The kitchen is a place where we spend a lot of time, cooking, eating or cleaning. The food we put into our bodies is vital, so I also want the process of preparing, cooking, and storing my food to be eco-friendly and healthy. I’ve done some research and came up with a big list of my favorite eco-friendly kitchen products that I’ve split up into useful categories.
Keep in mind that eco-friendly is anything that is not harmful to the environment. When looking to adopt a more eco-friendly kitchen, I always look for high-quality and long-lasting products that are made from eco-friendly materials that are produced with sustainability in mind. They also should also have limited excess packaging that is recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable. Anything that will help nourish my family while keeping them safe and healthy will be considered a benefit too!
So what are some must-have products for an eco-friendly kitchen?
So, what are the best eco-friendly cleaning products? Here’s a quick overview of some of the top eco-friendly kitchen products we’ll cover in the post:
Now let’s take a deeper look at the best eco-friendly cleaning products out there today!
Best Eco-Friendly Kitchen Products
Food Storage
1. Bee’s Wrap Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps
Wrap up your fresh fruit, veggies, bread, or cover up a bowl or plate to keep your food staying fresh. Bee’s Wrap Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps (link to read reviews on Amazon) are uniquely made from strictly organic ingredients which include cotton, sustainably harvested beeswax, jojoba oil, and tree resin. Simply use the warmth from your hands to wrap the Bee’s Wrap around your food or dish, when it cools within seconds, it will have a secure hold and seal for your food. When finished you can simply wash them with cool water and dish soap and air dry.
The wraps come in cute designs with several sizes depending on the food you want to store. Bee’s Wraps are produced in Vermont with quality and durability in mind. I was very surprised how durable they felt compared to their look. They will easily last up to one year when used several times a week. A great sustainable way to reduce your plastic waste while storing your food safely.
2. Colony Co. Reusable Produce Bags
Say goodbye to using those tiny annoying plastic bags for produce at the grocery store, which usually end up tearing and making a mess of your produce. Colony Co. Reusable Produce Bags (link to read reviews on Amazon) are from durable 100% cotton mesh which is a biodegradable material. I love the feel of the double-stitched seams and the stainless steel cord lock for a secure hold and no fear of losing any produce.
Sold in a set of 9, each bag has a different colored label with the tare weight included allowing the cashier to easily deduct the bag’s weight. These are a great deal for anyone who wants to streamline their grocery shopping experience while reducing their plastic waste at the same time.
3. Shine US Reusable Mesh Shopping Bag
Plastic grocery bags are now becoming a thing of the past. In fact, many municipalities have already placed a ban on or charge extra for using plastic grocery bags. Shine US Reusable Mesh Shopping Bags (link to read reviews on Amazon) serve as a long-lasting and reusable option for your trips to the grocery store. These bags are very lightweight and won’t take up much space in your purse or car.
The mesh netting expands when you add items to it and can hold up to 40lbs (18 kg) with ease. I like that I can add a bunch of smaller awkwardly shaped items with no worries of a broken bag disaster. Made from 100% cotton they are machine washable and will air dry quickly. They come in a pack of 5 in an assortment of pastel colors are an easy swap for a more eco-friendly grocery shopping experience.
4. Food Huggers Silicone Food Savers
Want to keep the other half of the avocado you just cut staying fresh? Food Huggers Reusable Silicone Food Savers are perfect for covering a single cut fruit or vegetable. Simply press the food down into open edges of the silicone “food hugger” allowing the edges to tightly seal or “hug” your food securely keeping the juices and moisture in the seal.
Made from 100% food-grade silicone they serve as a perfect saver for tomatoes, onions, lemons, kiwi, grapefruit or whichever is the snack of the moment. They can also be used to seal the top of glass jars, containers, or bottles. They come in bright colors so you won’t lose track of them in your kitchen and are a lot of fun to use! I also like they come minimally packaged in recycled paper.
