Anything that helps me reduce waste in the kitchen while looking prettyyy on my countertop is a winner for me! ☺ This Zero Waste Kitchen set from Global WAKEcup is a super little starter pack.
Now, I feel the term ‘zero waste’ is thrown around a bit too loosely, and it is an almost impossible feat. ‘Low waste living’ is probably a more realistic goal. It is not about being perfectly sustainable; it is all about living simply, being mindful of the environment, and trying your best to reduce waste.
The Zero Waste Kitchen bundle contains two amber glass bottles (one spray bottle and one with a pump lid), a saucepan brush, a fruit and vegetable brush, a bottle brush, all delicately organised in a bronze coloured metal basket.
Here are my honest thoughts on each item and some tips on how they can help you on the way to a low waste lifestyle.
Amber Glass Spray Bottle
This 500ml amber glass spray bottle gets double environmental brownie points.
Firstly, you can fill them with your own completely natural cleaning products (or refill from your local refill shop). This saves on the production of the horrendously toxic cleaners that you will find on the shelves of your supermarket. Have a look at the label of these ‘standard’ chemical cleaners, and you might be surprised to see warning labels such as ‘Harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects‘.
Think of the poor, innocent fishies! Not to mention your own health as your spray (and breathe in) those chemicals around your home.
Secondly, the bottle is sustainably made from 100% recyclable materials (glass and BPA-free plastic), intended for a long life of use. In contrast to the throwaway concept of plastic spray cleaner bottles, these glass bottles help to reduce plastic waste.
The amber bottles are also available separately.
ZERO-WASTE KITCHEN TIP #1
Fill your spray bottle with this simple DIY recipe for a natural citrus cleaner using vinegar infused with orange and lime peels! Great as a zero-waste multi-purpose cleaner, and the infusion makes it smell less ‘vinegary’ and more ‘citrusy’.
Amber Glass Pump Bottle
The 500ml amber glass pump bottle also deserves similar environmental brownie points. It allows you to refill with natural soap rather than buying the synthetic soaps in plastic dispensers.
On top of the sustainable and non-toxic advantages of these bottles, I love that they are stylish enough to leave sitting out beside your sink. No need to hide these away behind cabinet doors, so it makes them much more accessible for daily use.
The amber bottles are also available separately.
ZERO-WASTE KITCHEN TIP #2
Switch from synthetic, plastic-packaged soaps and washing-up liquids to 100% natural, non-toxic, refillable options. Find your nearest refill store, or search for bulk-buy options online. I filled my amber glass pump bottle with natural washing-up liquid in my local refill shop for €2.83.
Vegetable and Fruit Brush
Is it just me that had never heard of a brush for cleaning vegetables and fruit?! Now that I have one, I’m not sure how I lived without it – My fruit and veg don’t seem clean unless I’ve given them a good brush/scrub!
It also saves time on food prep as the coarse bristles get into the crevices of vegetables like potatoes, meaning you have fewer ‘bad bits’ to cut out.
I did a little research, and apparently, scrubbing produce with a brush is more effective at removing dirt, bacteria and pesticide residue than simply washing with water by hand.
The handle of this brush is made from natural, sustainable bamboo, and the bristles are natural sisal. This means that the brush is entirely biodegradable at the end of its life – which should be in the distant future, judging from the quality of the product. 😊
A bamboo brush bundle is available separately.
ZERO-WASTE KITCHEN TIP #3
Use this coarse-bristled vegetable and fruit brush to scrub your carrots rather than peeling them. This will remove the fine outer layer of the carrot (and any dirt) without any wasted carrot peels. It is quicker too!
Saucepan Brush
While similar style to the fruit and vegetable brush, this saucepan brush has much softer bristles made of natural palm. The handle is made of sustainable bamboo, and so the whole thing is plastic-free and compostable at the end of its life.
It works perfectly on all dishes, glassware, pots and pans – And it has been handy to have my new, natural washing-up liquid within easy reach, only a mere pump away!
I have been using this in place of my old, plastic version, and I am glad to say it will be the last time I will be placing a plastic dish brush into landfill.
