How to Start a Zero Waste Kitchen: A Simple Guide

A few years ago, I started noticing just how much waste my kitchen was producing. Every time I took out the trash, it felt like I was contributing to a growing problem—plastic wrappers, food scraps, packaging, and single-use items piling up day after day. It wasn’t just the guilt that got to me. It was the realization that I could do better. I could make small changes that would not only reduce waste but also make my kitchen feel more intentional and aligned with the kind of life I wanted to live.

If you’ve been thinking about reducing waste in your kitchen but don’t know where to start, you’re not alone. The idea of a “zero waste kitchen” can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s not about being perfect or throwing out everything you own to start fresh. It’s about making small, thoughtful changes that add up over time. In this guide, I’ll share what I’ve learned about how to start a zero waste kitchen, step by step, in a way that’s practical, approachable, and (hopefully) inspiring.

Why a Zero Waste Kitchen Matters

Let’s be honest: the kitchen is one of the biggest sources of waste in most homes. Between food packaging, leftovers that go bad, and single-use items like paper towels and plastic wrap, it’s easy to see how quickly things add up. But here’s the thing, reducing waste in your kitchen isn’t just about helping the planet (though that’s a huge part of it). It’s also about simplifying your life, saving money, and feeling good about the choices you’re making.

For me, the shift to a zero waste kitchen wasn’t about being perfect. It was about progress. I wanted to feel more in control of what I was consuming and throwing away. I wanted to stop feeling like I was contributing to a problem I couldn’t fix. And I wanted to show myself (and my family) that small changes compounded over time, could make a big difference.

Getting Started: The Mindset Shift

Before we dive into the practical steps, let’s talk about mindset. If you’re anything like me, you might feel a little intimidated by the idea of “zero waste.” It sounds so absolute, doesn’t it? But here’s the truth: it’s not about being perfect. It’s about doing what you can, where you can, with what you have.

Here are a few principles that helped me get started:

1. Reduce: The less you bring into your home, the less waste you’ll have to deal with afterwards. Start by asking yourself, “Do I really need this?”.
2. Reuse: Look for ways to reuse what you already have. Glass jars, old containers, and even cloth scraps can have a second life.
3. Recycle: While recycling is important, it’s not the ultimate solution. Focus on reducing and reusing first. Recycling is the mainstream topic but Reduce and Reuseare more important in my opinion.
4. Refuse: Say no to things you don’t need, like plastic straws, unnecessary packaging, or freebies that will just end up in the trash.
5. Rot: Composting is a game-changer. It’s one of the easiest ways to reduce food waste and give back to the earth.

Practical Steps to a Zero Waste Kitchen

Now that we’ve covered the mindset, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Here are some practical steps to help you reduce waste in your kitchen:

1. Take Stock of Your Current Waste

Before you make any changes, spend a week paying attention to what you’re throwing away. Is it mostly food scraps? Plastic packaging? Single-use items? This step is important because it helps you figure out where to focus your efforts. For me, I realized that plastic packaging was my biggest culprit, so that’s where I started.

2. Swap Out Single-Use Plastics

Single-use plastics are one of the easiest things to tackle. Here are a few swaps that worked for me:

• Reusable Shopping Bags: Keep a stash of reusable bags in your car or by the door so you don’t forget them. These reusable grocery bags are my favorite because they heavy duty, stay in a stand up position and easy to fold and store away.
• Produce Bags: Instead of those flimsy plastic produce bags, use mesh or cloth bags. They’re washable and last forever. Earthwise reusable produce bags are an excellence choice and my top pick if you want to swap your plastic bags for reusable mesh ones.
• Beeswax Wraps: These are a great alternative to plastic wrap. They’re reusable, easy to clean, and work just as well. These Bee’s wraps have worked great for me and they are made in USA.
• Silicone Food Bags: Ditch plastic baggies and invest in reusable silicone bags. They’re perfect for storing leftovers or packing snacks. 23 bucks gets you 20 Pack of reusable, dishwasher safe, high quality silicon food bags on Amazon . This is a pretty good deal for something that will make your life more sustainable and organized.
• Reusable Water Bottles and Coffee Cups: These are no-brainers. They save money and reduce waste. Check out my favorite water bottle here. This water bottle is just well made and you have different size and color options. Most impotantly it does not leak and keeps water cold up to 24hrs unlike most water bottles i purchased in the past.

3. Buy in Bulk (When You Can)

If you have access to a bulk store, take advantage of it. Bring your own containers and stock up on pantry staples like rice, beans, nuts, and spices. Not only does this reduce packaging waste, but it’s often cheaper, too. If bulk stores aren’t an option, look for products with minimal or recyclable packaging.

4. Reduce Food Waste

Food waste was a big issue in my kitchen, and tackling it made a huge difference. Here’s what helped:

• Meal Planning: Planning meals for the week helped me buy only what I needed and avoid overbuying. FoodPrint was a great resource at the time. It offers practical tips and creative ideas for zero waste cooking, including how to use every part of your ingredients and reduce food waste.
• Proper Storage: Learning how to store fruits, vegetables, and leftovers properly to make them last longer. Learn more by reading the detailed guide we wrote about how to properly store food to last longer.
• Get Creative with Leftovers: Instead of tossing leftovers, I started turning them into new meals. For example, roasted veggies became soup, and stale bread became croutons. You also use food leftover to help people in need. Feeding America explains the impact of food waste and how food rescue programs can help reduce waste while addressing hunger.
• Composting: Starting a compost bin was one of the best decisions I made. It’s easy, and it feels good to know that my food scraps are going back into the soil instead of a landfill. Check our guide on how to compost at home without smell.

*I will share more regarding these above topics on future How-To articles. Subscribe our newsletter if you want to be notified when a new article is published.

This page from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides valuable insights into reducing food waste, composting, and sustainable food practices.

5. Make Your Own Cleaning Products

This one surprised me. I didn’t realize how much waste came from cleaning products until I started looking for alternatives. Now, I make my own all-purpose cleaner with vinegar, water, and a few drops of essential oil. It’s cheap, effective, and doesn’t come in a plastic bottle.

6. Choose Sustainable Kitchen Tools

When it’s time to replace something in your kitchen, opt for sustainable materials like wood, bamboo, or stainless steel. For example, I swapped out my plastic cutting boards for bamboo ones and replaced my old plastic spatulas with stainless steel and silicone versions. I picked this Bamboo Wood Cutting Board Set after some time researching different options and I am very happy with my choice. They also give you 1 year money-back warranty which shows that they do believe on their product quality

The Benefits of a Zero Waste Kitchen

As I’ve made these changes, I’ve noticed some unexpected benefits. My kitchen feels less cluttered, my grocery bills have gone down, and I feel more connected to the food I’m eating. There’s also a sense of pride that comes with knowing I’m doing my part, however small, to reduce waste and live more sustainably.

Final Thoughts: Progress, Not Perfection

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that starting a zero waste kitchen is a journey, not a destination. It’s not about being perfect or doing everything at once. It’s about making small, thoughtful changes that add up over time. Some days, I still forget my reusable bags or end up with more food waste than I’d like. And that’s okay. What matters is that I’m trying, and that you’re trying too.

So, if you’re ready to start your own zero waste kitchen journey, take it one step at a time. Start with what feels manageable, and don’t be too hard on yourself. Every little bit helps, and together, those small changes can make a big difference.

Share with us how your zero-waste kitchen journey is going, by leaving a comment below. We would love learn with each other’s experiences.