Top 10 Eco-Friendly Kitchen Products

Happy Earth Day, friends!  To help celebrate, I have rounded up my top ten eco-friendly kitchen products for you.  Nowadays, it is easier than ever to purchase products that are better for the environment.  But, with so many products out there, it can be overwhelming to sift through all of it!  I hope this top ten list is helpful to you when you are ready to start making some easy eco-friendly switches.  

If you have ever wondered what more you can do for the environment beyond recycling, this article is a great place to start!  These are my absolute favorite environmentally-friendly products that I use in the kitchen.  With so many amazing reusable and eco-friendly products out there it is easier than ever to do your part for Mother Earth!

It is something my kids are now paying attention to and ask lots of questions about.  I definitely want to lead by example for them.  For me, I remember back in elementary school I was all about saving the earth.  I don't know why I was so focused on it but I really connected with the idea that we need to do something to take care of our planet and make our world a better place.  It became part of my identity in a way.  I proudly sported a Looney Tunes shirt that said "Save the World or That's All Folks!" and I wore huge dangly globe earrings.  Oh, yea.  I was super cool.  I also refused to dissect animals in fifth grade so instead of dissecting a frog my teacher had me research the human body in the library with encyclopedias.  It is funny for me to look back at these random memories and realize that even at a young age I was passionate about something.  

Now, I am by no means perfect.  Life is fast and busy with three young kids.  But, I try and do my part with my purchases to be a conscious consumer and select products that are not only healthier for us but also healthier for the planet.  Thankfully, they usually go hand-in-hand!

Top 10 Eco-Friendly Kitchen Products

Over the past couple of years I have fallen in love with these ten environmentally-friendly products and I'm so excited to share them with you today.  I included links to the exact products I own and love (with coupon codes if applicable).  

If you have any questions about any of these products please shoot me a message and I would love to help you out.  Or, comment below and I can respond back to you in the comments so everyone can benefit from the response.  

#1 Branch Basics Home Cleaning Products

(Get 10% off – USE CODE: Elaine10)

Branch Basics Starter Kit 

I cannot say enough about this amazing brand and I'm so grateful to have learned about them.  I have been using Branch Basics exclusively for over a year now to clean our entire home (including laundry and our hands!).  Not only is the actual solution environmentally friendly and biodegradable but it is also non-toxic and safe for babies and animals.  I feel extra good about cleaning my floors with little kids running around.  It is hypoallergenic, non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan and doesn't contain synthetic preservatives, synthetic fragrances, SLS, parabens or phthalates.  Additionally, they don't test their products on animals.  

The way it works is you purchase a starter kit that comes with empty labeled bottles (one for bathroom, one for glass, one for laundry, one for hand soap, one for all-purpose, etc.).  Then, you get a huge bottle of the concentrate which is used to create all the different cleaning bottles.  You simply mix water with the concentrate directly in the empty bottle to create your cleaner (all measurements are on the bottle).  One bottle of concentrate lasts our family of five half a year.  No joke!  It is SUCH a good deal.  And you aren't wasting the bottles since you reuse them every time.  All you have to purchase moving forward is more concentrate (about every 6 months).  I didn't realize with my old cleaning products I was essentially spending my money on the spray bottles and water!  

I absolutely love the fact that Branch Basics is all-natural and has absolutely no odor/smell at all.  I'm super sensitive to smells with my migraines so this product line has been a huge blessing all around for me.  And, best of all, these cleaners actually work!  The glass cleaner is perfectly streak-free.  The laundry detergent and oxygen boost get our laundry totally clean and smelling so good (despite the fact that it doesn't contain any fragrances).  I really cannot recommend this brand enough.  It does it all: hardwoods, carpets, stains, countertops, toilets, etc. (and is actually effective).  

Don't forget to use my discount code: Elaine10 at checkout to get 10% off your order every time!

#2 Reusable Straws by Hummingbird

If you are looking to reduce your plastic consumption, these glass straws are the perfect place to start.  I use them daily for my morning smoothies.  I love that they are clear so I can see if they need to be cleaned.  I like that the diameter of the straw is large enough for a thick frosty smoothie to easily get through it.  I also love the way it feels on my lips...hard to explain... but I always drink more water when I drink it through these straws.  You just have to try it out!  I have been using this brand for years now and I highly recommend.

For my kids, I love using these non-breakable reusable straws for smoothies (also dishwasher safe).

On-the-go I love these reusable bamboo straws.

#3 Silicone Baking Cups

Seems trivial, I know.  But I do a ton of baking over here.  I make muffins once or twice a week for our family and cupcakes for every occasion practically.  Instead of paper cup liners I switched to these silicone reusable baking cups and I'm never going back!  I LOVE the result.  Somehow my muffins and cupcakes come out better in them.  Really!  And they easily slide out of the baking cups when I invert them.  Like butter!  I throw the baking cups in the top rack of my dishwasher and they come out totally clean.  This is a small investment but a good one!

#4 Reusable Storage Bags

When it comes to food storage, I have been making the shift away from single use plastic bags.  In doing so I have fallen in love with silicone Stasher bags.  I love this three pack because it offers different sizes and the bags store flat which saves a ton of space.  They can go in the microwave, oven, freezer or fridge and are completely leak free.  Once I use them I either hand wash or toss in the dishwasher.  My favorite model is their new "stand up" bags - definitely check those out.  Right now they are having a 25% off Earth Day sale (through 4/23/20).

TIP: You can write on the outside of the bags with dry erase markers so I label the date and what is inside if it is difficult to tell.

