Sustainability doesn’t have to mean overhauling your life overnight. In fact, the most powerful and lasting changes often come from tackling one space at a time. And what better place to start than the kitchen?
It’s the heart of the home—and, unfortunately, also a major hub of waste. From single-use plastics to paper towels, the kitchen is where small sustainable actions can add up to big impact.
Why the Kitchen?
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High Volume of Single-Use Plastics
Between food packaging, dish soap bottles, and disposable food wrap, the kitchen generates a significant amount of plastic waste. -
Constant Use = High Impact
Since it’s the most frequently used room in the house, small changes make a difference every single day. -
Easy-to-Swap Essentials
Many kitchen items have eco-friendly alternatives that don’t disrupt your routine—making it simple to go low waste without sacrifice.
5 Simple Swaps for a Low-Waste Kitchen
1. Ditch Plastic Dish Soap Bottles
Instead of buying endless plastic bottles, switch to a dishwashing soap bar. Each bar is highly concentrated, meaning you get more washes out of one solid piece than you would from a typical liquid bottle. This simple swap helps reduce the constant need to restock and keeps more money in your pocket over time.
Beyond practicality, this shift makes a real difference in cutting down packaging waste. Traditional dish soap bottles add up quickly — even if you recycle, most plastic never actually gets recycled. A soap bar, wrapped in minimal, compostable packaging, eliminates that cycle completely and helps you keep unnecessary plastic out of your home.
There’s also an unexpected bonus: dish soap bars bring a touch of simplicity and style to your kitchen. Placed on a small dish or soap lift, they look neat and modern on the countertop, a reminder that sustainable choices can be both functional and beautiful. It’s a swap that lightens your footprint and elevates your daily routine at the same time.
2. Say Goodbye to Plastic Sponges
Traditional sponges shed microplastics down the drain and into our waterways with every use. Over time, those tiny plastic fragments don’t just disappear—they build up in rivers, lakes, and oceans, where they’re ingested by fish and wildlife, eventually making their way back into our food chain. It’s a small action with a surprisingly big footprint.
The good news? There are better, more natural options! Swapping to natural loofah or cellulose sponges , or bamboo scrubbers with plant-based bristles, keeps your dishes sparkling without leaving behind invisible plastic pollution. These alternatives are durable, compostable at the end of their life, and just as effective as conventional sponges. Plus, they feel better in hand—sturdy enough for scrubbing pots, yet gentle on glassware and surfaces. By choosing natural materials, you’re not only upgrading your kitchen routine but also taking one more step toward keeping our waterways cleaner and healthier.
3. Replace Paper Towels with Cloth
The average household goes through roll after roll of paper towels each month—sometimes without even realizing how quickly the costs and waste add up. Each roll represents trees cut down, resources used in production, and single-use packaging that often ends up in the trash. And while paper towels feel convenient in the moment, they’re single-use by design, which means they’re gone as quickly as they’re bought.
There’s an easier, smarter way. Reusable Swedish Dishcloths, reusable paper towels, or even simple cotton kitchen towels can step in for nearly every paper towel task. One Swedish Dishcloth can replace 15–20 rolls of paper towels over its lifespan, and a small stack of them takes up far less space in your pantry. They’re lightweight, quick-drying, and easy to toss in with your regular laundry—so you’re never stuck running to the store for another pack.
The impact is twofold: you’ll save money (the average household spends $200+ on disposable paper towels every year), and you’ll help conserve trees and reduce waste in landfills. Over time, these swaps not only simplify your home routine but also help shift everyday habits toward something more sustainable and intentional.
Yearly Savings: ~$180+ and think of all the trees you'll save!
4. Ditch the plastic wrap
Swapping to reusable wax wraps and silicone bowl covers is a simple change that cuts out the plastic waste while making your kitchen feel a little more mindful. Instead of tearing off sheet after sheet of cling wrap or foil, you’ll have durable covers and wraps that can be rinsed and used again and again. They mold perfectly around fruits, veggies, bread, or over bowls, keeping food fresh without the endless cycle of single-use plastics.
This small shift also transforms the way your kitchen feels. Brightly patterned wax wraps and sleek silicone lids add a touch of charm and organization, while reducing clutter from rolls of disposable wrap. And the impact goes beyond your home—by skipping plastic, you’re helping reduce the demand for materials that take centuries to break down. It’s one of those no-brainer swaps where convenience, savings, and sustainability all line up, making it easy to stick with long term.
The average household spends $30–$60 annually on cling wrap and aluminum foil.
👉 Swap for Reusable Wax Wraps + Silicone Bowl Covers — one set replaces dozens of rolls. Starting at ~$13.99 per set
Yearly Savings: ~$30–$60 and think of all the plastic you’ll skip!
5. Start Composting (Even Without a Garden)
Composting doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s one of the simplest ways to keep food waste out of the trash while giving those scraps a second life. Start small by keeping a bowl or countertop bin handy for everyday items like fruit and veggie peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, and even spoiled leftovers. Having a designated spot makes it easy to build the habit, and you’ll be surprised at how much less ends up in your garbage can each week.
Many cities now offer compost collection services right alongside recycling, so your scraps can be picked up and processed into nutrient-rich soil. Even if your city doesn’t, there are plenty of options: use compost in your own houseplants or garden, look for local drop-off spots at farmers’ markets, or donate to community gardens that are always eager for organic material to enrich their soil.
The best part is, composting closes the loop. Instead of sending food waste to a landfill—where it produces harmful methane gas as it breaks down—you’re helping turn it into something that benefits the earth. It’s a small kitchen habit that adds up to a big environmental impact, and once you start, you’ll wonder why you didn’t begin sooner.
Throwing food scraps in the trash means more methane emissions + heavier/stinkier garbage bags.
👉 Repurpose a bucket or bin with a lid makes collection simple and odor-free- $0!
Comparison: Garbage bags alone can cost $50+ annually. Composting reduces trash volume and saves money over time.
It's important to remind yourself—You don’t need to be perfect—you just need to start. By making simple swaps in the kitchen, you’re not only reducing waste but also creating a home that reflects your values and helps protect our Mother Earth.
🛒 Ready to make the switch? Explore our Kitchen Essentials Collection and start your low-waste journey today.