5. Prep Naturals Reusable Glass Food Storage Containers
Glass food storage containers make for a more eco-friendly option over plastic. They are more durable and longer-lasting, so you won’t have to change these out every few months due to staining and cracking.
Prep Naturals Reusable Glass Food Storage Containers (link to read reviews on Amazon) are reliable containers to keep your food fresh. Made from borosilicate glass, you can heat up your food without the worry of any potentially harmful chemicals coming into contact with your food.
The plastic top is BPA free and contains a lock for a tight and secure seal. Save to use in the microwave or oven (without the plastic top) and dishwasher safe. I love using these for my weekly meal prep to stay organized for the busy week ahead.
6. Epica Reusable Glass Bottles
If you are a religious juicer or smoothie drinker like me, you already know the importance of a glass bottle that is durable and easy to clean. Epica Reusable Glass Bottles (link to read reviews on Amazon) are the perfect solution to all of your homemade juice, smoothie, or kombucha making needs.
They feature a tight and secure seal with a stainless steel cap and can easily be washed in the dishwasher. An extra-wide mouth makes filling them up easy and mess-free. Each 18 oz glass bottle feels thick and durable which can be taken on the go easily fitting in any car cup holder or used with a reusable drinking straw. They have a very sleek design and look great in the kitchen. I also use these for storing fresh water in my fridge rather than any standard single-use PET plastic bottles.
Cooking
7. Safe Grabs Silicone Pads
Safe Grabs Silicone Pads (link to read reviews on Amazon) are a multi-purpose silicone pad that can serve many uses in the kitchen. Made from 100% food-grade silicone they serve a splatter guard in the microwave, a cover to keep your food warm, or a potholder for cooking. I can even use them to help me open up those seemingly impossible to open sealed jars without feeling like my fingers are going to fall off!
BPA-free, these silicone pads are safe to use at high temperatures around your food and can easily be stored away in your drawers without taking up too much space. A great multi-purpose eco-friendly solution for those small tasks in the kitchen.
8. Lodge Cast Iron Combo Cooker
Cast iron skillets have been used for ages – they are extremely durable, chemical-free, easy to clean up, and even add iron to your food. Because they have no plastic, they are dual-purpose, so you can use them in your oven or on the stovetop at any temperature. Non-stick cookware with Teflon is not so great for truly healthy and safe cooking. Teflon is a synthetic polymer, that when the surface becomes scratched, can eventually lead to trace amounts of toxins on your food. No thanks.
The Lodge 3 Quart Cast Iron Combo Cooker (link to read reviews on Amazon) features a deep skillet, a fryer, a dutch oven, and a griddle all in one. It’s pre-seasoned with vegetable oil, so no need to worry about any synthetic coatings or chemicals. With time a cast iron skillet only gets better after each use.
9. Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Dutch ovens are a perfect multi-purpose and eco-friendly solution for cooking soups, stews, and slow roasting meats or vegetables. Made from enameled cast iron ceramic, it’s also a great conductor of heat and won’t require any special cleaning techniques after using.
Made in the USA, the Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven (link to read reviews on Amazon) is a durable and long-lasting piece of cookware. A great investment that will save you money in the long run instead of having to replace faulty or surface-damaged cookware year in and year out.
10. Cuisinart Pro Stainless Steel Cookware Set
Stainless steel is an eco-friendly material that is high in corrosion resistance making it some of the most durable cookware available on the market. It’s also a great heat conductor allowing for optimal heat distribution when cooking. Made from multiple layers of different metals, stainless steel is non-toxic and won’t leach any chemicals into your food.
The Cuisinart Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set (link to read reviews on Amazon) consists of the essentials for a reliable eco-friendly cooking experience. It has a beautifully polished stainless steel cooking surface that won’t react with your food or alter any flavor. Suitable for even induction cooking surfaces, this set is dishwasher safe, contains no plastics on the handles so it’s safe to use in the oven.
