Eco friendly kitchen accessories, you can feel good about using in your kitchen
A nontoxic and sustainable home starts in the kitchen. Functional, eco friendly kitchen accessories are essential to keeping your space stylish, organized and wellness-friendly ;)
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Types of Eco-Friendly Kitchen Accessories
Whether you're storing leftovers, preparing meals, or organizing your pantry, making sustainable choices it's easier than you think. Let’s talk about how health and eco friendly products can transform your home and the planet.
...Tabletop, Dinnerware + Bakeware
Sustainable materials like porcelain, ceramic, and glass are great eco friendly choices for dinnerware and bakeware. They’re durable, non-toxic, and biodegradable because they’re made from natural materials that are safe and don’t release harmful chemicals, like lead or cadmium, into your food.
This is because they’re made at super high temperatures, which makes them strong and safe to use, even with hot foods or liquids.
If you had the chance to read our article on nontoxic materials for bakeware, you know that ceramic and porcelain are our favorites. For example, ceramic plates and serveware are excellent alternatives to plastic or melamine options.
Plus ceramic bakeware is a healthier, non-toxic option compared to the classic nonstick pans, that can leach nasty chemicals into your food when heated up at high temperatures.
...Cutting Boards + Serving Trays
Want a simple way to make your kitchen look amazing while staying eco-friendly with your choices? Go for wood (we love oak!) or marble cutting boards and serving trays.
Oak is super sturdy and gives your kitchen a warm, timeless vibe. Marble, on the other hand, isn’t just gorgeous—it’s naturally antibacterial and perfect for food prep or serving snacks.
Swapping out plastic for these materials is an easy win for both style and sustainability.
Did you know? If you place your marble cutting board in the refrigerator prior to serving, the surface will remain cold and fresh throughout the meal!
...Glassware, Drinkware + Canisters
We love safe and stylish ways to store and serve food and drinks! And glass is a fantastic option for this!
Glass jars, canisters, and drinkware are free from harmful chemicals like BPA, making them super safe for your family. They’re easy to clean and don’t absorb odors or stains. Plus, glass accessories look great in any kitchen, and you can use them over and over again.
For drinkware, look for borosilicate glass. It’s extra sturdy and resistant to temperature changes, which means it’s perfect for everything from iced tea to hot coffee.
For canisters, opt for ceramic, cork or glass jars, with an airtight strip for items that need to be airtight. Food storage canisters should be functional and look good, too (so they can double as decor!)
Did you know? Glass is infinitely recyclable without losing quality? That means when you’re finally done using it (if ever!), it can be recycled and turned into new glass products again and again.
What's the Problem with Plastic Cutting Boards?
They might be a cheaper and more accessible option, but surely not the best for your health or the environment.
Here are some pros and cons on plastic cutting boards:
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Tiny Plastic Pieces: Knives can leave cuts on plastic boards, and small bits of plastic can end up in your food.
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Bacteria Build-Up: Those cuts can trap food and water, making it easy for bacteria to grow. Plastic doesn’t fight bacteria naturally like wood does.
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Chemicals: Some plastic boards can release harmful chemicals, like BPA, especially if they’re old or used with hot or acidic foods.
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Bad for the Planet: Plastic isn’t biodegradable and takes forever to break down, plus it’s hard to recycle.
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Sometimes Plastic Cutting Boards are Necessary: When it comes to prepping meat and fish, plastic is less porous than wood and is less likely to absorb meat juices and bacteria. This is why we keep a separate plastic cutting boards around for meat prep.
You can't go wrong with wooden cutting wooden cutting boards—they’re safe, fight bacteria naturally, and are kinder to the planet!
What Are Some of the Most Common Materials You Would Find in an Eco-Friendly Kitchen?
When choosing eco friendly kitchen products, you need to understand what you're buying and why the material you choose could be a potential threat for your health. Here are our favorite safe options for kitchen storage & organization accessories.
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Cork and Wood: Lightweight, durable, and biodegradable, cork and wood are ideal for food storage
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Stainless Steel: Highly durable and recyclable—for commercial kitchens, it can take a beating
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Glass: Non-toxic, reusable, recyclable and easy to clean, glass works well for storage containers, canisters and jars, as well as drinking glasses.
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Silicone: Food-grade silicone is an excellent alternative to single-use plastics for lids, baking mats, and storage bags.
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Ceramic: An all around winner for kitchen accessories, like serving platters, dishware, canisters and drinkware.
