Let me begin: despite what social media and the internet say, you do not need every advertised gadget to lead a fulfilling life. In fact, NOT buying things would probably benefit you more.

With that disclaimer out of the way, I’ll admit that some products can be an environmental, financial, and time-saving investment. While I’m not perfect at living a zero-waste, plastic-free lifestyle, I do my best to take a European, Earth-conscious approach to our household.

Here are five products that make my quest for sustainability a little easier.

1. DeLonghi Podless Espresso Machine

   I was 100% Team Moka Pot for years, but it eventually lost its luster. Moka pots can be a little tedious to clean, they make larger quantities of espresso, and they don’t have a crema. By the end of last year, I found myself looking forward to visits to our local Italian market just for an excuse to buy a hot and foamy coffee. My parents just bought me this DeLonghi espresso machine for Christmas and I am completely in love. It’s compact, easy to clean, and podless - the perfect mix between a low-waste moka pot and perfectly foamy, single-serve espresso.

2. Swedish dish cloths

   You may already be using a washable cloth on your countertops. I used to, but I found that cloths take forever to dry and can simply get gross. Plus, once they start to show their wear, they eventually end up in the trash. Swedish Dishcloths from Earth Hero are completely compostable, quick-drying, and you can pop them in the dishwasher when they get dirty. Another bonus? They are way easier to store than washcloths.

3. Silicone stretch lids

   Nothing irritates me more than clingy, unruly plastic wrap. I will absolutely lose my mind if I try to tear off a piece of plastic wrap and it gets stuck to itself…or worse, it DOESN’T stick at all?! These stretchy lids are perfect for covering bowls while prepping baked goods or storing food in the fridge. They take no time to clean and stack easily.

4. Bouillon Cubes

   Use whatever brand you prefer, but bouillon has immensely lessened my ecoanxiety. While I would love to make homemade chicken or vegetable stock on a weekly basis, I just don’t. Perhaps one day, I’ll prepare a beautiful stock from a full chicken carcass each Sunday, but that dream has not turned to reality just yet. Instead, I’ve at least switched from generic, boxed stocks to jarred bouillon, and they are a game-changer. Bouillon is not only packed with flavor, but it takes up ten percent of the fridge space and is easier to recycle. The only con is that many brands use filler ingredients and caramel color. Let me know in the comments if you have a go-to, clean brand! Bonus points if you reuse the jars instead of recycling, which brings me to…

5. …The jars in your pantry

   Per my last blog post, I’m increasingly becoming a fan of freezing seasonal items and “preparing for winter.” This requires a full stockpile of food storage containers and jars, so I’m trying to be more intentional with my recycling. Take a look at your fridge and pantry and notice how many pickle, tomato sauce, and mayo jars you already have. Instead of tossing them in the recycling bin (or - gasp! - the trash), run them through the dishwasher, scrape off the labels, and use them as food storage. Glass jars are the best for freezing prepared sauces and they’re super sanitary.