7 Ways to Start Your Zero Waste Kitchen Journey
And so it begins: the journey toward zero waste. At first, it’s overwhelming. Once you start learning about the materials we’ve created and their impact on our world, it’s impossible not to notice the sheer amount of plastic and toxic chemicals surrounding us. This journey comes in phases. The panic and guilt—realizing how toxic everything is, how we’re harming ourselves and the planet. But as you dig deeper, you discover hope. There are brilliant minds already working on solutions, and a growing movement of people committed to living more sustainably. A tribe exists—one that cares about the health of our soil, the quality of our food, how we manage waste, and the future we’re creating for our children.
This realization is empowering: you don’t have to change the entire world, but you can take responsibility for your own home, your choices, and the impact you have.
We live in a monumental time.
Plastics have been around for less than 100 years, and their widespread use only began in the 1950s. Cell phones have been a part of our lives for about 20 years. Amazon’s doorstep deliveries are barely a decade old. While these advancements have brought convenience and progress, they’ve also disconnected us—from nature, from each other, and from the very roots of our existence.
We’re indoors, isolated, and distracted—eyes glued to screens, disconnected from the natural world. We’ve become disembodied, unable to feel our bodies, trapped behind screens and confined indoors, missing the chance to witness the majesty and perfection of nature. But when you recognize that your body is the physical vessel that allows you to experience the conscious life that God, or the universe, has intended for you, it becomes easier to treat your body with care and respect.
We’ve stepped away from the natural cycles of life, the miraculous transfer of energy: sunlight into grass, grass into cows, cows into humans, and humans into the structures and systems we build. This transfer is life’s essence, yet we’ve created materials and systems that disrupt it. This is why I am moving towards zero waste to honor nature and the creation of the Universe.
We can return to harmony.
Reconnecting with nature helps us recognize how extraordinary it is to live on this Earth. Respecting our bodies is inseparable from respecting the Earth. The choices we make—what we consume, what we bring into our homes, and how we live—are reflections of the respect we have for Earth.
Zero waste is not just an idea—it’s nature’s way.
Nature wastes nothing. Every element serves a purpose and transforms into something else. For us to live in alignment with this principle, we must minimize waste and avoid materials that pollute and persist.
By choosing regenerative and sustainable options, we nourish both ourselves and the planet.
A great place to start with moving towards zero waste is the kitchen. Simple, not so costly swaps has made it easier to watch our waste.
7 Practical steps towards a Zero Waste Kitchen:
Check your local recycling laws
Many items we think are recyclable are not. Learn what’s accepted in your area and follow those guidelines to ensure your efforts aren’t in vain. Just because oyu throw it in the recyclign bin, doesnt mean it can be rectycled. This is called wishcycling.
Opt for glass or cardboard over plastic in the store
Opt for the milk, peanut butters, juice etc in glass containers, sometimes refundable by the store. Go the bakery section and find breads without plastic wrapping and bring your own cotton bread wraps. Get the tomatoes in the cardboard bin instead of the ones wrapped in plastic. This is kind of a hassle, and not always available, but it’s good to start thinking about to reduce even a little of the plastic use from food.
Bring reusable bags for groceries and produce
Just keep them in your car. I bought some from NetZero I like!
Replace plastic household items
Transition to sustainable alternatives like stainless steel, bamboo, or silicone for Tupperware, utensils, baby bottles, and storage containers. Get rid of your plastic cups, plates, utensils, and opt for sustainable, long lasting options. Slowly over time is okay.
Avoid disposable plastic bags
Use beeswax wraps, silicone storage bags, or cloth alternatives instead of Ziplocs. Also kind of a hassle, just another thing to get used to.
Start a compost
You can fully compost at home, by adding your food scraps to a compost bin outdoors, or put it in your green bin and have the city take care of it for you. This helps keep the food scraps and pests out of the landfill. I like this one that works well with Simplehuman trash cans.
Make your own cleaning supplies
You can find many cleaning options in this book, or google some. Or you can buy your favorite non-toxic cleaning solution in a large container and use a glass amber bottle to store it. When in doubt, white vinegar works wonders on just about everything.
As you can see, even with these tips there will still be waste in the kitchen. Plastic is nearly impossible to escape in this society, so try not to feel so guilty, just make the better choice when its available to you.
Here are some of my favorite brands and items I have found so far to help me in non-toxic, zero waste kitchen journey. You will also be surprised to see how many options exisit at your farmers markets! Look out for canvas totes, beeswax wraps, and other sustainable options from local people. Also, I learned a lot from this book and the aesthetic is so good.
The Swag Bags
Net Zero Co
Package Free
Amber Glass Bottles
Aunt Frannie’s White Vinegar
Simplehuman compost caddy
Pyrex Glass Tupperware
Life factory baby bottles
Stainless Steel Baby Cups
Healthy Baby Diapers
Start where you are.
This isn’t about rushing to replace everything in your home overnight. It’s about understanding the principles and making thoughtful choices as you restock. Over time, these small, intentional changes add up.
Nature is perfect—it leaves no waste, only transformation. When we align ourselves with these natural rhythms, the problems of toxicity and waste begin to fade. The solutions are already out there. Brilliant minds are working toward sustainable products and systems, and the movement is growing.
Take it one step at a time. Embrace the process. With every choice, you’re contributing to a healthier future for yourself, your family, and the planet.