17 Kitchen Product Swaps Crucial For An Eco-Friendly Kitchen
This post contains affiliate links.
Here are my top 17 favorite must-know, 100% sustainable, inexpensive, and eco-friendly, kitchen product swaps that will amazingly improve your health and be kinder to the planet.
One quick note: if you can buy these things locally, PLEASE DO. Local traders are an important part of the economic revival, and your eco-store needs your help.
Kitchen Product Swaps For Non-Stick Pots & Pans
Non-stick pans are great to cook with, and it’s easy to see why.
The non-stick coating efficiently prevents food from sticking to the surface and requires little or no oil to achieve this. But are they safe?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is both yes and no. Non-stick coatings on older or flimsy bakeware are generally to be avoided.
These pots and pans can be coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), also known as Teflon, which is known to flake.
These flakes can then be ingested or scrubbed off into our waterways, where they can leach chemicals.
However, PTFE is not the primary problem. It is the synthetic bonding compound, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which is the real danger.
PFOA bonds the PTFE to the surface and is known to be a cancer-causing agent in animals.
PFOA exposure is linked to kidney and testicular cancer, colitis, thyroid problems, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure in pregnancy.
PTFE poses a risk due to the fluorine content, which can burn off at temperatures above 260C (500F).
Fluorine exposure can be dangerous to both humans and pets–especially birds, who have more sensitive respiratory systems.
However, recent advancements in the non-stick industry have made their products safer.
My advice is to do your research before making a purchase or avoid them altogether.
Newer ceramic cookware, for instance, has all the remarkable properties of non-stick but is PFOA-free.
To ensure that your cookware is safe and to have a healthy, eco-friendly kitchen, please read my article:
Is cooking with a non-stick coating dangerous? (PFOA and PTFE)
Alternative 1. Ceramic
Unlike the dangers associated with Teflon cookware, ceramic will not leach metal flakes into your food.
It is also easy to clean, durable doesn’t corrode, and can be used directly on the stovetop or in the oven.
Some dishes are also colored, embossed, or patterned to make a stylish addition to your eco-friendly kitchen.
However, not all ceramic vessels are kiln-fired and glazed.
New ceramic cookware can be pots and pans made of metal and then coated with a PFOA-free non-stick enamel.
This new type of ceramic cookware is sometimes referred to as “green” cookware and is chip and scratch-resistant.
Alternative 2. Glass
I love glass as it can be recycled directly back into itself over and over again in a true closed-loop system.
It is relatively cheap, and good glassware can last a lifetime.
Furthermore, it has no chemicals to leach, is available at all price points, and is easy to maintain what’s not to like!
Glass is the ultimate addition to any eco-friendly kitchen, and I can’t imagine mine without it!
Alternative 3. Cast Iron
The main reason many people love cast iron, apart from being gorgeous, is that they are chemical-free.
So, unlike some non-stick pans, you can cook at high heat, knowing that no dangerous chemicals will be released.
This is a particularly great feature when you need to sear a piece of meat or get that charred look.
Cast iron is heavy, holds an even heat, is virtually indestructible, and will cook anything you care to throw at it. You can even take it away with you and throw it on the BBQ.
Moreover, you can use virtually any kitchen utensil and not scratch it.
It will probably have a longer life than you!
Just remember to oil or season it so that it does not rust.
Alternative 4. Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is the choice for professional chefs, and for a good reason.
This versatile cookware will allow you to sear, brown, crisp, and simmer food without all the weight of cast iron.
However, like cast iron, you can quickly go from stovetop to oven and even under the grill if you wish to.
Furthermore, it will not rust, is induction compatible, does not stain, and has the durability of cast iron.
Another key selling point is that it will not degrade over time like ceramic and nonstick cookware.
Just be sure not to buy cheaply, as stainless steel is an amalgamation of metals.
Therefore higher quality is achieved through the addition of metal, and the higher the quality, the higher the price.
So if you have weak wrists or a core strength issue, then stainless steel might not be for you.
Alternative 5. Baking Mats
These brilliant little sheets get an honorable mention here as they are so versatile.
These handy kitchen mats can replace your baking parchment and even do double duty in making crafts.
If required, they can even go straight from the freezer to the oven and can be cut to line your baking tins.
Non-stick but clingy on kitchen counters, these handy mats make a great surface for kneading dough or rolling.
Initially, they are a little more expensive than baking parchment, but they are washable and can last up to two years.
