Zero Waste Kitchen Essentials Under $20

Let’s be real: your kitchen probably has a drawer full of random plastic junk you’ve collected over the years. Half of it breaks, the other half just takes up space, and somehow you’re still reaching for paper towels every five minutes. Sound familiar? I’ve been there, and trust me—it’s not a fun cycle. But here’s the good news: creating a zero waste kitchen doesn’t mean blowing your budget. In fact, you can grab a ton of game-changing essentials for under $20. Yes, under twenty bucks. (That’s less than the sushi takeout you regret ordering last weekend.) Ready to make your kitchen greener, cleaner, and way less wasteful? Let’s do this.

Reusable Cleaning Cloths

Paper towels are basically money-eating machines. You buy a roll, use it for like three days, and boom—it’s gone. Reusable cleaning cloths solve that problem.

Why They’re Awesome

• They replace hundreds of rolls of paper towels.
• Most are machine-washable, so you use them again and again.
• They clean better than the flimsy stuff from the grocery store.

I started using Nano Towels (yep, those microfiber bad boys) a while back. Honestly? I don’t miss paper towels at all. Ever wonder why cleaning with just water actually works? Those fibers trap dirt and grease so well it feels like witchcraft. The best part? You can grab a set for under $20, and they’ll last months, if not years.

Mason Jars (a.k.a. Kitchen MVPs)

If I had a dollar for every time a mason jar saved my butt in the kitchen, I’d… well, I’d have enough dollars to buy more mason jars. These things are the Swiss Army knife of zero waste living.

How You Can Use Them

• Storing leftovers (bye-bye, plastic wrap).
• Holding dry goods like rice, oats, and pasta.
• DIY salad dressings or overnight oats.
• Even iced coffee on the go (because yes, you look cooler sipping out of a jar).

And let’s be honest—they just look good. You’ll feel like one of those Pinterest-perfect people every time you open your pantry. Packs of mason jars usually run well under $20, and they last basically forever unless you hurl one off the counter.

Beeswax Wraps

Ever wrapped half an onion in cling wrap and found it looking sad and slimy two days later? Yeah, plastic wrap sucks. Beeswax wraps are the eco-friendly, reusable alternative.

Why Beeswax Wraps Rule

• They mold with the warmth of your hands.
• They keep produce and leftovers fresh.
• They’re reusable for about a year.

I use them on everything—half-eaten fruit, bowls without lids, even blocks of cheese. Plus, they come in cute patterns, so your fridge actually looks fun instead of like a landfill in progress. And yes, you can easily score a starter pack under $20.

Bamboo Utensils

Single-use plastic utensils are basically the cockroaches of the kitchen world—everywhere, annoying, and terrible for the planet. Enter: bamboo utensils.

Perks of Bamboo

• Lightweight and durable.
• Totally compostable at the end of their life.
• No weird plasticky taste.

I keep a small bamboo fork and spoon set in my bag, and it has saved me from countless plastic spork disasters. Pro tip: they make great picnic companions too. Sets usually cost less than $15, so your wallet won’t cry.

Reusable Produce Bags

You know those flimsy plastic produce bags at the store? The ones that tear the second you put more than two apples in them? Yeah, those need to go. Reusable produce bags are way sturdier and much less annoying.

Why You’ll Love Them

• They’re washable and last forever.
• They come in different sizes for everything from garlic to kale.
• You can see through mesh versions, so checkout staff won’t roll their eyes.

Ever had an onion bust through one of those thin plastic bags and roll across the store floor? I have. Not my proudest moment. For under $20, you can avoid that humiliation forever.

Compost Bin (Countertop Size)

Okay, hear me out: composting sounds intimidating, but it’s not. A small countertop compost bin makes it super simple. Toss your veggie scraps in there, then transfer them to your outdoor bin (or community compost if you’ve got one nearby).

Benefits of a Countertop Compost Bin

• Cuts down your trash volume dramatically.
• Keeps food scraps from rotting in landfills.
• Stops your kitchen trash from smelling like death.

I grabbed a stainless steel one with a charcoal filter for under $20, and it made composting feel way less “crunchy hippie” and way more practical.

Stainless Steel Straws

Paper straws? Soggy sadness tubes. Plastic straws? Straight to the landfill. The solution? Stainless steel straws.

Why Go Stainless

• They’re reusable forever.
• Super easy to clean with a tiny brush.
• They actually make your drink feel colder (which is surprisingly nice).

I thought these were just an Instagram fad, but now I keep one in my glove box for drive-thru iced coffees. A set usually costs $10–15, which is way cheaper than buying iced lattes every day (just saying).

Silicone Baking Mats

If you bake cookies and still use parchment paper every time, I’ve got news for you: silicone baking mats will change your life.

Why They’re a Win

• Totally non-stick.
• Reusable hundreds of times.
• They cut down on kitchen waste instantly.

Ever tried to peel stuck-on cookies off parchment and ended up with sad cookie crumbs instead of actual cookies? Yeah, that won’t happen here. For under $20, you’ll wonder why you didn’t buy these sooner.

Cloth Napkins

Disposable napkins are like paper towels’ annoying cousins. They add up fast, and you don’t even notice until you’re constantly restocking. Cloth napkins fix that.

Why They’re Worth It

• Softer and nicer than paper napkins.
• Easy to wash and reuse.
• They make weeknight dinners feel a little fancier.

I bought a set of plain white ones on sale, and now every meal feels 10% classier. And yes, they were under $20.

Glass Spray Bottles

If you’re trying to ditch chemical cleaners, grab a couple of glass spray bottles. Fill them with DIY cleaners like vinegar + water (bonus points for a few drops of essential oil if you’re feeling extra).

Perks

• No more plastic bottles piling up.
• Sturdy and reusable forever.
• Clear bottles look chic on the counter.

Mine live under the sink, and I refill them every week. They cost about $15 for a two-pack and make me feel like a mad scientist in the best way.

The Budget-Friendly Zero Waste Kitchen Starter Pack

So, what does all this mean for you? You don’t need to spend hundreds to go zero waste in the kitchen. For under $20 per item, you can:

• Swap paper towels for reusable cloths.
• Store everything in mason jars.
• Wrap leftovers with beeswax wraps.
• Eat on the go with bamboo utensils.
• Shop smarter with reusable produce bags.
• Compost scraps in a countertop bin.
• Sip smarter with stainless steel straws.
• Bake better with silicone mats.
• Dine fancier with cloth napkins.
• Clean greener with glass spray bottles.

All without torching your bank account. Pretty sweet deal, right?

Conclusion

Here’s the bottom line: a zero waste kitchen doesn’t need to be expensive, complicated, or Instagram-perfect. You just need a few smart swaps, most of which cost less than your weekly coffee habit. And IMO, making the switch feels good—not just because you save money, but because you stop contributing to the endless cycle of single-use waste.

So, next time you’re tempted to buy another roll of paper towels or a stack of plastic storage bags, ask yourself: could one of these budget-friendly zero waste essentials do the job better? Spoiler alert: the answer is almost always yes. 🙂