11. Totally Bamboo Pro Bamboo Cutting Board
Bamboo is a sustainable and renewable resource that needs no chemicals to grow or be harvested. Bamboo (technically a grass) acts similar to wood, however, it’s harder and less porous, making for a suitable material for a cutting board. Since bamboo cutting boards absorb less liquid than wooden boards, they are believed to be more sanitary. Plastic cutting boards are more likely to develop bacteria and much harder to clean and disinfect when knife-scarred.
The Totally Bamboo Pro Cutting Board (link to read reviews on Amazon) is not only a gem to the eye but also your kitchen. Perfect for slicing into meats or chopping up your favorite fresh fruits and vegetables. It features grooves along the sides for keeping even the juiciest of meats or fruits mess-free. Large in size (16 inches) a slit handle makes for easy carrying to and from the kitchen. Cleaning is a breeze with a simple hand wash, wipe, and air dry.
12. Cooksmark Bamboo Cooking Utensils
Most plastic cooking utensils don’t last long and can melt with extended contact with cookware. Cooksmark Bamboo Cooking Utensils (link to read reviews on Amazon) are safe to use on heated cookware and won’t cause any scratching on your non-stick surfaces. Bamboo has antibacterial properties and absorbs less water than wood so its more difficult to trap in bacteria.
The brightly colored silicone handles add a fun highlight to the kitchen. Since bamboo is a durable material, these utensils will last much longer than their plastic counterparts. When their time has come to an end, you can remove the silicone and toss them into the compost as they are biodegradable.
13. Chefvantage Olive and Cooking Oil Sprayer
Cooking sprays are very convenient for cooking in the kitchen but not so convenient for the environment. Many commercial cooking sprays come in aerosol spray cans, which are not easily recyclable in many areas.
The Chefvantage Olive and Cooking Oil Sprayer (link to read reviews on Amazon) allows you to ditch the aerosol spray can and instead insert the cooking oil of your choice. I love this little sprayer as it’s perfect for spritzing your salad with olive oil or covering your cookware evenly with oil before cooking.
Its made from eco-friendly materials including glass and a stainless steel cap. The only plastic present is the inner tube, which is BPA-free. A small plastic compromise when you consider you will no longer be tossing out aerosol cans into the environment.
Cleaning
14. Bondre Bamboo Washcloths
Swap out your old cotton washcloths for bamboo, a softer and eco-friendly material. Bondre Bamboo Washcloths (link to read reviews on Amazon) are lightweight yet still very absorbent which is perfect for your tough cleaning in the kitchen. Soft to the touch, I like that I could also use these as facial towels in the bathroom.
Bamboo is famous for its anti-bacterial properties so they will not harbor any bacteria or foul smells over time. They are machine-wash safe (they may shrink a bit) but will last longer when you air-dry them out naturally. A simple way to be more environmentally friendly with the fabrics in your kitchen.
15. Mioeco Unpaper Towels
Before I started adopting a more eco-friendly and zero-waste home, I was noticing the huge amount of paper towels my family and I were using. Mioeco Unpaper Towels (link to read reviews on Amazon) are paper-free towels that are reusable and designed with the goal in mind of replacing single-use paper towels for your needs in the kitchen.
Made from organic unbleached and unscented cotton, they are ideal for quick cleaning around the sink and kitchen counter and even double as meal napkins. The quick-drying waffle patterned fabric is extra-absorbent and durable. When you are finished using, just toss into the wash with your laundry. The perfect alternative to standard waste-producing paper towels and minimally packaged with the environment in mind.
16. Kitchen + Home Reusable Bamboo Paper Towels
Do you still love the comfort of your trusty roll of paper towels? Don’t worry, you can still have this by making a swap from paper towels to Kitchen + Home Reusable Bamboo Paper Towels (link to read reviews on Amazon). Made from certified sustainable organic bamboo, these towels are reusable up to 120 times.
