Handy Tip: Use less dish soap

Washing dishes by hand? Most dish soap comes highly concentrated. 1-2 drops can wash an entire pan! Conserve the use of your dish soap, which will not only reduce waste but save you money!

Switch from virgin to recycled content facial tissue

Facial tissues made of 100% virgin fiber have a big impact. Many brands now offer facial tissue made from 100% recycled materials.

Switch from virgin to recycled content paper towels

Paper towels have a huge footprint when they are made from 100% virgin fiber. Look for labels that indicate the paper towels are made from recycled content.

Buy recycled content, compostable parchment paper

For any cooking 400oF and below, use parchment paper instead of aluminum to line your pans. Many brands are compostable after use. 

Use compostable wrap

Looking for a more sustainable option for disposable plastic wrap? Try switching to a compostable alternative.

Use compostable baggies

Looking for a more sustainable option for disposable plastic baggies? Try switching to a compostable alternative. Instead of throwing these in the trash, you can put them in your backyard or commercial composting.

Reduce red meat consumption

Reducing the amount of red meat we eat can save carbon emissions, reduce soil degradation, and improve biodiversity. Generally, chicken is the most sustainable meat option.

Eat your leftovers, or cook less food

While it may seem small, the majority of leftovers go to waste. Before cooking, either right-size your meal so no leftovers are created, or store and eat your leftovers instead of throwing them away or composting them.

Use more sustainably-packaged detergent

Look for dishwasher detergent, whether powder or pods, that has fewer chemicals and plastic-free packaging. Reduce waste without sacrificing performance.

Stop pre-rinsing

Most dishwashers are designed to remove food waste. Save yourself time, money, and water by not pre-rinsing your dishes.

Handy Tip: Run your dishwasher when it’s full

Most modern dishwashers aren’t phased by dried-on food. Wait to run your dishwasher until it’s full to optimize energy and water usage.

Use a dishwasher instead of handwashing

It may not seem like it, but using a dishwasher is oftentimes the more sustainable option compared to handwashing! Save time and water by running a fully-loaded dishwasher.

Use reusable wrap

Instead of relying on disposable plastic wrap, try out reusable alternatives.

Handy Tip: Compost your paper products

Parchment paper or paper towels that only have food waste can be thrown in your backyard or commercial compost to redirect from the landfill.

Use reusable paper towels and napkins

Cloth napkins or paper towels are a great way to reduce paper waste in the kitchen, especially if they are made from repurposed cloth (e.g., old clothes, sheets). These can be thrown into your regular laundry loads for easy washing.

Use a dish soap bar

We use bar soap to wash our hands, why not our dishes? These bars not only reduce plastic waste, but they often last 2-3x as long as a bottle of traditional dish soap.

Buy from bulk food stores

Food packaging can add a lot of volume to your kitchen trash can. Look for local bulk food stores or farmers markets where you can limit single-use packaging and still get fresh, healthy food!

Turn off the tap while washing dishes

Kitchen sinks use an average of 2 gallons per minute while running. If you need to handwash dishes, consider turning the tap off while washing, and only turning it on to rinse.

Use reusable containers

Reusable containers are great for storing leftovers, and for packing with you on the go. Just toss them in the dishwasher when you’re finished!

Use reusable baggies

Instead of relying on disposable baggies, try out reusable alternatives. These not only reduce waste, they can save you money over the long-term.

Do "Meatless Mondays"

According to UC Boulder, not eating meat one day per week can reduce your carbon emissions associated with food by 15%. It’s also a fun way to try new vegetarian recipes!

Use a more sustainable dish brush

Consider switching to a plastic-free or zero-waste dish brush once your current brush kicks the bucket. These brushes reduce the introduction of microplastics to our waterways and many are able to be composted at end of life.

Bring your own container for restaurant leftovers or food shopping

Going to a restaurant or to a grocery store? Consider bringing your own container with you. Reduce your waste, whether it’s taking home your leftovers, or packaging up your purchases from the meat counter.

Compost food waste

According to Feeding America, nearly 40% of all food in the US is wasted; redirect any of your own food waste to the compost where possible. In many cities, there’s no need to do it yourself; more and more places offer commercial composting for your convenience.

Become vegetarian or vegan

Becoming vegetarian or vegan is a big lifestyle change, but it is one of the most impactful ways an individual can help the environment. It greatly reduces the amount of land, water, and emissions associated with food production.

Eat seafood sustainably

Seafood is often produced in ways that are harmful to the long-term health of the species and their ecosystem. Use tools such as Seafood Watch to make sure you’re consuming from a responsible source.