You will be surprised that you have never thought of these easy zero waste no spend hacks for the kitchen. Saving the Earth has never been more affordable, or fun. Do not worry about skill level. I can do it, you can do it!!
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If in doubt about what a No Spend Challenge is have a read of our Getting Started Guide or have a watch of our how to YouTube video…
Table of Contents
Bulk buying / safe storage / happy prepping!
A no spend challenge does not mean no spending! Complex I know. What it means is that you make the most of what you have got. When there is a sale or you have a coupon you must make the most of this. Capitalising on a bargain is the only time it is a bargain. So please do not be pulled in by sales for things you cannot store or use. Sometimes I have been guilty of creating more waste by ‘bargain’ shopping. I am mainly talking about your food shop here! Do not bulk buy shoes or handbags!
Zero Waste Storage Solutions
My in-laws have a serious caffeine issue. They have very kindly donated to me all of their used coffee jars for the last few months. I also have some super usefulChalk Paint which I use for SO MANY projects! So for me this makes sense…
To reduce any chance of waste I store all dried goods in these sealable jars. As I have painted on them I have the space to also pop on the best before date, to the lid. This means when stored I can still see.
Grow Your Own
A packet of seeds will only cost a few pounds, but will produce a high yield for your kitchen.
I have been swapping plants with neighbours and sometimes you will be able to grow just a few plants from seeds, and then get some young plants in exchange. Suddenly zero waste and luxury fresh food go hand in hand with budget planning. This rocks for me as
I always find a weekly shop with fresh fruit and vegetables will cause food waste. So therefore I go mid-week, meaning actually I spend more in the shops.
This year I have even grown lavender from seed! Always read the instructions on the packet and make sure that you look on Freecycle for people giving away plant pots.
Compost Your Veg Scraps
We have just made a compost heap from old pallets. This means we can have two bins on the go, the first we fill then move to the second one once the first is getting ready to be used. This gives us a constant supply of free, hig
h quality compost. So alongside the free pots, cuttings and seedlings we are doing ok. There is no plastic required to wrap our food up before it arrives with us, we just dig it out of the ground. I have a few clever little ideas for maximising small spaces. You could easily try things like Potato
Towers as they are so easy on your back.
Small space – fast pace compost
We are working towards moving to a smallholding. So we have not always had a medium sized garden, or any garden in fact. So we are pretty happy with windowsill gardening – see micro greens and how to grow them.
I write all this so you realise that I understand. We do not all have massive spaces to cultivate. If you wanted to purchase a compost bin as one of your larger investments you could do worse than a ready made compost bins.But do check your local Facebook swap shops for pallets. I also like the rotating compost bin as it can be a much quicker process and flies and vermin cannot get in.
Have a look at this idea as a way to save the yuck of a kitchen waste bin! 
Lazy Zero Waste Cooking
Don’t get me wrong, I am not a lazy person. However, why would I waste time cooking from scratch every night? I do make sandwiches and use a beeswax wrap instead of cling film as it has a single cost attached and doesn’t make any further waste.
Next thing I do for lunch is leftovers – glamourous, wonderful leftovers. So obsessed am I with ‘no waste’ that I actually create waste by making too much food. That way I can have it reheated for lunch the next day, or use some of the ingredients for dinner the next night.
Best waste to create..
Roasted vegetables are my absolute go to. If you roast root veg you can then use it again in an omelette type dish. Or in many different ways, but if you go
for Mediterranean veg you can make soups, bases for pasta sauces and all sorts of other yummy ideas. Either way you can add as much or as little flavour as you like. If you are growing your own veg, this is virtually cost free. Perfect for a No Spend Larder Challenge! To be fair though I have a block when it comes to carrots as mine are always wonky!
When can an egg clean your clothes?
When it is an eco-egg! The one here says it will clean 1000 loads, I have asked several forums and the consensus seems to be even more.
For Your Washing Up…
Have a try of our Twine Scourer Pad . It is a simple craft I promise!
For more on going paper free in the kitchen check out a wonderful site for sustainable living tips Old World New as there are loads of fab options there too!
inspiring bit …
I hope that I have given you all a few places to start. We are finally feeling free because of our No Spend Challenge but we have always been super keen on upcycling and reusing. I want us all to feel more confident to give things a try and if there is no cost attached I think we have nothing to lose! Please get started and let us all know how you do on our Facebook Page or by subscribing here! So time to get stuck in! Make that promise to yourself, you are going to buy the seeds, start the compost, use a wrap, save your leftovers. Whatever it takes to make the first step, you can do it!
I have now created a page for Zero waste snacks affordable alternatives which I think gives away my main purpose in life! But I hope that this will become a popular page as well!
I’m going to be adding more. So why not join in? why not start saving money? Why not carry on Saving the planet? I’m loving it, so might you!
UPDATE ; we have now added a Zero Waste Bathroom Essentials article as we have improved our own habits. I will admit that I had deep fear of mot using the name brand plastic covered deodorant, but I have been surprised. I hope you will be too.
