffee cups.
Eco-Credentials: Opt for stainless steel or glass. They are durable, reusable, and keep drinks hot or cold for extended periods.
Impact: Drastically reduces plastic bottle and disposable cup waste when you’re on the go or even at home.
5. Bamboo or Wooden Cutting Boards & Utensils
Why they’re a must-have: Bamboo is a fast-growing, renewable resource, making it a more sustainable choice than plastic cutting boards (which can harbor bacteria and shed microplastics). Solid wood boards from sustainably managed forests are also excellent. Pair them with eco friendly kitchen utensils made from bamboo or wood for a complete setup.
Eco-Credentials: Renewable resource (bamboo), durable, biodegradable. Look for FSC-certified wood for boards and utensils.
Impact: A more natural and sustainable surface for food preparation, and better tool choices compared to plastic alternatives.
6. Cast Iron Skillet or Dutch Oven
Why they’re a must-have: These are kitchen workhorses that, with proper care, can last for generations – the epitome of sustainable kitchen products. They offer excellent heat retention, are incredibly versatile, and can move from stovetop to oven. This often means avoiding eco friendly non stick pans that use synthetic coatings which can degrade over time.
Eco-Credentials: Extremely durable, long-lasting (reducing the need for replacements), free from synthetic coatings if un-enameled. Enameled versions are also great.
Impact: Reduces the churn of replacing non-stick pans with short lifespans. (Learn more about cookware choices in our upcoming guide: Choosing Eco-Friendly Pots and Pans: A Buyer’s Guide).
7. Natural Fiber Dish Scrubbers & Brushes
Why they’re a must-have: Replace plastic sponges and brushes (which shed microplastics) with these biodegradable kitchen supplies made from coconut coir, sisal, loofah, or wood with natural bristles.
Eco-Credentials: Made from renewable plant fibers, biodegradable and compostable at the end of their life.
Impact: Reduces plastic waste and microplastic pollution from dishwashing.
8. Cloth Napkins & Unpaper Towels (Eco Friendly Dish Towels)
Why they’re a must-have: Swap disposable paper towels and napkins for washable and reusable cloth alternatives, including options often called “unpaper towels” or simply high-quality, absorbent eco friendly dish towels.
Eco-Credentials: Reduces paper waste, saves trees, and can be made from organic cotton or linen for an even smaller footprint.
Impact: Significantly cuts down on household paper waste.
9. A Good Quality Compost Bin or Pail
Why they’re a must-have: To easily collect kitchen scraps for composting, diverting organic waste from landfills where it produces methane. This is a key eco kitchen gadget for waste reduction.
Eco-Credentials: Enables nutrient recycling. Options range from simple countertop pails with charcoal filters to more advanced indoor composting systems.
Impact: Reduces landfill waste and creates valuable soil amendment. (New to composting? Check out: A Beginner’s Guide to Composting Kitchen Scraps (Even in Small Spaces)).
10. Eco-Friendly Dish Soap & Dishwasher Detergent
Why they’re a must-have: Conventional dish soaps and detergents can contain harsh chemicals. Choosing earth friendly dishwasher detergent and hand soaps is crucial.
Eco-Credentials: Look for plant-based, biodegradable formulas, concentrated options, plastic-free packaging (like soap bars or powder in cardboard boxes), and those free from harsh chemicals.
Impact: Reduces chemical pollution in waterways and exposure to potentially harmful substances. (We’ll be testing some in our upcoming article: The Best Earth-Friendly Dishwasher Detergents We’ve Tested).
Investing in these eco kitchen products and building your collection of sustainable kitchen essentials is an investment in a healthier planet and a more sustainable lifestyle. Start with one or two swaps that resonate with you. Every conscious choice in selecting environmentally friendly kitchen products makes a difference!