Eco-Friendly Kitchen Products for a Happy and Sustainable 2023

Best Cookware

Caraway Cookware Set

View On Amazon View On Carawayhome.com View On Bloomingdales

Caraway offers a complete non-stick cookware set that uses a special ceramic coating instead of traditional non-stick materials that can release certain unwanted chemicals, including PFOA, when heated to high temperature. The pans themselves are aluminum with stainless-steel handles, are oven-safe up to 550 degrees, and can be used on a variety of cooktops. The Spruce Eats testing Lab found the pans’ even heating and lack of hot spots provided an adequate surface when searing chicken or frying eggs.

Honestly, we struggled to find anything we didn't like about this set (it got a perfect score in our tests); the only thing we noted was that the handles tend to get hot when used on the stove for a long time. Remedy this issue by having a thick dish towel or potholder on standby when you're ready to move your pans. 

The complete set is a great deal considering how many pieces are included: a 10.5-inch frying pan, 3-quart saucepan, 4.5-quart saucepan, and 6.5-quart Dutch oven, plus a handy lid storage organizer. If fewer pieces are needed or you want to try one pan before committing to the entire set, Caraway’s cookware can now be purchased individually.

Price at time of publish: $545

Material: Aluminum with ceramic coating | Oven Safe: Up to 550 degrees | Induction Ready: Yes | Labels: Free of PTFE (such as Teflon), free of heavy metals, free of PFOA, free of other PFAs

Best Dish Soap

Blueland Dish Soap Starter Kit

View On Blueland.com

Blueland was founded on the belief that people shouldn’t have to sacrifice a clean home for a clean planet. All of the brand’s household products come packaged in reusable bottles and are made from naturally derived ingredients with zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs), parabens, phosphates, ammonia, chlorine bleach, or phthalates. It is EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Safer Choice, Cradle to Cradle Certified, Leaping Bunny compliant (not tested on animals), vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free.

The reusable shaker that comes with the initial starter pouch of powdered dish soap has a sleek, minimalist look, and the soap itself rapidly transitions into a familiar liquid consistency when mixed with water. The full list of ingredients is clearly stated along with additional clarification as to whether a specific agent is synthetic or not, which can be helpful for those with sensitivities to certain fragrances or ingredients (the soap that comes with this kit is fragrance-free, though). The company material safety data sheets are also accessible online, offering a rare and high-level of transparency compared to other brands.

"Swapping my usual plastic bottle of dish soap from the store for this reusable shaker and powder combo was a small change that continues to make me feel good about caring for the environment," says editor Taylor Rock. "Equally as important is that it works well, too."

Price at time of publish: $20

Shaker Material: Silicone | Volume: 16 ounces | What’s Included: 1 Forever Shaker and 16 ounces of fragrance-free powder dish soap | Labels: Made without parabens, phosphates, ammonia, VOCs, chlorine bleach, or phthalates; vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, and soy-free; EPA Safer Choice, Cradle to Cradle Certified, Leaping Bunny

Best Surface Cleaner

Lemi Shine Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner

View On Amazon View On Kroger.com View On Lemishine.com

This all-purpose cleaner is an ideal choice for the kitchen since the company attests it kills 99.9 percent of all bacteria sans bleach. Instead, it uses “natural” cleansing agents in combination with citric acid to achieve an antimicrobial, anti-fungal, and antibacterial effect against germs, grime, and hard water buildup.

Also thanks to the citric acid, the product has a lemony scent. Use this spray formula to clean the toughest grime, remove stubborn stains and odors, and even neutralize common household allergens. It can be used on the vast majority of hard, non-porous surfaces in the kitchen, such as countertops, fixtures, floors, and tables.

Price at time of publish: $6.69

Active Ingredient: Citric acid | Volume: 28 ounces | Bottles Included: 3 | Labels: Bleach-free, dye-free, paraben-free, phenol-free, alcohol-free, gluten-free, phosphate-free, free of glycol solvents, free of chlorine of formaldehyde, free of formaldehyde, free of dyes and perfumes, free of glycol solvents, rinse-free formula

Best Reusable Snack Bag

Stasher Reusable Silicone Food Storage Sandwich Bag

View On Amazon View On Target

Stasher bags are made from 100 percent platinum silicone, which basically means this product has a tendency to not show any noticeable signs of wear and tear for quite some time. Each bag measures 7.5 x 7 x 1 inches and holds up to 15 fluid ounces. They are safe to use in the microwave, dishwasher, and freezer. 

The durability of these bags is what makes them stand out from the competition. They can weather temperatures up to 425 degrees in the oven or boiling water, making them great for sous vide cooking. Of course, they're also great for storing and keeping your food fresh, especially fresh greens and chopped veggies. They come in handy for traveling, too, such as for storing travel-size toiletries due to the shape and size making them easy to slip into a variety of purses, messenger bags, and other commuter accessories. 

The pinch and lock seal requires a “burp” to get the air out and a pinch across the top to close them shut. To make them even more of a draw, there are 25 different color varieties, so you can choose your favorite shade. One Stasher sandwich bag is estimated to replace 260 plastic bags per year.

Taylor Rock, editor for the Spruce Eats, adores her Stasher bags. "I use these to prep veggies for the week and throw them in the dishwasher when they need to be cleaned. The seal is super tight, too. Bye, single-use plastic baggies."

Price at time of publish: $13

Material: Platinum silicone | Capacity: 15 ounces | Number Included: 1 (though sets are available, too) | Labels: No BPA, BPS, lead, latex, or phthalates

Best Reusable Lids

W&P Reusable Stretch Lids

View On Wandp.com

Let's be honest, storage lids are a pain. They're easy to lose, may warp in the dishwasher, crack, or are only good for a few uses before you toss them out. W&P has a lovely, and eco-friendly, solution: reusable stretch lids.

