10 Easy Swaps for a Zero Waste Kitchen in 2025 –

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In 2025, making small but impactful changes in your kitchen can help reduce waste and create a more sustainable home. A zero waste kitchen is all about embracing eco-friendly alternatives, reducing single-use plastics, and being mindful of what we consume. By implementing simple swaps in your kitchen, you can not only contribute to a healthier planet but also save money and make your cooking space more efficient. In this article, we’ll explore 10 easy swaps that will help you transition to a zero waste kitchen, creating a more sustainable and organised space for your everyday meals.

Easy swaps for a zero waste kitchen

1. Switch to reusable baking mats 

I was gifted my Poppy Bee reusable baking mats in 2018, and I still use them to this day. They are so easy to use, clean, and can be reused indefinitely. It’s such a simple but effective swap, that I’d highly recommend. Unfortunately I don’t think the Poppy Bee mats are available any more, but I’ve found these ones that are just as good: *KitchenRaku Silicone Baking Mat Set of 3. It’s a good idea to get a few different sizes to suit your needs. Make sure the ones you buy are FDA approved, made from LFGB certified food-grade silicone, and are BPA free.

2. Replace cling film with reusable food wraps 

I’ve spoken a lot in the past about cling film. It’s one of those really handy-to-have things in the kitchen, but it is single use and is made from plastic, both of which aren’t great. The good news is there are loads of eco-friendly alternatives to choose from. I even wrote a whole blog dedicated to the subject, which you can find here: 7 Reusable Alternatives to Cling Film.

My favourite alternative go-to are *reusable soy food wrap, *silicone reusable lids, and clear *glass food containers. The soy wraps will need to be replaced when they wear out, but they can be composted. There are lots of beautiful ones on *Etsy. The silicone food wraps and glass containers should last a lifetime, perfect for a zero waste kitchen.

3. Switch to a wooden dish brush 

Plastic dish brushes are not only bad for the environment they are also bad for you. Plastic kitchen utensils are a breeding ground for bacteria buildup, especially if they’re not cleaned properly. They can leach harmful chemicals into your food, and they release microplastics down your sink. A better, and healthier, alternative is to switch to wooden kitchen utensils. There are lots available these days including wooden dish brushes (with replaceable heads), wooden spoons, wooden spatulas, and more.

The company ecoLiving is one of my favourites for eco-friendly kitchen accessories. I use their *wooden dish brush with replaceable head. I’ve been using it for years and can’t fault them. When the head comes to the end of its life I compost it in our garden.

4. Swap plastic dish cloth for eco-friendly alternative

Plastic dishcloths are a breeding ground for bacteria, not to mention bad for the environment. New research has shown that over 90% of commercial and home dishcloths harbour dangerous bacterias such as Ecoli and Staph. A healthier alternative is dishcloths made from natural materials. Look for 100% plastic free and home compostable options. Extra brownie points if they are certified to Oeko-Tex standard 100.

These are the *compostable sponges that I use. They work really well, and last much longer than the plastic counterparts as you can wash them, either in the dishwasher or with your laundry, and then reuse them.

5. Replace toxic cleaners with natural cleaners 

Switching to non-toxic cleaners has been a long journey for me. I’ve tried so many eco-friendly alternatives over the years. Some are awful, some are okay, and some are great. It’s been a long process of trial and error. I even used to make my own cleaners, which does work but you have to have the time to make them. You can find the recipes I used here: 2 Easy To Make All-Purpose Natural Zero Waste Cleaners.

I’ve finally settled on two main brands; Miniml and Faith in Nature, both of which are great! Miniml is slightly cheaper which is why I tend to gravitate more towards them. I buy in bulk *here on Amazon at the moment as it saves me a lot of money. If you’re interested I also took a deep dive into the best eco-friendly laundry detergents. Spoiler alert: I use Miniml. If you have a  local refill store near you then take your own containers there and refill them each time. I do this with our washing up liquid, shampoo and conditioner.

