Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it seemed as if everyone was looking for a more sustainable way to live. And now that time is anything but fleeting, it’s the perfect opportunity to invest in kitchen items that can help you lead a more sustainable life. It’s a win for your body and one for the earth, too.
But not sure where to start on that sustainable journey? We scoped out a few kitchen items that can take you from growing your own to, well, re-growing your own.
Bee’s Wrap
While you may try to eliminate plastic bags or wrap from your life, it is a very convenient on-the-go option. Enter Bee’s Wrap, a reusable solution to this conundrum. The wrap is made from a combination of cloth and sustainably-sourced beeswax. It can be used for up to a year on most food with the exception of raw meats or fish.
And, purchasing this will not only make you feel good about saving the planet, but it will make you feel good about spending your money, too. The company is a B Corp and certified Green America company and supports ocean conservancy, beach cleanups, and environmental stewardship.
Emile Henry Sprouter
Always wanted to grow your own herbs, even in a small space? Now you can. The Emile Henry Sprouter is deep enough to germinate almost all grains, especially microgreens. (Can you say ‘Hello, salad upgrade?’) The Sprouter consists of three independent pieces, all made out of ceramic: The water collector and two grain containers. For best results, use both trays to stagger the crops and vary the type of seeds used.
EuroScrubby
Made from cotton based with a non-plastic hardened coating, EuroScrubby eliminates the need for paper towels and/or a disposable sponge. Bright and eye-catching, they can also be used to clean the kitchen, the bathroom, the boat — you name it, a EuroScrubby can clean it. The best part? They can go in the dishwasher or washing machine to be cleaned, meaning there is basically no maintenance for you and no extra trash for the landfill.
DII Swedish Dishcloths
These Scandinavian-inspired cleaning machines are made from cellulose, a natural fiber, and printed with water based inks. They are made to clean up hearty messes and are dishwasher and washer/dryer safe so they don’t add to the mess, either.
Bonus: Not only does the company have plenty of styles to choose from, but since these Swedish dishcloths are all-natural, you can even throw them in the compost pile when they have lived out their (natural) lifecycle.
Food Huggers
OK, maybe going all out “green” isn’t your thing, but keeping fruits and vegetables fresher for longer not only saves the environment, but saves you some money too. Food Huggers reusable silicone food savers can be used on anything from corn and tomatoes to avocados. Simply press your food down into the hugger and it creates a seal, replacing the missing protective barrier. Lost a lid? These can help with that, too.
Nature’s Blossom Edible Flowers Kit
Now you can grow flowers and eat them, too. The Nature’s Blossom Edible Flower Kit comes with four packets of seeds and four biodegradable planting pots and include viola tricolor, Shasta daisy Alaska, cornflower and calendula pot marigold. Add them to cocktails, salads and atop meals of your choice to add a pop of color, bit of texture and layer of flavor.
Flowers aren’t exactly your thing? Nature’s Blossom also has an array of other kits, too, including grow-your-own blueberries, exotic vegetables, salad greens and tomatoes. Happy harvesting!
OXO Easy Clean Composting Bin
Composting can be a messy job, but can also be pretty rewarding in the end. OXO’s easy clean composting bin comes in two sizes – a large and small – as well as two stylish colors. They are odor-containing and pest-reducing since oxygen can flow through the soft-close lids. The lids have a stay-open feature which makes it easy to toss scraps in and they are removable for convenient emptying. Stylish and sustainable? We’ll take it!
RSVP Reusable Straws
If you are going to do at least one good thing for the environment, eliminating those plastic straws from your take out order would be a good way to start. RSVP has a plethora of reusable straws to fit just about any personality type, but its metal straws are meant to stand the test of time. The company’s Endurance collection of stainless steel straws are available in a variety of styles and sizes for various beverages.
Stasher Reusable Silicone Bags
Whether it’s for packing lunch or heading out to the Farmer’s Market, Stasher has a reusable bag for that. Made of silicone, they are even self sealing, dishwasher and microwave safe, giving you really no reason not to make these a staple in your sustainable life.
