Single Use Swaps!
Do you remember rule #2 for green living? There’s always a replacement. And let us tell you, there is! Particularly for single-use items, things you use just once and then throw them away. Here are 6 single-use items you can replace in your kitchen to decrease waste and increase your green quotient.
Paper Towels. Sure, they’re made of paper – but single-use paper adds up – the water, the energy, the waste. Consider reusable tree-free plant towels like our Tough Sheet, made from bamboo. One sheet replaces a whole roll of regular paper towels!
Napkins. Again, single-use paper adds up! And you know what? Using reusable cloth napkins just feels nicer too. You can toss them in easily with your laundry whenever you do a load.
Straws. Sure single-use paper or hay straws are better than single-use plastic straws, but you know what’s even better than that? A reusable straw and glass or metal – we’re partial to glass because it has a cleaner taste and also feels a bit less like camping.
Plastic wrap. If you’re used to using plastic wrap, it might feel crazy to think about living without it. But it’s easier than you think. Reusable beeswax wrap is an amazing replacement and can wrap anything you might be wrapping with plastic – it even works when making things like pizza dough that need to be wrapped and refrigerated (just brush your dough liberally with olive oil before wrapping it). It’s washable and compostable!
Aluminum Foil and Parchment Paper too. Silicone baking mats are excellent for roasting and easily replace foil and parchment in most cases. They’re washable and long lasting too.
Teabags + Coffee Filters. Use loose leaves for tea and a reusable mesh infuser and pour over coffee with a reusable mesh filter – then compost your tea leaves and your coffee grounds.
Now, finish off your single-use supply and then stock up on the replacements!
Paper Towels. Sure, they’re made of paper – but single-use paper adds up – the water, the energy, the waste. Consider reusable tree-free plant towels like our Tough Sheet, made from bamboo. One sheet replaces a whole roll of regular paper towels!
Napkins. Again, single-use paper adds up! And you know what? Using reusable cloth napkins just feels nicer too. You can toss them in easily with your laundry whenever you do a load.
Straws. Sure single-use paper or hay straws are better than single-use plastic straws, but you know what’s even better than that? A reusable straw and glass or metal – we’re partial to glass because it has a cleaner taste and also feels a bit less like camping.
Plastic wrap. If you’re used to using plastic wrap, it might feel crazy to think about living without it. But it’s easier than you think. Reusable beeswax wrap is an amazing replacement and can wrap anything you might be wrapping with plastic – it even works when making things like pizza dough that need to be wrapped and refrigerated (just brush your dough liberally with olive oil before wrapping it). It’s washable and compostable!
Aluminum Foil and Parchment Paper too. Silicone baking mats are excellent for roasting and easily replace foil and parchment in most cases. They’re washable and long lasting too.
Teabags + Coffee Filters. Use loose leaves for tea and a reusable mesh infuser and pour over coffee with a reusable mesh filter – then compost your tea leaves and your coffee grounds.
Now, finish off your single-use supply and then stock up on the replacements!