The Best Reusable Kitchen Products
Quarantine has made a lot of us realize how much trash the average family produces every day. Being stuck inside with all the single-use plastic you produce really makes you feel claustrophobic once you realize how much it is–multiply that by millions and you can start to grasp the serious nature of our environmental situation. Investing in these reusable key products will lessen the impact of your waste and save you money in the long run.
Mason Jars
Mason jars with custom labels. These jars are perfect for holding bulk products and they’re easy to bring to the store for refills. They can double as drinking glasses and are affordable enough for you to purchase one for all of your dry goods. To make your kitchen look more cohesive, customize labels and print them, then put the jars on display using shelving rather than a pantry. You’ll find yourself reaching for things you normally wouldn’t because you’re able to see everything, and having labels will make it super organized.
Reusable Ziplocs
Reusable ziplocs. Having a stash of these will make lunches easier–you can even get insulated ones. There’s really no need to throw out plastic because it has a couple of crumbs in it. Simply rinse or toss these in the dishwasher.
Beeswax Wraps
Beeswax wraps. No more saran wrap–these work better and are way prettier. It’s just cute cloth covered in beeswax so it’s able to form to whatever shape you wish. Wrap your bread to keep it fresh, or use these to cover a dish for sharing.
Produce Bags
Mesh produce bags. Not only is it a style statement to carry around a cute bag full of peaches, these allow you to stop contributing to excessive waste. Produce doesn’t need to be wrapped in plastic as it will be washed anyway. Those baggies are only used for an hour and then remain on Earth for the rest of our lives.
Swedish Dishcloths
Paperless towels. This may seem obvious, but swap out single use papers for cloth. They now have materials that are so highly absorbent, they work better than their paper counterparts. If you don’t want to deal with washing them, spring for swedish dishcloths–these are a paper towel alternative that are 100% biodegradable.
Leave the Keurig Behind
Absolutely get rid of your keurig in favor of a single-cup coffee model that doesn’t need pods. The creator of keurig cups stated it was the biggest regret of his life–the waste they create is enormous and unnecessary where there are just as simple options out there. For this one, simply fill your mug with water, dump it in the machine, fill up the scoop with coffee, and brew. It’ll create one perfect cup.
The SodaStream Machine
Lastly, if you’re a sparkling water fan, invest in a SodaStream machine. Not only does it cut out a ton of aluminum waste, but it also allows you to customize your drinks in any way you desire. There are thousands of flavor combinations and each drink will cost you pennies after the initial investment.
