Healthy, pretty, yummy

And there’s no longer any reason to put our good resolutions off until tomorrow. In a world void of canteens and business lunches, we have found ourselves surrounded by our own four walls and a starving family demanding three meals a day. So, what better time than now to turn over a new leaf and embark on a better way of life? More environmentally-friendly tools, accessories and products are there to help us on our way.

“Eat your greens”, “clear your plate”, “don’t waste food”: our parents’ mealtime mantra has now truly come into its own at a time when everyone is set on eating more healthily and preserving the planet. Putting their words into practice is no longer a punishment but rather the very simplest thing we can do to help protect our environment.

First to come under fire are leftovers, which are no longer discarded and instead find themselves carefully stored away ready to be transformed into something new. And since plastic film and containers made from non-recycled and non-recyclable materials are now banished from any home that considers itself even slightly responsible, other recipients more in-line with our current demands are truly coming into their own. Popcorn’s Wreck containers for example, are made from glass and stackable, whilst Life Without Plastic clearly has its sights set on changing the way things are done with its stainless steel containers that boast a watertight seal. Le Parfait’s jars, meanwhile, are no longer solely destined for vegetable preserves and jams.

Then there are all the non-disposable wraps that can simply be rinsed and re-used. It may seem like a bit of a chore, but they’re so much easier to use than a rebellious roll of cling film. There’s Another-way’s Bee Wrap, for example, which is manufactured in Marseilles, whilst a similar product from Sustainable Wrap is produced off the Australian coast in northern Tasmania, also using beeswax. They provide the perfect solution for wrapping up home-made sandwiches or fruit and vegetables, all seasonal, of course, or equipping dishes or bowls with an airtight cover in an instant.

Purchasing food in bulk is another trend that is spreading right across Europe, driven by the development of specialised outlets such as La Recharge, Day by Day and The Clean Kilo. It’s a practise that is playing a major part in the drive to cut down on disposable plastic. So, what are the alternative solutions? There are eco-friendly cotton or hessian shoppers, or traditional string bags made from organic cotton that are perfect for carrying your shopping home. Re-fillable bags, meanwhile, such as those made by Feel Inde are the ideal solution for transporting the pasta, seeds, muesli, rice and pulses purchased in these new bulk stores.

“Zero waste” is the new mantra in kitchens the world over, with the most demanding consumers now turning their backs on coffee capsules, even if they’re recyclable. One possible option is to drink filter coffee instead, with the latest must being a brew prepared with the utmost sense of ceremony using washable cotton filters from Cookut. And to transport your precious drink from the kitchen to your (home) office (of course), it simply needs to be poured into one of Ecoffee cup’s reusable cups complete with stopper. After all, the last thing you’d want to do is throw away such a beautiful vessel you’ve so carefully chosen for its perfect colour or designer pattern dreamed up by illustrators or designer-makers! Something else that no longer gets thrown away is peelings. The delightfully compact Bokoshi Organko 2 from Skaza Exceeding Expectations resembles a domestic appliance sitting discretely on the worktop. It produces compost to nourish your houseplants as well as a fermented liquid with which you can then water them. Apparently, that self-same liquid can be used to give waste water pipes a good clean, too.

Anyone lacking outdoor space will be able to use both the compost and liquid on the mini-gardens that have now become a staple in our kitchens. Véritable offers over 68 varieties of edible plants to sow in its high-tech indoor kitchen gardens, which are perfect for growing basil, hyssop, mint, edible flowers and mini veg. In a similar vein, the Plant stand manufactured by Estonian firm Smart Garden allows three of its mini-gardens to be vertically stacked. Domestic kitchen-style intensive farming at its best!  If you reckon you’re not blessed with green fingers, Greek firm Rhoeco invites you to slowly reconnect with the natural world. Start by sipping one of their Mediterranean-inspired herbal teas. Then, once you’ve drunk all the tea in the box, use it as a container in which to plant the seed stick you’ll find safely secured under the lid. Next, simply water and look on in admiration as your aromatic plant starts to grow. Now’s the time to replant it in a larger pot and start picturing yourself as a gardener. Last but not least, pick the leaves and enjoy sipping them as an infusion. Congratulations! You’ve just taken your very first steps towards self-sufficiency and the circular economy! 

By Marie Montuir