One simple way to do this is to make sure your appliances are built to last. Sure, bargain deals have their place (see: that thrift shop T-shirt you’ve had since high school), but the kitchen is one place where making an investment is worth it. One brand that continues to exemplify this “dependable over disposable” mindset is Vitamix. More recently, they launched a stainless steel alternative to their classic BPA-free containers. We got our hands on one, and we have to say, this thing is essentially an odor-resistant space shuttle that also makes killer gazpacho. For all the kitchen gadgets you have to replace after a few months (whether due to wear and tear or a smell that won’t go away), this easy-to-clean countertop essential will last you longer than that cast-iron skillet you inherited from your grandma. This logic can be easily applied to, well, just about every other tool, gizmo, and gadget in your kitchen. Single-use items—be it a waffle maker, pizza scissors, or an (ugh) “avocado slicer”—do little beyond taking up space (physically and mentally). Beyond the real estate they occupy on the counter, they could also be using up unnecessary energy (here’s how to combat that throughout the home). Our advice? Stick to the basics (plot twist: Your grandma’s legendary lasagna recipe was made using nothing but a chef’s knife and an oven). So, much in the way you wouldn’t eat any ingredients your grandma couldn’t pronounce, maybe it’s time to ditch any appliances she wouldn’t know how to use. Planning your grocery trips and getting creative with excess ingredients are both places to start, but we at mbg have long been huge advocates for the power of composting. While traditional composting has always been a tried-and-true method, modern appliances like the Vitamix FoodCycler™ FC-50 are making it easier than ever to reduce food waste. Gone are the days when composting made your kitchen smell like soggy banana peels, because this countertop recycler is completely odorless (not to mention silent). And with its compact size—it fits almost anywhere in your home that’s near a power outlet—and speed, transforming your food scraps in nutrient-rich fertilizer has never been more accessible.