What are the most eco friendly and sustainable food storage containers made of?
We talked about this in a previous article, but when it comes to non toxic and organic food storage containers, these materials are our favorite:
- Glass: Ideal for airtight storage, glass containers are microwave-safe, free from harmful chemicals, and infinitely recyclable.
- Stainless Steel: Lightweight and durable, stainless steel containers keep food fresh without exposing it to toxins.
- Silicone: Flexible and reusable, silicone bags and lids are perfect for reducing plastic waste.
- Bamboo Lids: Often paired with glass containers, bamboo lids add a natural touch while being fully biodegradable.
Choosing these materials ensures that your food remains safe while supporting a zero-waste lifestyle.
What are eco friendly kitchen accessories and how do they compare to other kitchen products?
Eco friendly kitchen accessories are designed with sustainability in mind.
Unlike conventional kitchen products, which often rely on single-use plastics or non-biodegradable materials, these alternatives are made with:
- High Durability: Made to last, reducing waste over time.
- Non-Toxic Materials: Free from harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates.
- Sustainable Sourcing: Produced using renewable or recycled materials.
- Low Environmental Impact: Designed to be biodegradable or recyclable.
By investing in sustainable kitchen products, and eco friendly food storage containers, you’re choosing items that align with both your health and the planet’s well-being.
What are the health & environmental benefits of using sustainable and organic kitchen accessories?
Switching to organic kitchen products and sustainable accessories has many advantages, not only for the environment, but for your health too:
Health Benefits
- Non Toxic Materials: Choosing organic and natural materials for your utensils reduce exposure to harmful chemicals, like VOCs (volatile organic compounds), that plastics and low-quality materials can release when exposed to heat.
- Better Food Preservation: Natural materials like glass and stainless steel help maintain food’s freshness without leaching chemicals.
Environmental Benefits
- Reduced Waste: Reusable items minimize landfill contributions.
- Lower Carbon Footprint: Sustainable materials often require less energy to produce.
- Biodegradability: Organic materials decompose naturally, reducing long-term environmental impact.
Tips for Choosing Environmentally Friendly Kitchen Products for Your Home:
I know, there are countless options out there when it comes to kitchen accessories and tools, but the truth is that choosing the right sustainable kitchen accessories doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Here are some tips to make eco-conscious choices:
- Check the Materials: Opt for items made from bamboo, glass, stainless steel, or food-grade silicone.
- Research Brands: Support companies committed to ethical production practices and sustainable sourcing, where the label and origin of material is clearly stated.
- Minimize Plastic: Replace single-use plastics with biodegradable or reusable alternatives.
- Start Small: Transition to an eco-friendly kitchen by replacing items gradually, starting with high-impact products like food storage containers.
FAQs about Healthy Kitchen Accessories:
What makes natural kitchen accessories eco-friendly?
Eco friendly kitchen accessories are made from sustainable materials like bamboo, stainless steel, glass, or organic cotton. They are designed to minimize waste, reduce environmental impact, and avoid harmful chemicals to leach into your food.
Are eco-friendly food storage containers safe for the microwave?
Most glass containers are microwave-safe, but always check the manufacturer’s guidelines. Silicone lids and stainless steel containers however, shouldn’t be used in the microwave because silicone can break down with high heat and might release chemicals, and stainless steel can cause sparks and damage the microwave.
How do I maintain bamboo kitchen accessories?
Bamboo and wood are particularly delicate to clean and should not be washed in the dishwasher, as they could soak up the soap or product used in the cleaning cycle. Clean them with warm soapy water and dry them immediately. Avoid soaking them in water to prevent warping and cracking.
Why should I replace plastic kitchenware with sustainable options?
Plastic kitchenware can leach harmful chemicals into your food, especially when heated. Sustainable options are safer, more durable, and better for the environment.
Where can I buy eco-friendly kitchen accessories?
At Healthier Homes, all our collections are sustainable and nontoxic, sources with your health and wellbeing in mind. From dinnerware to storage containers, we have everything you need to make your kitchen - and home - the healthiest ever!
A Greener Kitchen Starts with the Right Accessories
Eco-friendly kitchen accessories and safe storage solutions are a smart choice for you and the planet. With options like sustainable dinnerware and reusable alternatives, creating an eco-conscious kitchen is easier than ever.
Start small, stay consistent, and enjoy the benefits of a greener, healthier home.