So, you’re interested in creating a zero Waste kitchen? That’s brilliant!

Except… where on earth should you start?

We know that switching to a zero waste lifestyle, even if it’s just one room in your home, is a bit daunting. We felt the same when we first made the switch! 

That’s why this guide has been created, so you can find out exactly how to build a zero Waste Kitchen and where you should start, step by step.

Oh, and it’s totally okay to start small. Every little change, swap and purchase (or avoided purchase!) is a step in the right direction.

In fact, clicking on this guide was that very first step.

Give yourself a pat on the back for getting here, and get ready to find out what a zero waste kitchen is all about.

Let’s dive right in:

Zero Waste Kitchen Essentials

Observe your habits

Do you buy a whole loaf of bread each week, but half of it goes mouldy before you can eat it?

Make a note of that. 

This first step is all about noting down what you’re throwing away. Take a peek inside the bin when you take out the rubbish – what’s in there? Straight away, you’ll see a few things that could have been avoided, or recycled, or composted, or used up in a different way.

Boom. That’s the first step of going zero waste done.

Don’t waste your time

Next up, learn to pick your battles.

For some people, going zero waste means things like jarring your own tomatoes as tomato sauce in bulk.

But it isn’t essential.

Trying to go full-blown all-out zero waste, off-the-grid, all at once, will backfire.

Doing everything yourself isn’t always the essence of a zero waste lifestyle. If you can buy an item with refillable or reusable packaging, e.g. jam, then you shouldn’t feel bad that you couldn’t make it at home.

Action: go through this article and highlight one or two points as your priority. Take things step by step and build up.

Shop at zero waste stores

It’s much quicker than hunting through the supermarket to find the least packaged items.

To make things even easier, we have a list of 220+ loose food shops in the UK. 

Check their refill policies online, then take your jars and containers with you. More tips on organising these later…

Buy regulars in bulk

Buying in bulk is good if you have the space.

It doesn’t save on packaging if you buy from a loose food shop anyway, but it does save trips to the store which conserves energy and time.

If you have space for a 50lb sack of rice, go for it.

Our regulars include:

• Rice
• Pasta
• Flour
• Tinned tomatoes
• Cereal 
• Grains 

Visit farmer’s markets

Shopping at zero waste stores often means buying the exact same item from the same brand, week after week.

That’s great for reducing waste, but it gets a bit boring.

Visiting a farmer’s market gives you a chance to buy local, seasonal produce and discover something new without the plastic wrapper around it.

Another option is to subscribe to a regular veg box, so each week you’re surprised with new seasonal, UK produce on your doorstep.

But don’t buy things you don’t need

This is one of the biggest zero waste kitchen essentials.

If you don’t need or want it, then don’t buy it.

Make a shopping list of the things you need, add space for a little luxury or spontaneity (e.g. try a new veg or indulge on some chocolate), and leave it there.

Action: make this your mantra when you go shopping so you don’t get sucked in by special offers and ‘new’ stickers. If you can’t think of how you’ll use it, don’t buy it.

Reduce packaging as much as possible

Sometimes, you’ll need to compromise.

If an item isn’t available with zero packaging (check supermarkets, Amazon, specialty stores, contacting local producers, and even Facebook sharing/sales groups), then you might need to drop it.

But generally, zero waste is a goal, not a rule.

Try as hard as you can to reduce packaging and waste, but don’t beat yourself up or quit when it’s just not possible.

Compost

Even with food waste schemes across the UK, we believe it’s better to compost yourself rather than letting the council deal with your food.

They still send much of our organic waste to landfill.

• Food scraps
• Tea bags and coffee grinds
• Paper packaging
• Organic cotton clothes
• Garden clippings

All of this can be composted with a little patience. And if you don’t need compost for your garden, your nearest community garden will love it.

Top Tips for Kitchen Organisation

Okay, so you’ve introduced new packaging-free products into your kitchen, your fridge is full of delicious seasonal veggies, and your waste bin is delightfully empty. 

Here are some tips to keeping your kitchen zero waste as everyday life takes over.

Organising Zero Waste Food and Products

To help you use your new, zero waste kitchen effectively, follow these tips.

Use perishables first 

Organise your cupboards and fridge by use by date, so you use up the items that will go off faster, thus reducing waste.

Keep a shelf or drawer in your fridge free, for items that are about to spoil.

When it comes to mealtimes, make sure you use them up before anything else.

Label your jars and containers

A good tip to prevent unneeded purchases is to label your jars for specific things, e.g. wholegrain flour, pasta, rice…

The idea is, you can’t buy something if you don’t have a jar for it!

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Keep your food waste

All food waste is separated into two piles – the stuff that can be composted, and the stuff that can’t.

Place the food waste in a sealable box or bin, somewhere within easy reach of where you prep your meals, so you won’t forget to pop scraps into the box.

