Last Updated on October 25, 2024
As you can imagine, I’m all about finding ways to reduce food waste at home. It’s a huge part of my zero waste lifestyle, and in all honestly, I love the challenge!
Not to mention, food waste is a major global issue with serious environmental consequences. Each year, tons of food — literally 1.3 billion tons — end up in the trash, adding to the ever-growing greenhouse gas emissions and putting a strain on our planet’s resources.
Thankfully, there are ways to combat food waste: with a little bit of planning and a some sustainable recipes! By adopting zero waste recipes in the kitchen, you can help cut down on waste and protect the environment.
I have several zero waste recipe ideas that help reduce food waste and support sustainability. From using leftover vegetables in a stir fry to adding overly ripe bananas to bread, these sustainable recipes use food scraps to create delicious meals. There are so many creative ways to cook consciously and make a positive impact on the planet. Start with these zero waste recipes!
what is a sustainable recipe?
A sustainable recipe is a dish that’s made with the environment in mind. They’re often made with food scraps or locally sourced ingredients, and they make the most of every part of the ingredients to reduce food waste.
Zero waste recipes are also often plant-based, which is better for the environment than animal products (sorry, I said it!). Many also encourage eco-friendly cooking methods, like using energy-efficient appliances and conserving water.
Ultimately, sustainable recipes aim to help the environment while still being tasty and nutritious. Discover my favorite options below!
my favorite recipes to reduce food waste
1. leftover vegetable stir-fry
I’m all about simplicity, so I make stir-fries quite a bit. All you need to do is toss the ingredients in a pan with some oil or sauce and let the heat work its magic. So easy!
Whether it’s bell peppers, broccoli, or carrots, you can use whatever types of vegetables you have on hand. Toss them into a frying pan with some soy sauce, heat over medium until warmed through, and voila. I like to serve my stir-fry over a bed of rice or noodles to make it even heartier. This zero waste recipe from one of my favorite bloggers, Zero Waste Chef, is my go-to for busy weeknights when I just don’t feel like cooking.
2. banana bread
Banana bread is one of those OG anti-food waste recipes that I think we all know and love. I personally make one at least once a month. It’s the best way I know of using up overly ripe bananas… no mater how black and squishy they may be, I’ll always choose fresh banana bread over tossing perfectly good fruit in the trash.
This version from Minimalist Baker is also vegan and gluten-free!
3. root-to-stem broccoli soup
Don’t let those broccoli stems go to waste. I often chop the entire broccoli and use every part of it in stir-fries and pasta dishes, but I know many people tend to discard it.
I also like using it in broccoli stem soup! Simply sauté some onion and garlic until fragrant, then add chopped broccoli stems and vegetable broth to the pot. Let the mixture simmer until the broccoli is tender, then blend until smooth. Another extremely easy way to reduce food waste.
I usually use this broccoli soup recipe from Smitten Kitchen, and make sure to use the entire head of broccoli… root to stem.
4. stale bread croutons
This one’s a classic that I’ve been making since I was in college. It’s one of my favorite zero waste recipes – homemade croutons. There’s nothing better than croutons fresh out of the oven on soup or salad. And they’re so easy to make yourself.
All you need to do is chop the stale bread into cubes, then toss them with some olive oil, garlic powder, and your favorite herbs and seasonings. Spread the croutons onto a greased baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees F until they’re golden brown and crispy.
The bloggers over at 100 Days of Real Food have an excellent recipe to follow.
5. fruit peel infused water
Sustainable recipes mean nothing goes to waste, so yes, you better believe that I add fruit peels (and other parts of fruit we usually throw away) to water to create a refreshing drink.
My favorites include citrus, cucumber peels, and strawberry tops — they infuse flavor without any added sugar or sweeteners and help reduce food waste. You can also add some fresh herbs that may have started to wilt. I love pairing basil with orange and lemon with mint.
Ashley over at Grocery Addict has a recipe that I often turn to when I’m out of ideas.
6. vegetable scrap stock
This is another one I’ve been making for years. Vegetable stock is super easy to make from veggie scraps and peels. All you need to do is choose your preferred vegetables then throw them in a pan with water. Bring the mixture to a boil then allow it to simmer for about 6 hours.
Homestead and Chill has my favorite recipe!
reducing food waste faqs
how can I store perishable food so it lasts longer?
You can easily extend the shelf life of perishable food if you store it properly. Keep fruits and vegetables in the crisper drawer, but try to keep one drawer for fruits and another for vegetables to keep them from ripening too quickly. Keep dairy and meat products in the coldest part of the fridge, and make sure to place leftovers in airtight containers. Beeswax wraps and silicone lids are your friends.
what are some tips for using up leftovers?
