Whether at home or the office, the kitchen is usually the central hub of activity. It’s where food is prepared, stored, consumed and disposed of, and as a by-product, it’s also the central hub for unnecessary waste.
From takeaway packaging to food leftovers and single-use plastics, the amount of unnecessary waste in the kitchen can be immense. Fortunately, there are some simple and effective processes that individuals and businesses can implement to reduce their environmental footprint and maintain more sustainable actions in the kitchen.
Here are five insightful tips for reducing waste in your home and work kitchens:
- Choose a greener alternative to garbage bags
It’s widely known that plastic waste is one of the biggest threats to our oceans and wildlife. Plastic can take hundreds of years to decompose, and as it does, it releases harmful chemicals into the environment. Reduce plastic waste in your kitchen by switching to compostable bin liners. These bags are made from renewable materials like cornstarch and tapioca and will decompose harmlessly in a composting environment after use.
- Implement a compost caddy in the lunchroom
An easy way to reduce environmental impact is to reduce the amount of organic waste you send to landfills. Much of the rubbish accumulated in the kitchen, like food scraps, paper towels, coffee grounds and tea bags, can be composted instead of thrown away. Separate your organic waste by introducing a small bin or a composting caddy with a lid to collect food scraps and other green materials. Remember to empty it regularly into a larger compost bin or composting system.
Larger businesses, particularly those in the food service industry, should consider a more robust composting program to manage their volumes of kitchen waste responsibly. By tapping into the power of composting and segregating organic waste from general rubbish, businesses can create a circular economy and reduce their environmental footprint.
- Be selective with the products you buy
Many grocery items are packaged unnecessarily in single-use plastics. A sensible way to reduce the amount of plastic waste in your kitchen is to buy loose fruits and vegetables instead of pre-packaged ones or use a Compostable Produce Bag or paper bag to collect them instead of traditional plastic bags. Avoid biscuits, lollies and chocolates that come as little packets inside a larger packet (while convenient for kids’ lunches, it’s not so convenient for the earth) and single-use cutlery and cups. If it’s necessary to use disposable serving ware, consider biodegradable cutlery and plates made from renewable resources.
When ordering takeaway or delivery, choose outlets that use biodegradable retail bags. This indicates your preference for sustainability and supports those restaurants and food outlets that are making an effort to switch to eco-friendly products.
- Replace plastic food-prep gloves with plant-based alternatives
Hygiene in the kitchen is essential, particularly when preparing food. Disposable gloves are commonplace for many food outlet businesses; however, the consumption of single-use plastic gloves is huge in these industries. A better choice for the planet is to switch to biodegradable food preparation gloves. These gloves are made from plant starch instead of rubber latex or plastic. They break down naturally in the compost without leaving harmful residue behind. Biodegradable gloves can make a big difference to the quantities of single-use waste produced by fast food restaurants and takeaway outlets and are an alternative that doesn’t compromise hygiene standards.
- Educate on better kitchen habits
Teach people in the kitchen about what can and can’t be composted. Generally, most plant-based, organic materials can be composted, including fruit and vegetable peels, bread, pasta, rice, coffee grounds, tea bags, eggshells, paper towels, napkins and cardboard. You should avoid composting meat, dairy, bones, fats, oils, sauces, seeds and pet poop, as they can attract pests, cause odours and slow down the decomposition process.
Reducing unnecessary waste in the kitchen is a responsible step for businesses and individuals and is crucial for a more sustainable future. There are many practical solutions to help minimise kitchen waste, including compostable bags, compost caddies, and biodegradable food preparation gloves, all of which can be easily integrated into existing kitchen practices to enable healthier choices for the planet.