Extra tip: save scraps like carrot tops, onion and garlic peels, and broccoli stalks. Simmer these with Sunday’s roast chicken carcass to make your own chicken stock.

Minimise kitchen appliances

Do you need a stick blender and a food processor, for example?

Reduce your kitchen appliances to those that you really need, and assess how energy efficient they are.

A slow cooker can sometimes be more energy efficient than an oven!

Sustainable utensils

As your current plastic, silicone and metal utensils wear down until they’re no longer usable or break, replace them with sustainable alternatives. 

The key is, don’t just throw away perfectly usable items to make your kitchen more eco! That just creates unnecessary waste.

Kitchen On-The-Go

From heading out to pick up the takeaway, to Sunday farmer’s market visits, to morning coffee meetings, organise your zero waste kitchen accordingly.

Have reusable bags to-hand

Since the 5p plastic bag charge began in the UK, reusable bags have become the norm.

Just to make sure you don’t accidentally forget one on an impromptu shopping trip, scrunch up one and keep it in your bag at all times.

Hide a few in the boot of your car too.

Keep in your bag…

If you like to eat and drink on the go, think about adding these items to your everyday bag:

• Reusable coffee cup,
• Stainless steel water bottle, 
• Reusable straw, 
• Cloth napkin or handkerchief,
• Bamboo cutlery,
• 1 sheet of beeswax food wrap (for leftovers).

Get your takeaway in your own containers

Take your own set of containers with you to the Indian takeaway, so the food can go straight in them rather than those plastic tupperware pots. Call ahead to check it’s possible first, though!

Organising Cleaning Products

Zero waste does not equal zero mess!

When your worktops get a little messy or the floor feels sticky, whip out these zero waste cleaning products.

Kitchen sink tidying

Ditch the sponges and try bristle brushes instead that can be used over and over.

Also, did you know that most modern dishwashers use less water than hand-washing in the sink?

Action: if you do wash the dishes by hand, fill the sink up with soapy water rather than washing each item individually under a running tap.

Floor cleaners

This goes for surface cleaners and dish soap too – natural is best!

You can find some refillable cleaning liquids in zero waste stores.

Look for natural, non-toxic ingredients that are safe for your family… and the planet when it’s flushed down the sink.

Countertops and surfaces

Ditch the kitchen roll paper towels and use cloths instead.

Use a cloth to mop up that spilled orange juice, then throw it in a designated box or bag until it can be washed.

8 Quirky Zero Waste Kitchen Ideas and Swaps

Cling film alternatives

If the old ‘plate on top of a bowl’ trick isn’t working for you, try:

• Glass boxes with lids
• Bowl covers
• Washed out jam jars
• Beeswax wraps
• Reusable sandwich bags
• More alternatives here

Food storage

In the fridge, stick to see-through items so you can see what’s actually in there, and what’s about to spoil.

For cupboards, swap plastic bags and containers for clip top jars. Use dark coloured glass jars and bottles for foods that will spoil when exposed to light, e.g. olive oil, loose tea, and coffee beans.

Cloth bread bags are designed to keep your bread fresh from the baker.

Metal tins are great lunch boxes for keeping food cool.

Pots and pans

A good, non-stick pan requires little or no oil to cook your foods perfectly. Avoid Teflon. Ceramic non-stick coated pans are the best, as they’re non-toxic too!

To reduce washing up waste, opt for one-dish dinner recipes where possible as well.

Baking 

Silicone baking sheets, cupcake trays, and other baking tools are long-lasting and don’t need greasing.

That’s a lot of butter, oil and greaseproof paper saved.

Although silicone isn’t the most eco-friendly material, it can last just as long and save more waste than metal alternatives.

Tea and coffee

Invest in a tea strainer and a coffee press – now you can buy loose tea and ground coffee in bulk, without needing paper filters and teabags.

If you can’t live without your coffee maker, try compostable coffee pods instead.

Paper towels

Ditch them!

Try cloth napkins and non-paper towels that can be reused over and over and over…

Bonus points: cut up old towels, sheets and clothes to use as rags instead

Cleaning tools

Scrubbing brushes and pipe cleaners are great for sturdy items like plates, pots, and your new reusable straw… but for more delicate items, like fine china, the kitchen sponge is best as it won’t leave scratches.

Look for compostable sponges, like wood pulp sponges, or even use those cloth napkins again to gently clean.

Bin liners

You could do without them, actually.

Fill your empty bin up, or just line it with newspaper, then empty it directly into the dustbin.

Be prepared to wipe clean the inside of your bin regularly though.

If that’s not your cup of tea, check out biodegradable bin liners instead.

Zero Waste Kitchen FAQs

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Your eco kitchen starts to look good and you’re looking to bring the zero waste lifestyle to every aspect of your life? You’re up for a wonderful challenge. And we can help you! Check out our guide to a zero waste lifestyle and start on the right foot.

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