This post could be oh so very long. Therefore, I am going to pick a few products to discuss now, then discuss more at a later date.

When you think of eco-friendly kitchen products, you probably first think of straws, right? Great! That’s a good one. But what about others? I’m talking cooking utensils, cookware sets, food containers, water bottles, baggies, etc. There are so many options.

Here are a few of my favorites (all linked):

Straws: let’s just get this one out of the way right now. Many have jumped on the reusable straw train, and that’s great – even some corporations. For example, Starbucks only gives straws to those who ask, and their straws are now made of more environmentally friendly materials. And Starbucks hands out A LOT of drinks. I know, because, well, common sense AND I used to work there. Have you seen the viral video of the turtle with a straw stuck in it’s nose? It’s horrifying. Now only if we could get people to feel those feelings towards fishing nets – which are the real issue in the seas – but I digress. Back to straws. There are several different types of reusable straws, but the main ones are silicone, steel, and bamboo. I personally prefer steel. I find them easier to clean, and they also give more of a “normal” straw feel. You can find my favorites here: Klean Kanteen Recycled Steel Straws.

Utensils: this covers knives, spoons, forks, ladles, spatulas, slotted spoons, etc. Buy items made from ethically sourced bamboo! Bamboo is a very “green” material for several reasons. It grows quickly and requires less energy consumption making it a great option. Plus, I think the natural wood looks good in just about any kitchen. A great place to buy them from: Totally Bamboo.

Cookware Sets: fun fact – did you know that non-stick pans release toxic fumes when heated to high temperatures? Yep. Gross. The best way to avoid this is to purchase cookware sets that are sustainably made and eco-friendly. Disclaimer: they tend to be more expensive, but so are medical bills. If you take care of them correctly and buy good quality, they should last you a long time. Some of my favorites are GreenPan and Caraway.

Food Storage Containers: Personally, I prefer glass containers with bamboo lids, such as these from Urban Green. Anything plastic makes me worry. Another good option is steel, such as the LunchBots bento box. These container styles can range from lunch boxes, pantry storage, jars, etc. They make your pantry look more aesthetically pleasing as well.

Reusable Bottles: I have purchased my fair share of reusable bottles. I have a really bad habit of dropping them, and if they are glass, they obviously break. So, after many trials, my favorite comes down to this: the Hydro Flask. For starters, they are metal, so when I drop them, they don’t break into a million pieces. I have indeed dented one, but it still works just fine. I really put my Hydro Flask to the test a few years ago, and I can attest to the fact that they do indeed stay cold for a long time. I went to Costa Rica, spent hours on the beach in the blazing sun, and my water stayed cold the entire day while everyone else was drinking water the temperature of a warm bath. I once forgot mine at my sister’s house, went back the next day to get it, and there was still ice inside. Believe me, they are worth the money and the hype.

Storage Bags: I have tried a few different storage bag brands, and so far, my favorite is Stasher. The top is easy to seal, and they come in a variety of sizes. Now, one downfall to reusable storage bags – they are a pain to clean. I’ll admit it. But for me, they are worth it. Not only am I lowering my contribution to single-use plastic, but I am also more comfortable about how my food is being stored – not having chemicals leach into them from the plastic bags for me to ingest later. My best advice is to hand-wash and turn inside out.

Overall, there are so many eco-friendly products you can buy that will heavily reduce your environmental footprint. This list just touches the surface. Also, please keep in mind that I only recommend products that I have tried. The only exception to this is the Caraway cookware – that is currently out of my budget, which is why I opted for GreenPan. However, I did do my research on it, and I have heard great things.

Have a product you’d like me to test? Let me know!