In the age of absurd commercials (thanks in large part to the infamous Squatty Potty) I fell in love with an eco-friendly alternative with an equally ridiculous ad—the FinalStraw. I mean obviously, the perks of a reusable, earth-friendly straw and other easy eco-friendly swaps were not lost on me, but damn, if that marketing didn’t completely suck me in hook, line, and sinker. (Pun *absolutely* intended.) So in celebration of my introduction to the ever-growing eco-friendly alternative community, here is a list of kitchen goodies that are easy and accessible swaps for someone trying to transition to a smaller carbon footprint in 2021!
Easy Ziploc Swap
I know we all really love the convenience of those small plastic baggies, but Ziploc has some serious competition nowadays. With reusable alternatives like the woman-owned (re)zip, which is leak-proof and BPA free, the benefits of a single-use bag starts to lose its shine.
Likewise, Stasher bags are dishwasher-safe, with a cult following on Instagram, and Bumpkins sandwich bags are made from a waterproof and stain-resistant fabric that comes in a multitude of patterns—perfect for visually-picky kiddos.
Wash, Rinse, Repeat
I know most of us don’t really think of something as basic as dish soap when we think of easy eco-friendly swaps. After all, you wash the soap away, right? But all those plastic containers, wrappers, boxes… they add up. Which is where zero-waste alternatives like No Tox Life’s Vegan Dish Block come in. The packaging is biodegradable, and consumers located in Los Angeles can actually get no-waste refills from their flagship store.
Alternatively, Bestowed Essentials Zero Waste Dish Soap Bar is produced by an all-female team in Rapid City, South Dakota that actively promotes other female-run businesses in their zero-waste shop.
And for those looking to support small businesses, Sea Witch Botanicals on Etsy produces a plant-based, chemical-free “Canary Clean” Zero Waste Dish Soap Bar.
How To Keep Your Produce Fresh
Nothing, nothing, makes me sadder than a box of berries that starts to mold the day after I buy them. So imagine how ecstatic I was to discover that produce-extenders were a thing!
The FRESHGROW Co. Freshpaper food saver sheets are 100% organic and chemical-free. You just slip a sheet in with your produce, and voila! Produce that lasts two to four times longer than you’re used to.
Debbi Meyer’s GreenBags operate on the same concept, but come as bags you place your produce in. Unlike Freshpaper, the GreenBags are good for up to 10 uses and can be used on flowers too.
Last, but not least, Farberware Food Huggers work by creating a seal on cut produce. Top off that half-avocado with a snug new hat, and forget you ever worried about browning or mushiness.
Saran Wrap Swaps
Much like the Ziploc, where would most of us be without plastic wrap in our lives? If you’ve ever felt that creeping guilt as you tear off sheet after sheet, here are a few eco-friendly swaps that are just one online cart away:
Bee’s Wrap creates beeswax-coated sheets that are reusable, washable, multi-functional, and compostable.
Operating off of a similar concept as Faberware, Modfamily Silicone Stretch Lids create a vacuum seal with silicone covers that fit snuggly over bowls of varying sizes.
And for those that are actively looking to patron small businesses, Marley’s Monsters makes fabric bowl covers that are corded to create a custom fit!
K-Cup Alternatives
Raise your hand if you’re guilty of feeding into the K-cup craze from the early 2000s. Thankfully, since their popularization, Keurig has come out with the My K-cup as a re-usable alternative for their original single-use pods. If you’re trying to step away from Keurig however, and are too lazy to wash the cup after each use (c’est moi), try alternatives like the Maxware reusable 4-pack.
And for those who want an even more eco-friendly swap, San Francisco Bay Gourmet Coffee’s OneCUP is a compostable, biodegradable pod that comes in packs of 12 to 120.
Still Sucked In
Ah, at last, my favorite category—reusable straws! The FinalStraw first launched in 2018 and created a market for a portable, long-lasting alternative to single-use plastic. Since then, a whole market of alternatives has bloomed, but FinalStraw’s tacky-ad mermaid will always hold a special place in my heart.
For those who prefer bendy straws, the silicone Koffie Straw comes pre-bent and can be trimmed to fit shorter cups.
You can also find plenty of clever alternatives like reusable glass straws and straws made of bamboo, by shopping some of the zero waste shops mentioned here.
Have another easy eco-friendly swap we didn’t talk about? Let us know in the comments!
[…] on sustainability played an active role in my day to day activities and lifestyle. I discovered simple swaps that I could make or actions I could take that could make a positive impact on the world around me […]