6. Ditch Single-Use Food Bags, Switch for Reusable Bags

I’ll admit single-use plastic food bags can be handy, but there are more sustainable options out there. My go-to favourite by far is *stasher bags. I was first introduced to them back in 2018 and I still use them all the time. You can read my full review of them here. They are really easy to use, and easy to clean. You can hand wash them or put them in the dishwasher. They can be used for storing any food items, and they also make great packed lunch bags. You can use them to cook food, store food, and freeze food. I’ve got a selection of sizes.

With the correct care they should last you forever, however if by some chance you manage to break one you can send it back to the company. They use the old worn out ones to make flooring for playgrounds.

7. Buy Loose Tea Instead of Tea Bags

You may not know this but the majority of tea bags contain plastic which means they shouldn’t be composted. Also, cheap tea bags contain tea dustings which are basically the bits of tea that end up on the floor in the factories that they sweep up and shove into tea bags. Gross right! Switching to loose leaf tea is a much healthier and sustainable option. The tea will also be of a far superior quality.

One of my favourite tea brands is *Yogi Tea, I have their Turmeric Chai every day. To make life easy for me my friend gave me a mini loose leaf teapot from Hoogly. You simply place a teaspoon of the tea in the filter and pour in your hot water. Perfect tea every time!  There are lots of alternative teapots on *Amazon too.

8. Start a Compost Bin for Food Scraps

By now most councils insist on food waste recycling as standard. However, you can take it one step further and create your own compost system in your garden, if you have room. You can still use the council food waste bin for meat and other food items that shouldn’t go in home compost. Just make sure you save your fruit and vegetable scraps for your garden one.

Here’s a quick checklist for what can, and can’t go in home compost bins.

Can:

• Fruit scraps
• Vegetable scraps
• (Non-plastic) tea bags
• Paper
• Egg boxes
• Cardboard
• Grass cuttings (no dog poo!)
• Weeds
• Garden cuttings
• Coffee grounds
• Crushed egg shells
• Pet fur

Can’t:

• Meat, cooked or uncooked
• Fish
• Bones
• Butter & oil
• Grease
• Glossy paper
• Nappies
• Dog or cat litter

 Related blog: A Guide to Composting and Gardening in a Small Space

9. Cloth Towels Instead of Paper Towels

Paper towels aren’t something I’ve ever used myself, but I know a lot of people do as they are very useful. The problem with them is they are single use. *Washable cloth towels are  more sustainable and cost-effective in the long run. You can either buy pre-made packs, or cut up old clothes, towels, or tea towels and make your own. What we do in our kitchen is wipe up any spills or mess with our eco-friendly dish cloths, and then dry it with a tea towel. Hence, we’ve never felt the need for finding a sustainable alternative.

If you really can’t give up the paper towels then consider switching to *recycled kitchen towels. Make sure there are no harmful chlorinated bleaches, dyes or optical brighteners used.

10. Switch to Stainless Steel or Bamboo Scrubbers

Replace synthetic dish sponges with stainless steel scrubbers or biodegradable bamboo alternatives. They last longer and don’t shed microplastics. There are lots of great sustainable alternatives out there now. I’d recommend LoofCo, they sell a range of *sustainable scrubbers. There is also a large selection of coconut and bamboo scrubbers on Etsy. *Safix is a brand I use regularly, and would highly recommend. They’ll make a perfect addition to your zero waste kitchen.

Adopting a Zero Waste Kitchen may seem like a daunting task, but with these simple swaps, you can gradually make a big difference. By choosing reusable, eco-friendly alternatives and being mindful of what we buy and discard, we can all contribute to a more sustainable future. Remember, every small change counts and can inspire others to do the same. Start with one or two swaps and build from there—your kitchen, your planet, and your wallet will thank you. Why not pick one thing from this list today, and make the switch. Let me know which item you choose, and how you get on in the comments below.