However, the upside to baking parchment is that, unlike baking mats, parchment paper promotes crispness and browning.
It can also be used to line muffin tins, make impromptu piping bags, and can be folded.
My main concern is that baking parchment creates a lot of waste as it is essentially a disposable item.
This will increase your carbon footprint, increase your time in the kitchen, and create more mess.
This is why I carry both and would advise that you carry both also.
In this way, you can use baking sheets frequently and be eco-friendly in your kitchen by cutting down on your use of disposable items.
Kitchen Product Swaps For Harsh Cleaners
Many household cleaning products such as furniture polish, oven/drain cleaners, and even air fresheners are classed as hazardous waste.
If you don’t believe that they are toxic, here are some examples:
- Ammonia – in glass cleaner – eye and lung irritants can cause headaches.
- Phenol and Cresol – in disinfectants – can cause diarrhea, fainting, and kidney and liver damage.
- Nitrobenzene – in some polishes – can cause shallow breathing, vomiting, and death.
- Sodium hypochlorite – in chlorine bleach – may cause asthmatic and respiratory problems.
Also, household cleaning products and solvents may contain chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
These compounds can be very toxic to both you and the environment.
For this reason, many governments are restricting the inclusion of VOCs or removing them altogether.
Alternative 1. DIY Cleaners
The easy alternative to these toxic products is to make your own from natural ingredients.
Honestly, it is easier than you think and only takes a few basic elements.
You probably already own many of these, such as baking soda, vinegar, essential oils, and beeswax.
Furthermore, it will reduce the number of toxins in the air and plastic in the world.
Plus a bonus, it will save you money whilst also improving your health.
Here are some DIY natural cleaning tips and recipes to get you started:
23 Reader Suggested Natural Cleaning Recipes That Actually Work
35 Uses For Bicarbonate Of Soda In The Kitchen (Cleaning)
Kitchen Product Swaps For Paper Towels
Alternative 1. Cloth
Paper towels are thought to be a good addition to the eco-friendly kitchen.
They are made from a natural material, recyclable, compostable, and decompose quickly.
However, the amount of deforestation that occurs annually to produce paper towels is frightening.
It is also estimated that about 254 million tons of paper towels are discarded around the world every year.
This changes it from being a sustainable product to being a frivolous luxury item.
A simple rag or clothing offcut can do the same job and be recyclable, compostable, and decompose.
Here you can find a sleek-looking reusable towel roll to match your decor and never be short of a cloth.
HOLDER + 24 Pre-rolled UNPAPER TOWELS. Vintage Lemons
The size of the towels is 12″x 10.” Towels are 1 ply, and edges are serged for durability and to prevent fraying.
Absorbency is increased after the first few washes and will shrink just enough to be the perfect size for your holder.
Our UNpaper towels naturally cling together, making it easy to roll them up on the dowel without the need for snaps.
Kitchen Product Swaps For Of A Conventional sponge
A 2017 study published in Scientific reports shows that your kitchen sponge probably contains more bacteria than your toilet.
Most kitchen sponges are also made from polyester or nylon, which does not biodegrade.
This means that they will sit in a landfill for many years and then leach chemicals into the environment.
All in all, cheap, poorly manufactured sponges can be considered a bad thing.
Alternative 1. Swedish Dishcloth
Swedish dishcloths are easy to use, washable, biodegradable, and made from 100% natural, earth-friendly materials.
These dishcloths also air dry quicker, meaning slower bacteria growth, and they can be popped into the dishwasher for sanitizing!
Swedish dishcloths have all the functionality of a sponge combined with the versatility of microfibre cloth.
Personally, I don’t recommend microfibre cloths as they leach microbeads of plastic into the environment.
Every year, half a million tons of plastic microfibers are dumped into the ocean. That’s the equivalent of 50 billion plastic bottles!
Alternative 2. Organic Sponge
A natural sponge/loofah is grown from the ground up and is a great alternative to plastic, silicone, and plastic mesh poufs and sponges.
Organic sponges are grown and harvested free of chemicals and processes that could harm the environment, making them very eco-friendly.
They are a great natural alternative to traditional kitchen sponges and rarely scratch surfaces.
But amazingly, they do provide enough solid abrasion to get the job done.
As a bonus, they have a very stylish appearance and will look great in any eco-friendly kitchen.
Alternative 3. Copper Scouring Pad
For your heavy-duty baked-on residue, a copper scourer is preferable to stainless steel scourer as the metal is softer.