A bamboo brush bundle is available separately.
ZERO-WASTE KITCHEN TIP #4
If you are thinking of replacing your plastic kitchen brushes with sustainable brushes like the ones in this set, here is my two cents: It is best to use the brushes you already have until they are completely worn out.. and then use them a little more as bathroom scrubbers! And THEN, when they are undeniably at the end of their life, dispose of them, replace with eco-friendly versions, and never look back! 😅
Bottle Brush
This long-handled brush is perfect for cleaning those taller items which are difficult to reach with a short brush. It is great for flasks, jugs, jars and re-useable bottles (the inside of my copper bottles have thanked me).
The handle, made from sustainable bamboo and stainless steel, feels very sturdy. Two additional replacement heads are included in the set.
However, unfortunately, the brush head is made of plastic, which kind of scuppers the whole zero waste (or low waste) lifestyle vibe we are going for. I’m hoping that Global WAKEcup will find an alternative, plastic-free bottle-brush with natural bristles in future. It does feel durable, so I am certain it will have a decent lifespan (one of the criteria of sustainability), but it is the one brush in the set that is non-biodegradable.
A bamboo brush bundle is available separately.
Zero-Waste Kitchen Tip #5
Swap from disposable cups and bottles to reusable ones to save on plastic waste when you are on the go. I have a glass coffee cup with a silicone lid and Global WAKEcup copper water bottles that come everywhere with me. (See my review of the copper bottles here.)
Bronze Basket
This dainty French antique style metal basket is the perfect way to display all of your zero waste kitchen products on your worktop.
I love its understated style and the fact that it neatly houses all of my most-used daily cleaning supplies within easy reach. And the cabinet under the sink is for hiding all of my less frequently used supplies that are not as pleasing to the eye!
The basket has a handle which is ideal for when you need to carry the whole set to another room or area in your home.
It is worth noting that the basket is bronze coloured (painted finish) rather than actual bronze. Extremely cute, all the same!
The bronze basket is also available separately.
ZERO-WASTE KITCHEN TIP #6
Pair your new bronze basket with some beautiful flowers on your kitchen countertop or window sill! But avoid the plastic-wrapped bouquets: Go for a potted plant that will last much longer (it is always sad to see flowers in the bin after a week), or pick some local wildflowers and display them in empty jam jars or even a wine bottle! (Inspired by the Global WAKEcup blog on zero waste home hacks 😊)
Final Word on the Global WAKEcup Zero Waste Kitchen Bundle
If you are keen to embrace low-waste living and a toxin-free home, I would most definitely recommend the Global WAKEcup Zero Waste Kitchen set as a gorgeous little starter pack!
To summarise, here are the main reasons I think you will love it:
- You can refill the bottles with 100% natural, non-toxic cleaner and natural soap – brilliant news for your health and the environment.
- The products in the set are sustainably made from (mostly) recyclable or biodegradable natural materials.
- A very stylish addition to your kitchen countertop!
- Global WAKEcup has a plastic-free packaging policy (yay!), so your delivery will arrive safely in paper wrap rather than bubble wrap, and sealed with brown paper tape, rather than plastic sellotape.
- Global WAKEcup donates 10% of the profits from every sale to the Marine Conservation Society. This helps to support their vital work protecting marine habitats and campaigning and against plastic pollution.
When you do your best to shop with environmentally-conscious brands and avoid plastic, it is a great step towards sustainable, low-waste living. Reuse, reduce and recycle, and refill what you can, and try not to overthink the things you can not change.
Thank you @globalwakecup for this fantastic gift that I have enjoyed trialling, and I will continue to treasure and refill!
For more easy swaps on how to be greener and cleaner (as in: non-toxic!), have a read of this post where I have put together lots of easy eco swaps. 😊
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Absolutely loving all your bogs. It’s amazing how much is humans have no clue how our behaviour and daily practices are impacting on the environment negatively!! Your blogs are so informative and a breath of fresh air ❤️
Sineeeadd! Thank you so much for your lovely comment – So glad to hear you’re enjoying the blogs! I still have a lot to learn myself but trying to share the knowledge as I go ☺❤