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! 

*photo by @charityvictoria

The post 6 Easy Eco-Friendly Kitchen Swaps You Didn’t Know You Needed appeared first on Eco Club.

8 zero waste kits for beginners

Making or purchasing a zero waste starter kit is an important (if symbolic more than anything) first step, but it is only one step. It’s a journey, not a destination, you know? And these simple zero waste starter kits are designed to set you on your way with ease:

Ecozied’s zero waste gift set is an affordable, thorough and practical package for anyone starting on a sustainable living journey. It includes eco dish cloths, wax food wrap, dish sponge, brushes, and toothbrushes and floss!

Package Free has great deals on their kits right now. Shown above are their Laundry Kit (excited to try their stain stick!) and Cleaning Kit. Find more Package Free zero waste kits here.

Tare Market’s Zero waste market kit contains a mesh bag, produce bags, beeswax wraps, straw and utensils, and comes package-free.

Coming from La Pepa Boutique in the UK, this starter kit has different sized bags, an organic cotton bath puff (cute, huh?), organic hemp cotton face pads, and crochet face scrubbies.

This bundle from self proclaimed plastic haters MeMotherEarth hits all the essentials: produce bags, toothbrush, dish sponge, hand brush and more.

16 piece sustainable kitchen starter set by TheJewelryBx21

I love that brands are starting to combine wellness and self care packages with zero waste products! JnLNaturals offers a self care kit with handmade and personal care goodies like aluminum free deodorant, a face mask, konjac sponge and more. Such a good sustainable gift idea!

Lastly, shout out to Eco Collective and Public Goods + Services here in Seattle. And if you’re looking for a bulk refill store in Seattle, The Naked Grocer is in Capitol Hill. These shops don’t have pre-packed kits for sale, but you can check off many of your zero waste necessities within them. Obviously, these are all just ideas and options for going the online route, but if you can get what you need at a local shop, even better!

Who here has a good go-to zero waste or plastic-free shop? Find more eco friendly finds here!

PS This is a 2023 update of a post originally published back in 2019! If you came here from Pinterest you might have seen some different photos. I’ve removed products that are no longer being offered and replaced them with fresh new ones you can find now. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about this update!

The post 8 Simple, Beautiful Zero Waste Starter Kits for the Absolute Beginner appeared first on Eco Club.