This means that you are less likely to scratch sensitive surfaces even with a rough hand.
Copper scourers can be used on your pots, pans, sinks, glasses, and even stainless steel.
They are so useful if you want to, you can even clean your motorcycle with them!
Dad’s tip; Too deep clean all of the above sponge alternatives;- soak for a few hours in 1 part white or apple cider vinegar to two parts water and a little lemon juice.
Kitchen Product Swaps For Plastic Food Containers
Think about this; 300 million tonnes of new plastic are being produced each year.
And it can take up to one thousand years for plastic to disintegrate back into its elements.
Then as it does so, it releases harmful chemicals into the environment and thus into many species of life.
This is why we need to reduce our dependence on plastic and remove it from our kitchens.
To do this, we need to start with the small stuff such as plastic food containers.
Plastic containers stain, crack, smell, and in some cases, can contain Bisphenol A, which is a known endocrine disruptor.
Exposure to BPA can cause:
- Changes in the development and behavior of infants and children
- Harm and changes in a developing fetus
- Interference with the body’s natural hormones
- Changes in reproductive function
Bisphenol A is used in the manufacturer of some plastics, including food and drink can linings.
However, it is no longer used in Europe in PET food and drink containers.
So although plastics are lightweight, easy to use, and convenient, they are not the best solution for a sustainable world.
Furthermore, if your goal is to have a healthy, eco-friendly kitchen, plastics should be strongly discouraged.
I would suggest replacing your existing plastics with an eco-friendly alternative only when your existing plastic becomes unsafe.
Alternative 1. Glass
For storing food at home, a good glass jar is my all-time favorite alternative to plastic.
It is washable, stain-resistant, looks good, and can be permanently recycled.
Glass jars can be bought, gifted, repurposed, frozen, chilled, and carried.
The only limit is your imagination, so forget the new plastic purchase and change it to eco-friendly glass today.
Alternative 2. Stainless Steel
Say goodbye to your dull, stained, or BPA plastic containers and say hello to your bright new alternative.
Stainless steel is tough, lightweight, and, more importantly, non-toxic and germ-resistant.
It’s reassuring to know that your family food will stay as fresh as the moment you put it in there.
Therefore, stainless steel is perfect for those packed lunches and impromptu picnics that the kids love.
Dad’s Tip: When you dine out, carry them with you as they make the perfect doggy bag box or waste carrier.
If you want a great, good-looking alternative to plastic, then stainless steel is the way to go.
Alternative 3. Silicone
Silicone is a synthetic rubber that is lighter than glass and steel but does not have the same rigidity.
It’s fast becoming a popular kitchen essential and can be made into virtually any shape, from muffin cases to lunch boxes.
Silicone is believed to have low toxicity and thermal stability whilst also being non-stick and easy to clean.
It can go straight from the oven to the freezer and has no odors that will affect the food quality.
However, at present, it doesn’t biodegrade and can’t be recycled, so it’s not all good news.
Silicone is, however, a safer alternative to Teflon or other perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOA) non-stick items when used for cooking.
But, for safety’s sake, be sure to buy food-grade silicone products and avoid the cheap alternatives.
In a similar way to stainless steel, a rise in price often equates to an increase in quality.
Plus, the stability of low-grade silicones might be compromised at temperatures exceeding 220 C (428 F).
To date, I know of no known issues around lower temperature use, but it’s always prudent to buy higher quality products.
Alternative 4. Aluminum
Strangely enough, aluminum is not found as a free metal on earth and needs to be processed to form metal slabs.
These slabs are then pressed and rolled to create the aluminum products that we know and love.
Aluminum is also the most abundant metal on earth and is even present in the air we breathe.
It would appear then that aluminum would be the perfect choice for the eco-friendly kitchen. However, not all is as it seems…
Recent studies have shown that aluminum can break down and leach into foods.
The leaching amount can surpass that allowed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) & the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
For more information, please read:
Is Aluminum Foil Safe For The Cooking, Wrapping, & Storing Of Food?
Aluminum as an acceptable food cooking, wrapping, or storing element is still being investigated, which saddens me.
I have used this product for years, but for the moment, I cannot in good faith recommend it.
This is because my research indicates that the suspected risk to health over the long term is significant.
For this reason, I would recommend using glassware, stainless steel, or good-quality food-grade silicone in your kitchen.
Alternative 5. Beeswax Food Wraps
These stylish-looking wraps are a great alternative to plastic and are a lovely addition to any kitchen.
