Zero waste kitchen

Getting rid of plastic packaging in the kitchen is a real challenge. After all, the kitchen is a place where we store most of our everyday shopping. Supermarkets usually don’t make it easier. Plastic packages make almost half the amount of plastic used by individual consumers. So what to do? First of all, find a zero-waste shop in your neighborhood. The idea of those is to avoid redundant plastic. Instead if theme, you can bring your own jars, containers and sewed bags. (Here is a link to the blog with a tutorial on how to sew a bento-bag: https://zerowastechef.com/2018/10/10/how-to-sew-a-bento-bag/ ) If you can’t find one, don’t worry. You can still buy in your favorite local supermarket, just avoid buying things wrapped up in plastic. Whenever you find something packed in it, when there's no need, inform the shop manager or call the client support line.


The next thing is buying fresh products. On local markets, you can find food straight from the box. Even such a trivial thing can reduce your waste. Supermarkets claim that wrapping vegetables in plastic extends the freshness and limits food waste. For example, a cucumber wrapped in polyethylene may stay fresh up to 14 days and the “naked” one only up to 3 days. Well, it’d be great to admit that, but unfortunately, this isn’t the entire truth. The last report made by Friends of the Earth organization reveals the correlation between increased production of plastic packages and food waste. Between 2004 and 2014 the amount of wasted food doubled and the plastic packages production lifted by 25%. The report claims that plastic packages favor food waste because the producers want to catch the client’s eye. They do it by offering products in huge packages or sales such as 2 for 1. As a result, we buy more than we actually need and the leftover food is usually thrown away. Our excessive standards about the look of the fruits and vegetables also contribute to food waste. Just choosing the imperfect apples with wrinkled skin may save the fruit from being cleared out.


But how to cut waste, not only plastic but every crud we produce. For example, swap your paper towels to material ones. You can buy them online or sew on your own. A lot of brands now offer packs of 20 or 50 pieces. After using one, you wash them and don’t produce any waste. The same with your dishwasher, just use luff-wash instead. It’s made of a dried plant that has a spongy consistency. What’s even better, that you can just grow your own luff-sponge at home. (Check out this tutorial: https://www.motherearthliving.com/gardening/growing-luffa-sponges-zm0z18mazols )

Even if you’re not an advanced, long-term zero waster, remember that every baby step brings us closer to the clean Earth. Essantially, it’s what we are all reaching for.

Luff sponges.

Amelia