Best Eco Friendly Kitchen Products 2020

Do you want to be a little greener in the kitchen but have no idea where to start? I know I was completely overwhelmed, and still am to be honest, by all the products out on the market. Everywhere I look there’s eco friendly kitchen products that promise to be sustainable and yet don’t quite deliver. I know I don’t want to waste my money or time purchasing something that isn’t going to be durable, convenient or easy to use.

That’s why I decided to compile this list of my absolutely favorite kitchen swaps to help you get rid of plastic. Not only have I tried many of the products on this list but they also have great customer reviews. Most products can be found on Amazon, to make the transition as simple as possible for any beginners. However, I also looked for comparable products on EarthHero since they are a one stop shop for all sustainable products. At the end of the post I recommend some other sustainable shops to look for items if you want a zero waste shipping experience.

Getting Started with Sustainable Products

Starting simple and picking a few products to swap is a great way to incrementally make you way to sustainable living. It’s not about changing everything at once, instead take small steps to achieve results. Plus going in small incremental steps will make it much easier for you to commit to being more eco friendly instead of giving up on everything cold turkey and struggling to find alternatives for all of your favorite items.

Give yourself time to adjust and it’ll make the change so much more organic. You’ll feel a lot less pressure on yourself and you’ll give yourself time to become familiar with sustainable brands, terminology and best practices. Slow and steady wins the race!

Don’t Go Replacement Crazy

Don’t toss unused items just to replace them with their plastic free alternative. Use up whatever you have on hand first, even if it is plastic. Try not to buy for the sake of buying. Once you have used up what you have then you can purchase eco friendly kitchen products.

Repurpose if Possible

If you can repurpose items in your home then go ahead and do so before purchasing something new! For example, instead of buying mason jars repurpose tomato sauce jars or coffee jars to store items. Have an old cotton t-shirt that’s stained? Cut it up and turn it into cleaning rags.

The Best Eco Friendly Kitchen Products

#1 Silicone Baking Mats

I have a set of these silicone baking mats and honestly I use them for everything. They are incredibly resilient, easy to clean, and last forever. I’ve used it not only for baking desserts but for baking breads, vegetables and even a roast chicken.

#2 Mason Jars

Everything looks so aesthetically pleasing in a mason jar. I love using them for drinking my smoothies, storing leftover sauces, making pickled onions and storing dry goods. They are hardy, simple to clean, dishwasher friendly, multipurpose and so cute.

#3 Reusable Straws

When it comes to reusable straws you’ve got your option of materials to choose from. I prefer stainless steel straws since I know they will last forever. However, if you can’t stand the metal in your mouth feel then you’ll prefer the flexibility that silicone straws give you. Either choice is a win and both of these options come with brushes to make cleaning a breeze. I’ve seen glass straws and bamboo straw options but I definitely prefer the quality and durability of stainless steel much more.

#4 Glass Food Containers

While you should try to reuse and repurpose any existing containers before buying something new, these are a great option if you don’t have any. I use them for stashing leftovers or packing lunches. They can be put in the freezer, microwave and in the dishwasher. I love that they come in a variety of sizes so I can find the perfect fit for whatever I am trying to store. If you want something a bit more lightweight then consider stainless steel containers.

#5 Mesh Stainless Steel Strainers

Whenever we bake or boil vegetables we always use these stainless steel strainers. The size variations make them perfect for any job, whether its sifting flour through the smaller holes or separating contents from a pot. They are so convenient, they nest for easy storage and they are durable and simple to clean.

#6 Silicone Food Bags

These Stasher bags are worth every penny in my opinion. They are so incredibly multipurpose and durable. I have 5 and use them for everything. You can put them in the fridge or the freezer without damaging the bag or getting freezer burn on your food. You can microwave them or use them to cook on the stove. They are leak free so you can store sauces in there or fresh produce to keep your food fresh longer. Stasher bags can be used in every appliance in your kitchen making them an incredible eco friendly multipurpose gem.

#7 Beeswax Food Wrap

I won’t lie at first I thought beeswax wrap was a bit pricey for just a 3 pack. However, I made the commitment and purchased it once I considered how much saran wrap I go through in the kitchen. I’ve been completely surprised ever since. I have been using the wraps for three months now and have no problems so far, they are simple to use and completely reusable. While it was an investment up front, I plan on using these for months (according to the website they last for up to a year).

