When it comes to making eco-friendly kitchen decisions, very often the right choice for your well-being also benefits the planet.
There are so many little considerations, which all add up to a big difference. Sometimes, practicing ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ takes some active effort. It’s worth it though! When we cultivate awareness to reduce our impact, we all win. It might be easier than you think to make sustainable shifts, that are simple, effective and that don’t cost the earth!
Below we’ve compiled a few key tips for cultivating an eco-friendly kitchen.
1. Sharing is caring
There’s a cool global trend called a Kitchen Library, the first of which has opened up in Victoria. Think of a normal library, except rather than borrowing books, members can borrow appliances for up to a fortnight. The Library’s manager has stated;
‘it’s not just about affordability. People realise they don’t need to have all this stuff that they don’t use and which will end up in landfill eventually. Being able to come and borrow this stuff is the ideal solution.’
While these haven’t sprung up everywhere yet, watch this space! In the meantime, before investing in a new gadget, ask your friend circle if anyone has one to lend you. You might just be able to find the appliance or tool you need, without purchasing something you’ll barely ever use.
2. Eco-friendly wraps
The many dangers of cling-wrap are fairly widely understood. Fortunately there are some wonderful alternatives on the market. One example, are reusable silicone food wraps, like those from Big Bite Eco. These dishwasher-safe beauties will last years, and can eventually be recycled.
Another wonderful option can be found from our friends at Beeswax Wraps Australia, who offer reusable beeswax food wraps. Wonderfully, these wraps don’t contain any plastic. Rather, they involve an all-natural beeswax blend that actually strengthens the anti-microbial effects of the wrap! Easy to mould into shape, each wrap keeps food fresh and will last between eight to twelve months. Uniquely, wraps can also be purchased by the roll, ready to cut as desired by yourself. Best of all, consisting of only natural ingredients – this option is 100% compostable!
3. Eco-friendly Ingredients
The food you bring into your kitchen is just as important as the appliances in there. Organic grapes from Tuscany might feel like a treat in winter, but consider the impact of flying them to you! While the topic of ‘food miles’ is not actually as black and white as it seems – wherever possible, we recommend using your veggie purchase power at local farmers’ markets.
Or better yet, grow your own! Here at Happy Buddha, we’re the proud parents of beautiful herb and veggie patches, all of which you can taste and enjoy in your meals.
4.Going paperless
One of the easiest and most affordable ways to initiate an eco-friendly kitchen transition, is by swapping out single-use paper products for reusable options. For example, you can switch from using paper towels and napkins, to cotton and machine washable towels. Just as effective as wiping up messes and stains… the best thing is no trees are harmed in the process!
Here’s an example of some cool ‘paper-less paper towels’ from Eco Living Collective.
5. Outsourcing your shop
With a strong mission statement that is to:
‘untrash the planet by 1. stopping the production of new
single-use plastic, and 2. cleaning up the plastic junking up our oceans,’
Organisations like Zero Co are making a huge difference. An Australian company birthed from a crowd-funding campaign, this team directly delivers personal-care and home-cleaning products (in an ongoing manner), without single-use plastic. Part of their innovative system of using, mailing back and reusing – is that they create refill pouches from plastic waste diverted from landfill. This is a super easy and eco-friendly option for those too busy to get into the nitty gritty of choosing sustainable products!
[Image Credit: @YapNutrition from IG)
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Nisha is a freelance writer and Vedic astrologer, based in the magical Byron Hinterlands. As well as running her candle business, her life and loves involve: yoga, gardening and all things esoteric. You’ll find her out in nature, or curled up at home with a good book. Happy Buddha is one of her most treasured places on earth (and indeed where she met her fiancé!).
