Everyone starts somewhere! Here are 3 easy steps to getting started on reducing your kitchen waste today for a better tomorrow.
If you are new to the No Waste journey, or just want to brush up on the basics, then here are my tips for getting started in 3 easy steps!
Identifying the largest waste-producers in your kitchen is the first step towards reducing your waste. Once you know what causes the problem, then you can start working on a solution.

Originally Published On: September 15, 2018
Last Updated On: May 6, 2020
Getting Started Blog Posts
The following are suggested blog posts to read through if you are just getting started. They are also good reminders of some of the basics of having a No Waste Kitchen.
- What Does “No Waste Kitchen” Mean?
- How to do a Home Trash Audit
- 30 Day Challenge
- Top 10 Swaps for a No Waste Kitchen
- The 5 Rs in No Waste
- How Does Recycling Work?
- No Waste Kitchen on a Budget
- Meal Plan Tips for a No Waste Kitchen
- Food Waste: Top 8 Tips to Avoid Throwing Away Food

Reduce Waste
The only way to reduce the waste your kitchen outputs is to work on a lifestyle change. It doesn’t happen overnight, and takes a while to become routine.
Make a plan. Take action. Implement small changes. Let the small changes grow into bigger changes. You can do this!
Just remember, even the smallest pebble can create a huge ripple effect. Every choice you make, every tiny victory, can help make the Earth a cleaner place and only helps the health of you and your family.
Browse through the blog for ideas and tips that can help you and your family and share with others who may need that gentle push towards reducing their carbon footprint.

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When working in the kitchen, it helps to make sure you have the correct equipment. The following items are hand-selected for this post and are all items I have personally used and/or recommend.
These are affiliate links. See disclosures for more information.

More No Waste Kitchen Ideas
- How to Naturally Dye Easter Eggs with Kitchen Scraps
- How to Grow Your own Food without Waste
- How to Start an Indoor Herb Garden
- Holiday Gift Guide for a No Waste Kitchen
- 7 Tips for No Waste Grocery Shopping at a Supermarket
- How to Throw a No Waste Birthday Party
- The Ultimate Goal: Remove the Trash Can
- 16 Ways to Reuse Twist-Ties
- Packing a No Waste Lunch (For School or Work)
- What is “Pantry Week” + How does it Prevent Waste?
- How to have an Organized Pantry Without Plastic
- 12 Best Apps for a No Waste Kitchen
- Eating the Seasons: A Monthly Guide to the Best Produce
- 11 Ways to Use Fresh Herbs
- Why an Online Grocery Order is Wasteful
- How to Recycle Responsibly
- 24 Ways to Reuse Glass Jars Throughout the House
- Travel Tips for a No Waste Kitchen
- How to Read a Simple Recycle Label
- Grocery Shopping Essentials for a No Waste Kitchen
- Food Waste: Top 8 Tips to Avoid Throwing Away Food
- Meal Plan Tips for a No Waste Kitchen
- No Waste Kitchen on a Budget
- How Does Recycling Work?
- The 5 Rs in No Waste
- Top 10 Swaps for a No Waste Kitchen
- What Does No Waste Kitchen Mean?
- How to do a Home Trash Audit
- 30 Day No Waste Challenge
- No Waste Kitchen: Getting Started in 3 Steps
- 20+ Kitchen Ingredient Substitutions in an Emergency






I think this is such a great idea! I know personally, I definitely feel like I waste too much in our kitchen. I think this site will be a great resource for positive change.
I thought we were doing pretty well until I started really diving into everything and realized we have so much room for change, too!
Cheers to this! I believe healthy living goes hand-in-hand with waste reduction. It’s also simply an easier way to live! Keep spreading the word!
You’re right, it really does! We are trying to make a positive change in our household.
Oh I love this! I need to be more no waste! Thanks for the tips!
It isn’t always easy, especially with kids. But little changes add up!
I have really wanted to try this for a long time. I love not wasting stuff when I don’t have to.
I agree, it’s not always easy to get started, but it’s great to work on!
What an amazing initiative! More of us should really start reducing waste. I will make sure that I will share this with my friends. We should all start doing something!
Thanks for sharing! Each person can make a difference, even if it is just a little bit at a time.
What a wonderful idea! I know that my household is much more wasteful than it needs to be. It’s easy to get stuck in bad habits. I’m looking forward to changing those bad habits and reducing waste!
You’re right, it’s definitely about changing habits and finding other ways to do things.
I think this is a fantastic idea to share with others. As a former chef, I use many of these no waste techniques on a regular basis.
That’s great to hear that you can already implement so many ways to reduce waste.
This would be so very awesome! I have always liked the idea of a no waste kitchen. thanks for all the pointers and starting tips.
It’s something to work towards. Each step you take is one closer to being waste-free!
I’ve seen the genesis of your food blog and how far you have come with it. I am so impressed by your organization and effort because you offer tips and food we could all enjoy.
Thank you, Elizabeth! It’s wonderful to be able to share so many ideas with others.
Yes, I am on this path as well! But I need to go through all your blog posts for better clarity and solutions ☺ Gotta share this with my friends too!
I’m glad you are working on this, too! Right now I am focusing on reducing waste in the kitchen, then I plan to move to other areas of the house.