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Breaking some habits and creating new ones can make a big impact to reduce plastic and create a more eco-friendly home.
Spending a big chunk of my days in kitchens has made me very aware of waste. Restaurants have systems in place to avoid waste, so itโs important to think in the same ways in our own kitchens. With plastic garbage choking the oceans and landfills overflowing, it's easy to feel helpless. Changing a few simple habits โ and creating a few new ones โ can and will make a big impact. Here are a dozen simple ideas to save both money and resources.
1. Bag it
Reusable bags are an obvious step. Keep a stock of reusable grocery bags in the car and at least one collapsible one in your backpack or purse. If you forget, ask for paper bags, which can easily be recycled. Reusable produce bags are ideal instead of all those little plastic bags. Or skip produce bags altogether; they're not required. When you do get plastic bags, reuse them.
2. Don't overbuy
The USDA estimates that 30 to 40 percent of all food in the U.S. is wasted, and not all of that comes from the back of your fridge. Buying too much food, especially fresh food, is too easy. Take a cue from restaurants, and inventory and plan. Think about menus ahead of time; a simple way to do this is to have a list of go-to recipes you make every week or two. Then make a shopping list, and avoid getting off-the-list items.
3. Buy local
Large, complex food supply chains create waste and spoilage, especially with processed food. When you buy from local sources, you get fresher, less-processed food, and you support your local economy.
4. Bring a bottle and/or travel mug
Bottle-filling stations are becoming more available (not just in airports), and your local coffee shop is probably happy to fill your mug. Not only is there a ton of waste from single-use bottles and cups, but think of the transportation to get them all over the globe. If you like fizzy drinks, get a SodaStream.
5. Eat more plants, less meat
Okay, I love quality meat. But meat is much more resource-intensive than plants. A simple solution is to eat better meat, less often. By better meat, I mean local or high-quality U.S.-produced meat, often organic, that comes from farms that commit to good farming practices. And non-meat meals, even vegan meals, are no longer fringe. The best chefs in the world are creating amazing plant-based cuisine, and that's trickling down to your supermarket and can be easy in your own kitchen.
6. Pay attention to packaging, especially plastic
Some foods come with way more unnecessary packaging than others. And just because plastic has a recycling symbol on it doesn't mean it will be recycled, even if you toss it in your bin. The US EPA says only 9 percent of plastic is actually recycled due to technical issues and lack of demand for recycled plastic. Buy in bulk for the most minimal packaging.
7. Use everything
Make carrot tops into a delicious pesto and turn bones into a nutritious stock โ try to use everything you buy instead of just the main attraction. It takes a little imagination, so be creative.
8. Use fewer paper towels (or eliminate them altogether)
Inexpensive kitchen/bar towels are excellent for drying hands at the sink, using as pot holders, sopping up spills, and wiping the counters. Just use them for a day and throw them in the laundry. Clean rags work, too.
9. Save it right
If you're going to save food and avoid waste, you need the right tools to store it. Using glass or Tupperware with tight sealable lids eliminates the need for one-time-use plastic wrap. Large-mouth jars from pasta sauce can work great.
10. Have a pantry/fridge-cleaning meal weekly
Get creative with what you already have in your pantry. Put everything that needs to be used in a creative pasta, soup, or casserole. Or search online by ingredients for recipes. If all you have are little bits of a lot of things, make tapas. A bunch of small random dishes are amazing and so much fun.
11. Compost the rest
Anything that can't be consumed can be composted and used to nourish your garden and start the cycle over again. Use a countertop composter to turn all of your food waste and scraps into nutrient-rich fertilizer. Compost bins are great for small yards or there are plenty of DIY instructions online for making your own.
12. Save water for your plants
Keep a container by your sink to collect non-soapy kitchen water for the garden when rinsing veggies or dishes. You can even collect water when youโre waiting for it to warm up instead of letting it go down the drain. Your thirsty plants will appreciate the reward.
This article was adapted from the post 12 Steps Toward Zero Waste on my cooking website Salt Pepper Skillet, where you find tons of great recipes and tips.