Beeswax wraps are made of beeswax and a type of fabric, usually cotton or hemp.
This gives them excellent antibacterial and antifungal properties whilst also being watertight.
They keep the food fresh as they lock in moisture and let the food breathe. Something that plastic wraps, being airtight, never do.
Beeswax wraps have effectively replaced my dependence on aluminum foil.
Chiefly because they allow me to organically cover, wrap, and store cold foods safely.
They are also biodegradable, compostable, reusable, and smell like a summer day.
Furthermore, they are super simple to use.
Simply use your hands to mold the wrap around your food and hold them there for a moment.
Your hands’ warmth will soften the wrap and allow it to mold itself tightly around the food.
Release your grip, and as it cools, it will harden and form the airtight seal you need.
It’s so simple even I can do it!
Starter kit, set of 5, beeswax food wraps. Zero-waste and Eco-friendly
OLSEN+OLSEN’s wrap is an easy way to help you reduce the use of plastic in the kitchen. They are a versatile solution for sustainable food storage.
Plastic wrap and plastic bags are some of the easiest ways we contribute to waste. If you’re looking for a zero-waste alternative, beeswax wraps are easy to use, all-natural, and work just as well.
Alternative 6. Cloth
This might not be to everyone’s taste, but people have been wrapping food in cloth for centuries.
There is even a method of wrapping and folding specially designed and adapted for this purpose.
It is called the Furoshiki method and is a great way to eliminate your need for plastic lunch boxes.
The Furoshiki method of wrapping is the most sustainable and ecologically friendly way of wrapping on earth, and I love it.
Never be without a bag, know how to wrap gifts, and be kind to the earth, who could ask for more.
Alternatively, if it’s just a small bowl of food that you need to cover, just lay a cloth over your bowl and add an elastic band to secure it tightly.
Kitchen Product Swaps For Plastic Utensils
Plastic utensils look cheap, break down over time, and can leach harmful chemicals into food.
They are a major contributor to kitchen-related landfills and take thousands of years to disintegrate.
Plus, there is barely a house in the country that doesn’t have a drawer full of unused items.
Alternative 1. Bamboo
Bamboo is technically a grass and can be cut without killing the plant.
This makes bamboo a highly renewable, eco-friendly resource.
It’s also relatively cheap and is stain, heat, germ, and odor resistant whilst also being 100% biodegradable.
All of these qualities make it perfect for crafting into kitchen utensils, bowls, and tools.
It’s also stylish enough to be considered an excellent wedding gift and will not scratch non-stick surfaces.
If you want to replace your kitchen utensils over time, then bamboo is probably the best long-term eco-friendly choice.
Your Eco-Friendly Kitchen Product Swaps At A Glance
Your kitchen product swaps alternatives for cooking are Ceramic, Glass, Cast Iron, Stainless steel, and Baking mats.
Your kitchen product swaps alternatives for cleaning are Diy cleaners, Cloths, Swedish dishcloths, an Organic sponge, and a Copper scouring pad.
Your kitchen product swaps alternatives for food storage are Glass, Stainless steel, Silicone, Aluminum, Beeswax food wraps, and Cloth.
Your kitchen product swap alternative for those pesky plastic bits and bobs is Bamboo utensils.
In Summary
A lot more could be discussed here, but for me, these are the easiest swaps to gain the maximum benefit.
Kitchen utensils should be a bigger target, but I thought it best only briefly to mention them given their extensive range.
Otherwise, this article would seem endless!
But no matter what stage you are at along your journey;- don’t be stressed by the sustainability level of your eco-friendly kitchen.
Just change a little at a time and research what is best for you.
This article has shown you a few different options, but honestly, there are thousands out there.
My advice is to start small, think about the health cost to you and the environment, and buy within your price bracket.
Believe me when I say;- “before you know it, your kitchen will be more eco-friendly than ever!”
Oh, and don’t forget to change to metal straws if you use them.
Yes, it is a trendy swap to make but nevertheless, it’s still highly impactful.
So simple, so sustainable.
Good luck : )
Related Posts
Baking Soda Vs Baking Powder – What’s The Difference?
27 Fantastic Quotes About Sustainability, Eco-Living & The Environment
27 Beautiful Ocean Quotes That Make You Want To Protect Them
27 Incredibly Short But Powerful Sustainability Quotes
27 Funny, (Strange) Environmental Quotes That Make You Think & Smile
Recyclable Plastics 1-7 What They Are And What They Become?
