10 Zero Waste Kitchen Swaps That Save You Money

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The kitchen is the heart of the home – it is also the largest source of our household waste. From excess packaging and single-use items to food waste, a zero waste kitchen might seem impossible. But that’s no reason to not try! There may never be “zero” in zero waste, but making small, simple changes has a BIG impact.

Remember, sustainable living is all about being mindful of our consumption – using what we already have and making better choices as we run out of things. Going slowly and making one change at a time also helps us to get used to a new way of doing things without feeling overwhelmed. A sustainable swap has to be sustainable for you!

These sustainable kitchen swaps may require a little investment at first, but they’ll save you money in the long run, reduce waste, and make your kitchen a lot more sustainable. I’ve kissed a few frogs in creating my zero waste kitchen, but these are the swaps I think make the most sense for your wallet and the planet.

Here are 10 affordable zero waste kitchen swaps that are worth making:

1. Cloth Towels Instead of Paper Towels

Paper towels are convenient, but they come with a lot of waste. Luckily, there’s a simple swap that can save you money and reduce landfill waste. And I promise…you can live without them!

Swap: Use cloth napkins, Swedish dish cloths, tea towels, unpaper towels, or rags made from old t-shirts or sheets. These can be washed and reused, keeping materials out of the trash and reducing your reliance on disposable paper towels. And since the average person uses 80 rolls of paper towel per year, this zero waste kitchen swap means BIG savings!

2. Reusable Food Storage Instead of Plastic Containers

Zippered plastic bags are a kitchen staple and I wash and reuse them until they are no longer usable. I do the same with takeout containers as black plastic is not recyclable. As I always say, it’s only single-use if you use it once! That being said, not all plastic bags and containers are made the same – many are flimsy, they may leach chemicals into your food, and none of them can be recycled.

Swap: Invest in reusable silicone bags (I love my Stasher bags!), mason jars, and glass containers for your food storage. You can use them for leftovers, meal prep, or even in the freezer. These options won’t leach into your food, are usually dishwasher safe, and can last for decades with proper care. We are still using glass jars from my great grandmother in our pantry!

3. Beeswax Wraps Instead of Plastic Wrap

Plastic wrap is flimsy and single-use. In other words, we buy a bad product just to throw it away. Covering food in non-breathable plastic can also cause it to go bad faster – the exact opposite of what we think it’s doing.

Swap: Beeswax wraps are a sustainable alternative to plastic wrap. They keep your food fresh and can be used over and over again. Plus, they’re compostable once they’ve reached the end of their life! I have tried several brands of wraps over the years, and these ones from Hive to Home are the best I have ever used by far.

4. Natural Scrubbers Instead of Plastic Sponges

Plastic sponges are typically treated with chemicals to prevent microbial growth, and we use them, they shed microplastics down the drain and into our waterways. They also wear out quickly and need to be replace with some frequency. Natural options, on the other hand, are made from materials that are naturally antimicrobial and last for years! They are also biodegradable and/or compostable at the end of life, so nothing is sent to landfill.

Swap: Choose natural dish brushes, Swedish dish cloths, loofahs, natural sponges, coconut scrubbers, or knitted cotton dish cloths. These options are free of synthetic materials, making them a great non-toxic choice for your home and the planet. My dishwashing station includes all of these, minus the loofah as I just cannot seem to grow them here!

5. Reusable Bags Instead of Plastic Bags

Plastic grocery and produce bags are a major source of waste and pollution. They’re difficult to recycle, often end up in landfills or waterways, and take hundreds of years to break down. Produce bags in particular drive me especially crazy! Your produce has been handled at every stage since it left the field – a few minutes in the cart won’t hurt it, but that plastic bag will last FOREVER.

Swap: Keep a stash of reusable tote bags for grocery shopping and swap flimsy plastic produce bags for reusable mesh or cotton ones. Storing your tote bags by the door or in your car makes them easy to grab on the way out. For produce, skip the bag entirely when possible – most fruits and veggies don’t need one at all! Reusable produce bags are truly one of the most versatile zero waste kitchen swaps!

6. Reusable Straws Instead of Plastic Straws

One of the first plastic-free swaps we made was reusable straws. When my kids were toddlers, the only surefire way to ensure they ate something decent was a smoothie. I tried several different types of reusables straws

Swap: Plastic straws have received a LOT of attention as an example of a single-use convenience product that most of us probably don’t need. Try NOT using them for a while and see how that goes – it might just be the swap that you don’t really need to make. If you want to use straws, choose the kind that best fits your needs. Silicone straws are great for smoothies, boba, and kids in general. Metal straws are a great option to toss in your bag when you’re going out. For parties, compostable straws are a good option as they can be composted.

7. Buying in Bulk Instead of Single-Use Packaging

Plastic packaging, especially in the grocery store, can add up quickly. Not only is it wasteful, these “convenience” items are more expensive than their bulk versions. Buying in bulk can mean many different things, from scooping out of bulk bins to buying the biggest volume of something possible. We do both! We buy a lot from our local bulk store, but we also do things like buy the 1L container of yogurt and spoon it into reusable containers rather than individual plastic cups for school lunches.

Swap: Shop in the bulk section with your own containers or reusable bags. You’ll find everything from grains to spices without the plastic packaging, and the best part is that you buy only what you need. If you don’t have access to refilling, aim for packaging made of paper, glass, or aluminum. Reducing food packaging will make the difference in your journey to a zero waste kitchen.

8. DIY Cleaning Products Instead of Conventional Cleaners

Store-bought cleaning products often come in plastic bottles (or single-use wipes) and are filled with harsh chemicals. Why not go simpler and greener?

Swap: Make your own cleaning products with ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, pine needles, and essential oils. There are also several wonderful companies making eco-friendly cleaning supplies, some of which you can purchase as refills in your own containers. Not only is this more sustainable, but it’s also cost-effective and non-toxic for your family.

9. Wooden or Bamboo Utensils Instead of Plastic

Plastic utensils cooking utensils are unsafe and will end up in the landfill after just a few uses. White plastic cutlery is usually used once and then tossed, but you can reduce waste (and toxins) with a simple swap.

Swap: Use bamboo, stainless steel, or wooden utensils that last much longer. These materials are durable, compostable, and a great way to cut back on plastic waste. Click the photo to learn how to care for your wooden utensils.

10. Compost Bin Instead of Trash Can for Food Scraps

Nothing properly breaks down in a landfill, not even food. Instead of biodegrading naturally, methane emissions are released into the atmosphere. In fact, if food waste was a country, it would be the 3rd largest contributor of greenhouse gases!

Swap: Set up a compost bin to turn food scraps into nutrient-rich soil instead of waste. Whether you use a backyard compost, a municipal green bin, or a countertop composting system, this swap keeps organic waste out of landfills and supports a circular food system.

For more strategies on how to prevent food waste, saving money, and creating a zero waste kitchen, check out my digital workbook – a beginner’s guide to a zero waste kitchen, helping you waste less and make the most of what you already have.

Prefer to listen instead? In this episode of the Sustainable in the Suburbs podcast, I share my top five practical, affordable, and genuinely useful swaps to help you cut down on plastic and reduce waste at home.