When it comes to health and wellness trends, many of us may think of things like bone broth, fermented foods and Whole30, but one trend that will never go out of style is sustainability. Here are five ways you can create a more sustainable kitchen.
#1 Ditch Single Use Plastic Wrap for Beeswax Paper
A simple and easy way to create a more sustainable kitchen comes with ditching single-use plastic wraps like, cling wrap and saran wrap, and replacing these traditional options with something more sustainable like beeswax paper. Made with beeswax, organic cotton, organic jojoba oil and tree resin, beeswax paper is completely reusable. Simply wash in lukewarm water and gently scrub. Good for up to one year, beeswax paper is compostable, which makes it an amazing alternative to cling wrap or saran wrap. Looking for some fun colors, patterns and prints? Try these Meli Wraps.
Tip: Beeswax paper will melt when exposed to high heat, so avoid using hot water temperatures when washing and never place in the dishwasher.
#2 Get Creative and Repurpose Glass Goods
While you are spring cleaning, take a kitchen inventory of what you already have on hand and see how you can repurpose it. Mason jars make excellent storage containers, especially when it comes to homemade salad dressings, soups and stews. If you don’t have mason jars, save and wash jars from store bought products like jams, jellies, olives, pickles, peppers, salsa and sauces. Another good alternative is repurposing ice cube trays. If you plan on saving a batch of homemade broth and repurposing it in your next recipe, add the excess liquid to an ice cube tray. That way you can just pop out how many cubes you need for your next recipe and get to cooking without having to thaw any larger storage containers. The same works for any extra smoothie liquid left behind in the blender.
#3 Replace Plastic Tupperware
Go ahead and place all of your plastic tupperware containers in the recycle bin and replace them with a set of reusable glass storage containers. That’s right, you can finally say goodbye to that cluttered and mismatched tupperware cabinet in your kitchen. Not only are glass storage containers better for the environment, but now you can feel good knowing all of your storage containers have a matching lid to their bottom half.
Tip: If you prefer to keep your plastic tupperware, check their codes. This number indicates what the plastic is made of. When it comes to food, numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5 are the safest choices for food storage while 3, 6 and 7 should be avoided as these plastics can contain vinyl (PVC) or BPA.
#4 Stock Up on Silicon Storage Bags
When storing foods, consider a sustainable storage option like these reusable silicone bags. BPA and plastic free, these bags are perfect if you don’t have the extra space in your kitchen cupboards for glass containers and mason jars. Lightweight and easy to pack in your bag or purse, these storage bags come in all shapes and sizes so you can store everything from bite sized snacks to larger lunches.
#5 Try Some Stainless Steel Storage Containers
Durable and eco-friendly, stainless steel storage containers are another great sustainable storage option. Just be sure you are purchasing 100% food grade stainless steel containers as they are more dependable and durable in comparison to their aluminum counterparts, which can eventually degrade and leach.
Creating a sustainable kitchen doesn’t require a complete kitchen makeover, simply begin by incorporating these five tips and create a more sustainable kitchen for you and your family today.
