Kitchen and pantry swaps

This article was contributed by Sustainable Choice Group.

From brands sharing their sustainability data on Sustainability Tracker

Trying to make better choices in your kitchen usually starts the same way.

You’re replacing something you already use.
Cling wrap. Cleaning spray. Bin liners.

You look for a “better” option… and quickly realise it’s not that simple.

Most products sound similar. Most packaging says just enough to feel convincing. Very few make it easy to understand what’s actually different.

That’s where this list comes in.

These are kitchen, pantry and cleaning cupboard swaps from brands on Sustainability Tracker with a focus on what they offer, and who they’re a good fit for.

Urban Ethos: simple swaps across multiple products

Urban Ethos focuses on products people already use daily, with the aim of helping reduce waste and rethink common household items.

On Sustainability Tracker, this shows up in products like its Food+Store Container, which combines a glass base with a lid made from 100% recycled plastic, along with recyclable packaging.

Urban Ethos is less about one hero product and more about covering the everyday basics.

Think: food storage, cleaning, paper goods and household essentials.

What makes it useful is how Urban Ethos groups together different product lines that replace things you already buy.

Food storage and kitchen basics

If your biggest frustration is plastic food storage: try SugarWrap or 4MyEarth

SugarWrap: for convenience without changing your habits

SugarWrap produces food storage products made using sugarcane-derived BIO-PE. These products keep the same format most people are used to (freezer bags, zip bags) but use sugarcane-based material instead of conventional plastic.

This suits you if:

• you want a low-effort swap
• your household relies on freezer bags and quick storage
• you’re not ready to move to fully reusable systems

4MyEarth: reusable, longterm wraps and storage

4MyEarth focuses on reusable alternatives to single-use wrap and bags.

Its product range includes:

• food wraps
• produce bags
• sandwich and snack bags
• bread bags

These products are designed to be machine washable and suitable for fridge and freezer use. For many households, this is one of the most direct swaps away from disposable kitchen materials.

This suits you if:

• you’re trying to reduce repeat purchases
• you’re happy to wash and reuse
• you pack lunches regularly

If cleaning products are your focus for kitchen swaps

Enzyme Wizard: enzyme-based cleaning

Enzyme Wizard produces plant-based enzyme cleaners designed as alternatives to traditional chemical cleaners.

Its Sustainability Tracker profile notes:

• pH-neutral formulations
• biodegradable ingredients
• breakdown into water and CO₂

Best fit if:

• you’re sensitive to strong cleaning products
• you want alternatives to conventional chemical formulas
• you’re dealing with things like drains, organic build-up or odours

Eco Turtles: refillable and reusable cleaning formats

Eco Turtles offers cleaning products built around reusable bottles and reduced single-use packaging.

Its Sustainability Tracker profile highlights:

• refillable systems
• biodegradable sponges
• natural ingredient formulations

For the kitchen, this applies to everyday cleaning of benches, sinks and surfaces.

Best fit if:

• you want to cut down on disposable cleaning items
• you like refill systems
• you’re building a more reusable setup over time

Koh: a refill-based cleaning system

Koh focuses on a system of reusable bottles paired with refill products.

This brand covers most kitchen cleaning needs within one system. They offer a universal cleaner, dishwashing liquid, dishwashing tablets, bathroom and shower cleaner, kitchen grease cleaner and more.

Best fit if:

• you want one brand to handle most of your cleaning
• you prefer a streamlined setup
• you don’t want to mix and match multiple products

If you’re rethinking everyday paper goods and household staples in your kitchen swap

These are products you buy regularly, so even small changes can feel meaningful.

Bamper: for a straightforward material swap

Bamper uses bamboo as an alternative fibre source for toilet paper and tissues.

Best fit if: you want a simple swap without changing how you use the product

Who Gives A Crap: Combines product choices with a donation model

Who Gives A Crap commits 50% of profits to water and sanitation projects. They also offer both traditional and bamboo paper products as well as compostable dream cloths and even 100% recycled doggy poo bags and garbage bags.

Best fit if:

• you care about where profits go
• you want your purchase to support a specific outcome
• you’re choosing based on both product and brand model

A more useful way to think about “better” kitchen swaps

There is no single “right” product for every kitchen.

What matters more is:

• what you use most often
• what you are ready to change
• what information you want access to before you buy

Some people start with cleaning. Others start with food storage. And others start with what they consume every day.

Sustainability Tracker gives you a clearer view of what sits behind each brand so you can decide what works for you.

Start browsing household items on Sustainability Tracker.