Zero-Waste Kitchen 101: Resolving The Food Waste Crisis

Creating a zero-waste kitchen may sound like a Herculean task, but trust me, it’s not. It doesn’t mean you need to go full-on Earth Mother and keep mason jars full of “compost tea” on your counter. It means making small, yet impactful changes to reduce waste and live a more sustainable life. You know, without losing your mind.

Why Zero-Waste Matters (Yes, Even in Your Kitchen)

Newsflash, diva-of-disposables: The kitchen is single-handedly one of the most waste-generating spaces in your home. From food scraps and plastic wrap to takeout containers and paper towels, it’s a waste party with NO RSVP required. Oh, and those cheery landfill stats aren’t so cheerful. According to Feeding America, over 119 billion (yes, BILLION) pounds of food are wasted annually in the U.S., much of it happening in home kitchens.

Add in the heaps of single-use plastic involved in food storage, and we’ve got ourselves an environmental headache larger than your summer iced latte order. Switching to zero-waste helps reduce this colossal mess, it’s healthier for you (yes, I said it), and it saves some of that hard-earned cash. Feel heroic yet?

Zero-Waste Start With What’s Already in Your Home

Put down the credit card and back away from Instagram-inspired shopping carts slowly. The first rule of zero-waste living? Use what you already freaking have! Why toss perfectly okay Tupperware just to buy bamboo-fiber bowls? Worn-out lids? Use ’em to corral random bits and bobs in your drawers. Those glass jars you’re hoarding (and I know you are)? Use them for overnight oats or salad dressings (same vibes as that hip organic café…without the overpriced upcharge).

Master the Art of Food Storage

Sometimes it seems the minute a plum or lettuce enters the fridge, it instantly becomes wrinkled and bruised. Half the vegetables in your fridge don’t need to die a slow, soggy death in the crisper drawer. Knowing how to store your food properly is the secret that can save your asparagus and some money.

• Reusable silicone bags knock out flimsy plastic ones every time (Stasher Bags for the win).
• Keep berries happy by waiting to wash them until you’re ready to eat. Excess moisture = mold city.
• And for the love of avocados, store ethylene-producing fruits (bananas, apples, oranges) away from ethylene-sensitive produce (leafy greens).

Say Adieu to Single-Use Stuff

Dispose of those thoughts of buying disposable stuff! Keep those plastic has-beens on the store shelf the next time you go shopping. Oh, paper towels, you simple, wasteful comfort. The same goes for plastic wrap. Hydration is chic, but single-use cups and straws are not.

Sure, you were convenient, but guess what? Swedish dishcloths clean up your messes just as easily and last F-O-R-E-V-E-R. Invest in beeswax wraps or silicone lids, and stop clinging to the clingy nonsense. Get some or start using those reusable tumblers and metal/glass straws. Bonus points if your tumbler is Pinterest-worthy and doubles as a desk accessory. 

3 Simple Zero-Waste Changes in Meal Prepping

1. Got some veggie shavings or peels? Make a broth out of those.
2. Turn stale bread into breadcrumbs or croutons.
3. Bruised fruit? Blender party for smoothies, jams, or popsicles.

Compost Like a Pro

Yes, composting might sound like a backyard-only activity, but countertop compost bins make it apartment-friendly. That coffee grinds and eggshells? Yeah, they’re basically gold for the soil in your (future) herb garden. They are stuffed to the brim with minerals and nutrients that will superpower your garden and provide quality produce. Anything that isn’t going into the pot can be repurposed as compost, saving you from smelly kitchen garbage bins.

The Bottom Line

Zero-waste doesn’t mean going full-eco jacket so suddenly! Start small and work on exchanging over time to blend those changes seamlessly into your lifestyle. Do the swaps that feel doable, and save the bamboo cutlery sets for when you’re feeling extra. The planet will thank you. Your wallet will thank you. Heck, your whole vibe will thank you. Sustainable living never looks better than when paired with a reusable tote and some home-grown goodies.