Here are some other reusable silicone bags I also own and love (different price points to consider):

Reusable food container silicone storage bag 6 piece set

Reusable silicone leak-proof silicone storage bag 2 piece set (great for snacks on-the-go)

#5 Reusable Paper Towels

No more running out of paper towels with these reusable paper towels!  Using these helps make your home less wasteful and more sustainable.  They are very well made and actually get more absorbent each time you wash them.  

#6 Non-Toxic Cookware

You all know how much I love non-toxic cookware. But recently I wasn't happy with how my current non-toxic, non-stick pans were holding up. The ceramic coating was wearing and food was sticking - they somehow lost their non-stick magic. No good.

That's why I'm so happy I discovered this new 100% ceramic cookware company: Xtrema. I own their 10-inch Versa skillet with lid.  It is free of all toxic elements through and through - meaning it is more than just ceramic coated, it is entirely ceramic (which also allows for consistent even heating). I learned that when pans are simply coated in ceramic they may contain synthetic bonding materials and chemicals like PFOAs. This especially concerns me as my old cookware is starting to chip and get cracks in it.

So far I have been very happy with my Xtrema skillet. Their products are dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator and oven safe. They offer skillets in different sizes, saucepans, stock pots/Dutch ovens, woks, bakeware, bowls, teapots, accessories and more. They also offer a variety of colors. I love the look of this skillet too... I think it looks pretty enough to serve your meal on the table right out of the skillet to save another dish.

In addition to being better for you, Xtrema cookware is also better for the environment. While metal mining, refining and manufacturing pollutes the air and wreaks havoc on the environment, Xtrema is crafted from renewable raw materials using earth-friendly manufacturing methods.

You can use code "EatbyE10" for 10% off your total purchase.  

#7 Silicone Stretch Lids

These silicone stretch lids replace the need for plastic wrap. I love to use the tiny size on half-used canned goods.  And the larger sizes are great for serving bowls if you are transporting food to a party.  I also love to use the largest size if I cut into half a melon and then want to preserve the other half.  They are reusable, durable, expandable and keep food fresh.  They are dishwasher and microwave safe too!

Also, these reusable beeswax food wraps are new for me and I have been liking them so far!  I use them to cover bowls of leftover food and produce that is half used.  They can be easily washed and reused and last up to a year.  

#8 Reusable Organic Cotton Muslin Grocery Shopping Produce Bags

These Reusable Organic Cotton Muslin Grocery Shopping Produce Bags replace the need for plastic produce bags.  I also use these when I shop in the bulk foods section.  They are natural, sustainable, organic and biodegradable.  They come in a set of six with two small, two medium and two large bags.  They are washable and have a drawstring for convenience.  The fabric is breathable and keeps produce fresher for longer than plastic bags.  Total win-win!  

#9 Glass Storage Containers for Bulk Food and More

When possible, I try to buy from the bulk section of the grocery store.  This not only saves money but reduces the waste of plastic containers.  I store my nuts, seeds, grains and homemade products in glass jars in my pantry, refrigerator and freezer.  Here are some of my favorites:

Stackable Glass Food Storage Containers, Set of 3 - these are great for storing legumes, nuts and seeds

Glass wide-mouth jars, 8 ounce (set of 12)

Ball Mason Jar Wide Mouth Clear Glass, 16-Ounces (set of 4)

Tulip Jars, 12.5 ounces (set of 6) - great for homemade chia jam, overnight oats and chia seed pudding

Weck Glass Jars, 0.5 Liter, set of 6 - great for storing legumes, nuts, sees, grains etc. from the bulk food section.  Also great for homemade chia jam, overnight oats and chia seed pudding

#10 Reusable Sponges

These reusable sponges are eco-friendly.  After use, simply throw them in the washing machine or on the top shelf of your dishwasher and they will be clean and ready for your next use!  I love this brand too!

More eco-friendly products that I love:

Silpat Premium Non-Stick Silicone Baking Mat, Half Sheet Size (I use for baking and roasting)

Organic Cotton Reusable Face Mask For Kids/Adults (use code ELAINE for 15% off!)

Non-Toxic Bug Repellent (organic and DEET-free) - use code ELAINE for 10% off your entire purchase for anything on their website

Non-Toxic Hand Sanitizer  (use code ELAINE for 10% off)

Favorite water bottle (I also love this one which comes in a couple different sizes and colors)

We used cloth diapers for two of our kids and had a super positive experience.  This was the brand of cloth diapers we used and loved.  Please let me know if you have any questions!

We made our own baby food and these were our favorite reusable food pouches.  

Now more than ever I have been making homemade milk with my pantry staples (nuts, seeds, coconut flakes, oats). I've been playing around with different combinations and it has been great since buying store-bought milk is not as easy these days.  With Almond Cow, it is a thousand times easier. Simply add water and your favorite nut or seed (or use oats or coconut!). Press one button and within a minute you have the most perfect creamy homemade plant-based milk. It is seriously so smooth and delicious. No straining, no mess! The measurement line for water and nuts or seeds is in the jar so you don't even have to think. Super quick, so fresh and so convenient! It is also easy to clean and I always save the pulp.  Use code ELAINE for $15 off anytime.

Wide Mouth Glass Mason Drinking Jars Set - These are perfect for smoothies on-the-go!  Also great to bring to your local coffee shop instead of using their plastic cups!)

So there you have it!  My favorite eco-friendly products to help celebrate Earth Day!  If you have any questions at all please comment below or send me a message.