After using to clean, simply toss them in the washing machine and air dry. Strong and absorbent, they are the same size as your traditional paper towels, with one roll replacing up to 60 traditional paper towel rolls. A fantastic way to reduce your paper waste in the kitchen. Bamboo fabric is famous for its softness, so these can also double as reusable baby wipes for the little ones.
17. Zeppoli Flour Sack Towels
Flour sack towels are an age-old all-purpose towel that no kitchen should go without. Zeppoli Flour Sack Towels (link to read reviews on Amazon) are perfect for baking, cooking or any of your random kitchen cleaning needs.
They serve as a great eco-friendly swap from shrink wrap as they can safely cover your food and keep it fresh. Since they are lint-free and made from 100% ring-spun cotton, I love using them for adding an extra shimmer when drying dishes or crystal. They are also great for cleaning windows, dusting, and polishing furniture. Their reusability makes them an easy choice for reducing your dependence on paper consumption in the kitchen.
18. Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Dish Soap
Many commercial soaps and cleaning products can be chock full of chemicals that can be harmful not only to you but also to the precious marine life in our waterways. For this, I absolutely love the all-natural cleaning products from the people at Mrs. Meyers Clean Day.
Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Lemon Verbena Dish Soap (link to read reviews on Amazon) is biodegradable and contains only all-natural ingredients that are cruelty-free. No parabens, no phthalates, no animal-derived ingredients, but instead all-natural plant-derived ingredients tough enough to cut through grease and still give off a natural scent. If you have a dishwasher, you can still go all-natural and eco-friendly with Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Basil Automatic Dish Packs (link to read reviews on Amazon) as well.
19. Pura Natural Dish Sponges
Is your sponge eco-friendly? Many sponges may contain plastics, dyes, or synthetic disinfectants. Cheap sponges can wear out quickly, harbor nasty bacteria, start to smell if not properly sanitized or replaced over time.
Airnex Natural Dish Sponges (link to read reviews on Amazon) are made from plant-based renewable resources and are actually hydrophobic and oleophilic, fancy words for keeping out water and absorbing grease, grime, and oil. The rough scrubber portion is made from walnut shells contains no added adhesives or metals.
Since it does a good job of keeping water out, it’s less likely to harbor bacteria or gain any unwanted odors. I love the coconut design and leaf shape to reach the tightest of corners. A small investment to ensure your dishes stay bacteria-free.
20. UNNI Compostable Trash Bags
I use UNNI Compostable Trash Bags (link to read reviews on Amazon) in the kitchen as they are compostable, biodegradable, and approved for most waste collection programs. Made from the starches of plants, they contain absolutely no plastic, making them environmentally friendly.
They serve as an ideal kitchen trash bag, food waste collection or any other organic waste. UNNI is a brand that goes the extra eco-friendly length by even making the box compostable as well.
21. Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Scented Soy Candles
Our friends from Mrs. Meyers Clean Day come through once again to keep your kitchen smelling natural and fresh. Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Scented Soy Candles (link to read reviews on Amazon) are made from renewable ingredients including soy, cottonseed, and vegetable wax. The wick is lead-free and non-toxic, made from 100% cotton and has a 35 hour burn time.
I love that it comes in a glass jar with a screw top so it can be reused once again or even recycled. I find that these are strong enough to quickly get rid of the stinkiest of smells in the home, so it doesn’t need to burn long. They come in a variety of different scents but I enjoy geranium the most.
On the Go
22. Greenlunch Bento 3-In-1 Lunch Box
Stainless steel containers are also another eco-friendly alternative to on the go plastic food storage. The Greenlunch Bento 3 in 1 Stainless Steel Lunch Box (link to read reviews on Amazon) is a very stylish and functional way to enjoy your meal while out at work or away from home. Made from eco-friendly stainless steel, the three separate compartments are layered to hold 6 cups of food. Looks can be deceiving, but this lunch box actually holds a lot more than I expected – space for a full-sized sandwich on the bottom level and plenty of space for your food of choice on the other two compartments. It’s a perfect fit for the kid’s lunches at school. The stainless steel is very eye-catching but requires a bit more care and should be hand washed to ensure it’s durability.