#8 Silicone Stretch Lids

These handy little lids are amazing! They have been my solution to containers that lost their lids. Even drinks I don’t finish get one of these lids placed on them and they stay fresh in the fridge. They are leakproof and can withstand a hefty amount of stretching. For me the best part is the versatility, I can put them on anything without worrying about finding a lid or using saran wrap.

#9 Compost Bins

Composting is a great way to reduce waste in your kitchen. All those kitchen scraps can be turned into fertilizer for your plants or garden. If you don’t have an outdoor area to place your compost you can research to see if your city offers curbside compost pickup. Also check your local farmers markets since many will take your compost.

#10 Dish Cloths

Swedish dish cloths can be machine washed, reused multiple times, quick drying, are incredibly absorbent and when they finally do reach the end of their life cycle you can compost them! They’re also multipurpose in the kitchen. They can be used to wipe up spills, general cleaning, as a paper towel replacement and for washing dishes. If you don’t want to use a cloth towel this is a great alternative as its much more absorbent.

#11 Coffee Maker

This stainless steel french press has no plastic and is easy to use. I love the tasty goodness of a fresh cup of coffee in the morning and this beauty give you that while being eco friendly. It keeps your coffee hot and accompanied by thousands of great reviews, it’s perfect for coffee drinkers. Prefer pour over coffee? Then check out the Bodum pour over coffee maker.

If you already have a Keurig then consider switching to reusable K-cups instead of the single use plastic cups. Or if you have a regular coffee machine then go for reusable coffee filters instead of the single use paper filters.

#12 Paper Towels and Napkins

You’ve got quite a few options here depending on your preference. The bamboo paper towels can be washed and reused over 100 times. The bamboo cloths are highly absorbent and if they begin to look overused you can repurpose them as a rag to clean other areas of the house.

The cotton dish cloths can be washed over and over again so there’s no need to replace. Talk about saving money on paper towels! If you find it tough cutting out paper towels entirely then at least go for an eco friendly brand that uses recycled paper like Seventh Generation.

#13 Reusable Snack Bags

If Stasher bags are a bit out of your price point currently, then give these other sandwich bag alternatives a try. They come highly reviewed and are reusable, leakproof and recyclable. Although they are not microwavable they can be put in the freezer.

#14 Cutting Boards

We use bamboo cutting boards in our cooking. They are durable and look really nice. They are perfect for setting up cheeseboards or displaying against your countertop as decoration pieces when you’re not using them. We have different sizes and styles of bamboo cutting boards so we know which is for vegetables and which is for meats. It’s a quick and simple way for us to prevent cross contamination in our cooking.

You can also use recycled plastic cutting boards if you’re not a fan of the wooden or bamboo boards. Getting different colored cutting boards can help you prevent cross contamination.

#15 Food Huggers

If you’re not a fan of beeswax to cover your open produce items food huggers may be the perfect solution for you. I use the avocado covers and they make them last longer and keeps them fresh and green. They adapt pretty well to most of my veggie shapes and sizes, I got the assorted pack so I could use it for multiple items. Easy to clean and durable, plus they do not take up a lot of space.

#16 Mixing Bowls

Currently we use stainless steel mixing bowls. I love how easy they are to clean since nothing really sticks to them. The stainless steel is lightweight and unbreakable which is a huge plus since I’m pretty clumsy.

I previously had a set of Tasty glass mixing bowls from Walmart and they shattered while I washed them. Apparently they were not tempered glass so when they went from cold temperature in the fridge to warm water while washing they completely shattered. If you go with glass make sure it is thick, tempered and durable so this doesn’t happen. I love pyrex glass products because they are high quality. Plus displaying the glass bowls or serving in them looks so cute.

#17 Glass measuring cups

No surprise, I love using pyrex glass products! They’ve definitely slipped out of my hand during washing before and there wasn’t a scratch because the glass is so thick. It makes cooking so much easier to measure everything out with all the conversions I need clearly displayed.

#18 Produce Bags

These are great to bring to farmers markets as well as your local grocery store. They are sturdy and can hold your produce at the store as well as in the fridge. They’re machine washable so you don’t have to worry if it gets dirty. An excellent alternative to plastic bags while shopping for produce. If you need finer mesh for grains you can also go for organic cotton alternatives.