Get creative in the kitchen to make the most of your leftovers. There are many ways to transform them into new dishes — stir-fries, casseroles, or salads are just a few ideas. You can use them for pizza toppings or as sandwich fillings, or incorporate them into omelets or frittatas for breakfast. Use your imagination to create your own sustainable recipes! I run a series on my instagram every week called Scraptastic, where I shoot a video showing you how to transform your wilting kale into pasta sauce, limp cucumbers into gaszpacho, canned chickpea liquid into vegan royal icing, and more.
how can I plan my meals to reduce food waste?
Plan meals thoughtfully by first checking your fridge and cupboard to determine what you already have before you head to the store. Creating a weekly meal plan and making a shopping list can be super helpful as well — try to choose ingredients that can be used in a variety of meals. Then, when you do your shopping, buy only what you need for the week. Not only will you reduce food waste, you’ll also save on groceries.
The post My Favorite Sustainable Recipes to Reduce Food Waste appeared first on Going Zero Waste.
There’s something undeniably special about wearing uniquely handcrafted, fair trade jewelry that you can know was made slowly and thoughtfully with care. Equally special is wearing an elevated set of jewelry crafted with recycled materials and sustainable processes.
Whether you’re looking for an investment piece or more affordable pieces, there are options for any budget on this list. The aesthetics of these fair trade and sustainable jewelry brands also vary, so you’ll also be able to discover an ethical brand that matches your unique style.
What is Fair Trade Jewelry?
Fair trade can both be a general term used to describe a brand’s sourcing practices — like direct relationships with artisan cooperatives, wages above local standard rates, and safe working conditions — or a third-party “Fair Trade” verification through an organization like Fair Trade Federation, Fair Trade USA, or World Fair Trade Organization. When a brand doesn’t have a certification, we verify a brand’s practices by their own published information.
In the cases where brands do go the extra mile and get a third-party verification for their fair trade practices, we’ve noted it directly in their entries.
Note that this guide includes affiliate links and partners. As always, we only feature brands that meet high standards for responsibility we love, and that we think you’ll love too!
2. Ana Luisa
Best for: affordable everyday jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Recycled Gold, Lab-Grown Diamonds, Small-Batch Production, Direct-to-Consumer
Ana Luisa creates stunning, elegant jewelry from responsibly-sourced materials including 100% recycled gold and lab-grown diamonds. The sustainable jewelry brand also produces in small batches to minimize waste.
By using a direct-to-consumer model, Ana Luisa is able to provide luxury, high-quality jewelry at accessible prices.
3. Monica Vinader
Best for: recycled demi-fine jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Woman-Founded, Recycled Silver & Gold Vermeil, Traceable Gemstones, Lab-Grown & Conflict-Free Diamonds, Supply Chain Transparency
Price Range: $85 (studs) – $2,495 (diamond ring)
British jewelry brand Monica Vinader was one of the first brands to meet the gap between fashion jewelry and fine jewelry with their “demi fine” jewelry. The women-founded brand has necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings crafted from 100% recycled sterling silver and gold vermeil, fully traceable gemstones, and lab-grown or conflict-free diamonds. Monica Vinader also launched Product Passports, taking an active effort towards full supply chain transparency.
4. WorldFinds
Best for: unique statement jewelry with a story
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade Verified, Upcycled Materials, Artisan-Made
WorldFinds provides sustainable employment and just wages for hundreds of women artisans in India and Bali. These artisans handcraft both sleek metal fair trade jewelry and unique recycled Kantha pieces. WorldFinds is Verified by the Fair Trade Federation, which assesses members against fair trade principles including fair wages, safe conditions, and transparent supply chains.
Plus WorldFinds’ signature Kantha jewelry is made from upcycling materials: wood scraps from a furniture factory and locally sourced Kantha fabric remnants.
5. Astor + Orion
Best for: drop earrings and charm necklaces with symbolism
Conscious Qualities: Certified Ethical Factory, Recycled Materials, Designed for Recyclability, Repair Program
Ethical jewelry brand Astor + Orion sources their jewelry from a factory with multiple certifications ensuring worker safety, fair production practices, and responsible environmental management. Astor + Orion’s stunning jewelry is made from recycled materials and designed in a way to make it easily recyclable! Their pieces also come with a quality assurance — the brand will repair any piece within 6 months of purchase.
6. Laura Elizabeth
Best for: non-toxic jewelry in organic shapes
Conscious Qualities: Locally Sourced Recycled Metals, Woman-Owned, Fair Wages, Safe Working Conditions
Price Range: $45 – $330
Crafted from recycled metals sourced locally in LA, Laura Elizabeth creates stand-out sustainable jewelry. All of the brand’s jewelry is sourced ethically from a small, woman-owned studio in Los Angeles that ensures reasonable working hours (35 hr/week), fair wages, and safe working conditions (such as proper ventilation). Check out more on Laura Elizabeth in this post!