This set comes with six stretchy circular lids that cling tight to whatever container they're on. The textured grip ensures that the silicone lids won't slip off, and since they're clear, you can see through to the leftovers inside. W&P includes a variety of sizes, from 2.5 up to 8 inches. Didn't finish your soda? Snap a leakproof lid on and put it back in the fridge. Want to preserve extra tomato soup? The 8-inch option is great for covering larger bowls or pots.

Our editor Taylor Rock swears by these reusable lids. "The pull tabs make it super easy to pull both on and off. Plus, it clings so tight you can even use it to stack other items on top without it sagging in the middle, which is not necessarily something you can say about plastic wrap or foil." She also loves that these lids are microwave-, dishwasher-, and freezer-safe.

Price at time of publish: $20

Includes: Six reusable stretch lids (sizes include: 2.5, 3.8, 4.5, 5.7, 6.5 and 8 inches)

Best Food Huggers

Food Huggers Fruit and Veggie Huggers

View On Amazon View On Food52 View On Thrive Market

Plastic wrap can be a convenient kitchen tool, but it really adds up when you’re using it every time you need to store half of an avocado, lime, or apple. That’s where Food Huggers come in. These reusable food savers, sold in a set of five (ranging from extra-small to extra-large), keep your leftover fruits and vegetables fresher for longer—they can also be used to seal opened cans or jars. The smaller sizes are ideal for cucumbers and limes, while the larger ones work great with apples and onions. 

Food Huggers come with a lifetime warranty and help cut down on single-use plastic wrap, plastic bags, and foil. To use, simply press down the fruit or vegetable into the Food Hugger, and the edges will fold down and around your food to create a seal.

“I’ve had my Food Huggers for a few months now, and I almost always have at least one actively in use,” says Abigail Abesamis Demarest, writer for The Spruce Eats. “I cook with onions a lot, but rarely use the entire thing at once, so the extra-large Food Hugger comes in handy for saving what I don’t use for later.” 

If she’s making avocado toast for lunch, she uses a large Food Hugger to save the other half and keep it from browning and then throws it in the dishwasher when it needs to be cleaned (there's also an avocado-shaped version, which our tester loved). She found that she often has to use a towel to fully dry the inside, but says she doesn’t mind. For storage, the five Huggers nest inside each other—a convenient and space-saving feature, allowing the set to stay nestled away in a cooking utensils drawer.

Price at time of publish: $17

Material: Silicone | Number of Pieces: 5 | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Labels: BPA-free

Best Reusable Straws

Klean Kanteen 3-Piece Straw Set

4.8

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Kleankanteen.com

While stainless steel straws are ideal for punching through plastic to-go lids, silicone straws have a softer mouthfeel—this straw was designed for both scenarios. The bottom piece is made of stainless steel, and the top part is a curved silicone flex tip, so it’s very comfortable to drink through since you can sip without having to tip your head at an awkward angle.

These straws are quite versatile in regards to the types of beverages they can be used with. Each can also be used in different size glassware and containers, thanks to the expander tube included with the set. While no cleaning tools are included, we found the straws wide enough to rinse out sufficiently with water and soap. Plus, they can be put in the dishwasher. We really appreciate how durable these straws are.

Price at time of publish: $9.95

Material: Stainless steel, food-grade silicone | Count: 3 | Labels: BPA-free

Best Reusable Paper Towel

Mioeco Reusable Unpaper Towels

4.8

View On Amazon View On Mioeco.com

If minimizing negative effects on the environment is the main goal behind replacing outdated cleaning methods, snag an affordable bundle of these Global Organic Textile Standard-certified kitchen cloths. Produced with carbon-neutral manufacturing, the absorbent cotton is long-lasting, machine washable, and not dyed or bleached. 

Additional favorites of ours is that they are effective at removing tough stains and grease from appliances, can be used as napkins at mealtime, and are super simple to sanitize. Plus, if the majority of your kitchen decor is neutral or earth tones, they look quite chic next to the sink and hanging on towel racks. Admittedly, we do wish there were some more colors and prints. MioEco estimates that one reusable cloth paper towel can replace up to 130 rolls of standard paper towels.

Price at time of publish: $28.95

Material: Organic Cotton | Count: 10 | Size: 11.02 x 2.95 x 2.95 inches | Labels: Made from 100% GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified organic cotton in a Fair Trade certified factory, bleach-free

Best Food Containers

Glasslock 18-Piece Assorted Oven Safe Container Set

5

View On Amazon View On Wayfair

This container set from Glasslock stands out because of its quality build and design. The 18-piece set (the count includes the lids) has four rectangular containers in varying sizes, two square containers in a small and large size, and three different-sized round containers. 

The containers themselves are recyclable glass made from silica, soda ash, limestone, and other natural components; they're also oven safe. Each of the BPA-free plastic lids has a rubber gasket and four latches, making them completely airtight and as leakproof as it gets. During tests, we praised the airtight lock and the fact that these containers are easily stackable, allowing for convenient compact storage. We also loved that completely see-through, so you always know which goodies you’ve stowed in the fridge or pantry. This set doesn’t stain and keeps leftovers very fresh, although the lids may be a little hard to close initially.

Price at time of publish: $57

Material: Glass | Number in Set: 9 | Items: (1) 6.3-cup rectangle, (2) 3.5-cup rectangle, (1) 1.6-cup rectangle, (1) 3.3-cup square, (1) 1.5-cup square, (1) 3.1-cup round, (1) 1.6-cup round, and (1) 0.7-cup round containers, plus 9 lids | Labels: BPA-free