#19 Grocery Bags

Not only do you get a 6 pack of reusable grocery bags, but they fold up neatly so you don’t need to worry about space. They also come in a ton of assorted patterns and colors so you’re sure to find one you like. I’ve got the one shown above and I find it so easy to pack my groceries and carry everything upstairs in one trip using these bags. They are very easy to clean and can even be thrown in the washing machine. I’ve filled them to the brim with things and haven’t had any issues with ripping or tearing of the fabric. Added bonus: they are waterproof so if anything is dripping from condensation or something spills and leaks, your bag will be perfectly fine.

#20 Dishwasher detergent

A simple switch that can save you quite a bit in plastic consumption. Whether you buy dishwashing soap by the bottle or in little pods like these, now theres an eco friendly biodegradable alternative. Made in the US and shipped in cardboard with no plastic packaging. They leave your dishes clean without any residue and has great reviews on Amazon.

#21 Dish Sponges / Brushes

Whether you use a sponge or a brush to wash your dishes there are eco friendly alternatives for both that do not contain plastic and will outlast your current sponge. Safe for use on nonstick pans, ceramics, stainless steel, and glass. These sponges are great for multipurpose cleaning as well and don’t need to be limited to only cleaning dishes!

#22 Compostable Trash Bags

Compostable trash bags are a great way to reduce plastic waste. These have great reviews and are completely biodegradable so you can use them in your composting. The bags do biodegrade faster when wet or hot foods are trashed so be careful if you leave your trash bag without changing for a full week.

#23 Cooking Utensils

With kitchen utensils go for stainless steel or bamboo. We use both in the kitchen depending on what we are making. I love the bamboo because it doesn’t scratch the pots and pans. The stainless steel is great for food that would discolor our bamboo utensils. We occasionally throw in a silicone spatula while baking too, full disclosure.

#24 Keep Your Produce Fresh Longer

These papers are great for preserving your fruits and veg 2-4 times longer. 8 sheets last you about 60 days and they can be reused. Just drop a sheet in any container and watch your produce last longer! Each sheet is biodegradable, compostable and recyclable so it makes for a great eco friendly product that can help you reduce food waste. They also have these sheets for baked goods so you can keep your breads fresh for longer.

#25 Dish Soap

Cut out the toxic cleaning agents from your kitchen with clean organic ingredients. If you are open to using a soap bar they are just as effective at cleaning and come with a lesser environmental impact. Otherwise, if you still want liquid dish soap you can go for a clean and green sustainable company. Mrs. Meyer’s, ECOS and Seventh Generation are great options.

Quick Guide to Buying Sustainable Products

Look for Plastic Free Products

Look for items containing no plastic when possible. If they do have plastic you want to make sure it is recycled. While a lot of the products listed above are on Amazon, if you want to shop completely sustainably then you’ll want to look elsewhere. Even if the product itself is eco friendly the packaging from Amazon contains plastic.

Shop Local

Try to purchase locally to reduce the carbon footprint of transportation. Farmer’s markets are great spots for local shopping, plus you’re supporting small business.

Do your Research

Read reviews! You’ll be testing out new products and brands you may not have heard of so be open minded and do your research. Reviews are a great way to see how products compare and can be a good source of information so you don’t waste your money. Finding facebook groups relating to eco friendly living are also great ways to find like minded individuals who can help you on your sustainable living journey!

Great websites for a sustainable shopping experience

• EarthHero is a one stop shop for all your sustainable living products. Plus they ship everything in eco friendly packaging. Use coupon code KAPPTAINCOOK for 10% off your order.

• LifeWithoutPlastic a shop with everything you need to go plastic free. Most products are made from cotton or stainless steel. If you’re into minimalist living, this site has great simple products to use.

These sites not only promote green products but they also ship without using plastic.

Look For B Corp Brands

I recommend getting familiar with sustainable brands that are B certified corporations. B corporations have made a commitment to balance environmental and social impact with business. They are reducing their footprint and making strides to be positive change agents.

Once you find a few companies and brands that you love it’s easy to shop and meet any purchase minimums to qualify for free shipping.

Are there eco friendly kitchen products you love that we didn’t mention? Let us know in the comments below!