The Top 6 Sources Of Waste In Your Kitchen & How To Avoid Them

While this might seem like an unavoidable part of life, it can actually be a huge opportunity to tackle your environmental footprint. To help you get started, I made a list of the six biggest culprits of waste in your kitchen and how to avoid them. Don't worry; it's a hell of a lot easier than you'd think:

The good news is, today, there are countless ways to cut plastic bags out of your kitchen routine. From silicone stasher bags to BPA-free reusable snack bags, the options are endless.

These babies might seem like a must-have in your kitchen, and trust me, I get it. They're awesome for cleaning up spills, wiping down counters, and they make a great napkin when someone spills all over that crisp white shirt you just picked up from the laundromat. But the truth is, a lot of resources go into making a roll of paper towels, which is hard to justify when we use them for just a few seconds. 

There are plenty of alternatives that can be tossed in your washing machine when dirty. From cloth towels that last a lifetime to Swedish dishcloths (which do the work of 17 rolls of paper towels), there's no shortage of options for cleaning up spills without filling up your trash.

Washing dishes can be a total pain, but so can taking out the trash all the time. What's worse? Most plastic utensils don't actually get recycled, so if you've been putting your plastic dinnerware into the recycling bin, though well-intentioned, it's not making much of a difference.

Simply eat your meal on a glass plate using metal utensils. Think of it as an extension of the mindfulness you already take in preparing your food. Eat with intention, and give your deliciously made food the stage it deserves.

Drink containers are probably the biggest culprit of waste in your trash and recycling bins. I'm talking glass jars, plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and milk cartons, among other things. And yes, much of it can be recycled, but unfortunately, recycling only delays the process of getting items to the landfill. Shifting your focus to reducing is much more important than recycling alone. 

Be mindful of the number of store-bought drinks you buy. And remember, making these drinks yourself can help you control the amount of sugar you're putting in.

If ordering takeout is a way you're supporting your local business right now, be sure to let them know you don't need plastic utensils, napkins, or extra condiments.

One-third of the food that's produced in the world gets thrown out, so it's a top contender for the trashiest item in your kitchen, and it's also a big cause of climate change. 

Of course, these are just a few of the top culprits of waste. But if you're ready to take a deeper dive into your environmental footprint, I've put together a list of the 40 places you create waste in your kitchen and an entire guide on how to shop with more intention, produce less waste, and reduce your environmental footprint.