23. Stasher Silicone Reusable Food Bags
Say goodbye to single-use plastic ziplock bags! No more wasted plastic on the daily for your food storage or snacks outside the home. Stasher Silicone Reusable Food Bags (link to read reviews on Amazon) are made from food-grade silicone and contain no BPA, PVC, or harmful plastics.
They feature a pinch lock seal very similar to the conventional ziplock bag and come in a variety of sizes. Use them for food storage in the kitchen or out and about. A slightly higher price point, but will save you costs in the long run as you will no longer need to buy single-use plastic bags.
24. Tatuo Bamboo Travel Utensils
If you are like me and enjoy your taking your lunch to work then opting for your personal set of reusable utensils is the eco-friendly way to go. Tatuo Bamboo Travel Utensils (link to read reviews on Amazon) are perfect for lunch at the office, picnics, traveling, or camping, or any meal on the go.
Bamboo is a durable and sustainably produced material that when hand-washed, will last you a long time. The moment when they do wear down, you can toss them into the compost guilt-free as you won’t be contributing plastic waste into the environment.
This economical 2-set features a handy carrying case with a cleaning brush that doesn’t take up much space in your purse or bag. Take these with you so you can easily refuse flimsy single-use plastic utensils when offered.
25. YETI Rambler Stainless Steel Tumbler
A reliable coffee cup or tumbler for me is a must. The YETI 20oz Stainless Steel Insulated Tumbler (link to read reviews on Amazon) is made from stainless steel, so it will keep beverages both hot and cold without worry. Use this instead of the single-use paper cup during your daily coffee routine.
An incredibly durable product, YETI is the ultimate brand for eco-friendly beverage containers that are dishwasher safe and BPA free. They offer a huge variety of different color choices which I love and will fit into your standard car cup holder.
26. Mira 40oz Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Some may find it difficult to find a large enough water bottle to suit their hydration habits, while still avoiding plastic bottles which has less than ideal durability. Made from 18/8 stainless steel, the Mira 40oz Stainless Steel Water Bottle (link to read reviews on Amazon) is has double-wall vacuum insulation, so it will keep your water cold for up to 24 hours. A great choice for the gym or sipping on water throughout your day at work.
My children use the smaller 22 oz size for school and after-school sports and I haven’t needed to replace them after a year. Some more common plastic water bottle brands are thick and “unbreakable” but often have problems with the cap being difficult to sanitize or cracking over time. These bottles are BPA free, dishwasher safe, and easy to clean due to their wide-mouth design.
27. Hummingbird Reusable Glass Straws
Did you know that one person making the switch from single-use plastic straws to reusable straws can keep an average of 600 plastic straws out of the environment every year? That’s more than 36,000 over a 60-year lifetime. So that means when one family of 4 switches to reusable straws, they have the power to prevent 144,000 straws from polluting the planet!
Reusable drinking straws come in many different eco-friendly materials, but lately, I prefer Hummingbird Reusable Glass Straws (link to read reviews on Amazon). Surprisingly, these glass straws feel very thick and durable, so you don’t get the feeling that it will chip or break when using them. The glass provides a very clean taste to your beverage and has a larger diameter so it can be used for your juice or smoothies without any blockage. Made in the USA these glass straws are very affordable and come with a handy cleaning brush for any residue that may be left after using.
Final Thoughts
I’ve created this list of eco-friendly products specifically for the kitchen, however, there are many other products throughout the home that can be eco-friendly too. I encourage you to always be diligent in your research to find out exactly how some products are produced and what exactly is in them, so they can be the perfect fit for you and also the environment. I hope this list has been helpful for reducing your waste and adopting a more eco-friendly kitchen!