The jewelry is also non-toxic, free of cadmium or lead.
7. Ten Thousand Villages
Best for: giftable fair trade jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade Production, Artisan-Made
Price Range: $6 – $175
Founded in 1946, Ten Thousand Villages is one of the fair trade pioneers and a founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), the global network that verifies fair trade practices across its member organizations.
They’ve developed relationships with artisans around the world, providing valuable economic opportunities for thousands of makers in 30 countries around the world. Their marketplace has handmade necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings, along with a variety of other fair trade goods.
8. Edge of Ember
Best for: gemstone jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Recycled Gold & Silver, Artisan-Made, Ethical Production
Price Range: $49 (ear cuff) – $2,730 (diamond tennis bracelet)
Edge of Ember’s timeless jewelry is responsibly crafted by makers working in artisan groups and small-scale factories. Their delicate necklaces, bracelets, rings, and other pieces are crafted by skilled artisans in India, Hong Kong, Germany, and Thailand. The brand carries out independent social audits to ensure ethical working conditions and environmental responsibility.
Edge of Ember has a wide selection of recycled gold and silver rings, bracelets, and necklaces adorned with stunning gemstones, including many birthstone jewelry options perfect for gifting.
9. Aurate
Best for: ethical diamond fine jewelry
Conscious Qualities: 100% Recycled Gold, Lab-Grown & Conflict-Free Diamonds, Vintage Collection
Price Range: $18 (stainless steel chain) – $19,000 (diamond tennis necklace)
Responsibly-sourced quality jewelry — that’s Aurate’s promise. The jewelry brand’s sleek, timeless pieces are thoughtfully made by seventh-generation craftspeople using 100% recycled gold and lab-grown or conflict-free diamonds.
Aurate also has a curated collection of vintage fine jewelry from cocktail watches to signet rings up to 50% off.
10. SOKO
Best for: modern, minimalist artisan-made jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Above-Market Artisan Wages, Black-Owned
Price Range: $78 – $298
SOKO is an innovative Black-owned ethical jewelry brand using mobile tools to bridge the barriers for artisan entrepreneurs in Kenya. In partnership with SOKO, independent artisans can operate a “virtual factory”, earning 5x more than an average artisan workshop in their local areas.
The jewelry is made with 24K gold or silver-plated brass — an affordable metal that also happens to consist of 90% recycled content on average. Other materials include reclaimed horn and bone, locally-sourced teak wood offcuts, and ceramic beads made by a fair trade women’s collective in Kenya.
10. Raven + Lily
Best for: affordable artisan jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade Verified, Artisan-Made, Women-Led
Price Range: $40 – $240
Raven + Lily is an ethical fashion and jewelry brand verified Fair Trade by the Fair Trade Federation. The women-led brand partners with artisan women around the world who use natural materials to craft both classic, elegant pieces and statement jewelry.
11. NAKIIT
Best for: one-of-a-kind, solo-handcrafted pieces
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-Order, Recycled Silver & Gold, Zero-Waste Scrap Recycling
Price Range: $21 – $485
As a small, slow-minded jewelry brand, NAKIIT’s founder + owner handcrafts each piece with intention. In fact, every piece of jewelry the brand sells is made by the founder herself!
Nearly all of NAKIIT’s ethically-made jewelry is either made-to-order or one-of-a-kind, ensuring a minimal ecological impact and the highest attention to quality.
As if we could love this brand even more, NAKIIT also sources recycled sterling silver and gold, plus recycles any remaining metal scraps or dust after production.
You May Also Want to Check Out:
Best Fair Trade Fashion Brands With Style and Heart
Affordable Ethical Fashion Brands
Consciously Curated Marketplaces for One-Stop Ethical Shopping
The post 11 Best Fair Trade and Sustainable Jewelry Brands That Shine appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
11 Best Fair Trade and Sustainable Jewelry Brands That Shine
It’s time to leave fast fashion in the dust — with one-of-a-kind designs, quality fabrics, and the assurance your dollars are supporting a more responsible fashion industry, these slow fashion brands are sure to win you over.
Before we go any further, though, I think we need to clarify what exactly slow fashion is…
What Do I Mean By “Slow Fashion?”
Slow fashion is about being more mindful and thoughtful about how clothing (and other fashion items) are being produced, how they’re being purchased, and how they’re being used/worn.
Instead of mass-producing trend-driven garments cheaply and quickly, slow fashion production is about creating a piece to last by using high-quality materials, transitional designs (i.e. they migth be contemporary but they’re not super “trendy”), and durable construction.