The ethical kitchen, drawer by drawer
Food waste, film plastic and non-stick coatings are the three kitchen hotspots. Here is what scores best on each.
Food waste
Roughly a third of household food is binned — the highest-carbon kitchen loss by far.
Non-stick
Traditional PTFE coatings are PFAS; ceramic, steel and cast iron avoid them.
Film and bags
Cling film and freezer bags are effectively unrecyclable at kerbside.
TL;DR
Top pick for the kitchen: The Reusable Paper Towels (24-Sheet Pack) by Marley's Monsters (96/100 ethics). Also strong: The Reusable Coffee Filter, Regenerative Organic Certified Toasted Whole Grain Oats, Organic Ethically Sourced Coffee - Honduras Medium Roast.
Your kitchen checklist
- Plan two meals around what is already open before shopping.
- Move to PFAS-free pans as existing ones wear out — not before.
- Keep a countertop caddy so composting is the path of least resistance.
Top-scoring picks for this room
- 1
ExcellentB Corp1% for the Planet4.9 (850)A woman-owned, small-batch textile brand from Oregon producing 'UNpaper' towels that eliminate single-use kitchen waste. These are handmade from 100% cotton flannel with high transparency.
- 2
ExcellentGOTS1% for the Planet4.8 (4,200)A family-owned, sustainably made organic cotton alternative to disposable paper filters, handcrafted in Austin, Texas.
- 3
ExcellentUSDA OrganicRegenerative OrganicFair TradeVegan+2 more4.8 (420)A gold-standard example of regenerative agriculture, these oats go beyond organic by actively restoring soil health and ensuring fair wages for farmers in a vertically integrated supply chain.
- 4
ExcellentUSDA OrganicB CorpRegenerative Organic4.9 (1,240)A 100% farmer-owned coffee cooperative that bypasses traditional middlemen to ensure maximum profits return to the growers.
- 5
ExcellentVeganCradle to CradleFSC Certified4.8 (340)An innovative, mushroom-based countertop composting solution that arrives as a 'living' kit, allowing you to grow your own bin from mycelium and agricultural waste.
- 6
ExcellentFair TradeUSDA OrganicRegenerative Organic4.9 (8,500)A pioneer in fair trade, Equal Exchange offers bird-friendly, organic coffee that directly supports small-scale farmer cooperatives globally.
- 7
ExcellentRegenerative OrganicFair TradeB CorpVegan+1 more4.8 (850)A gold standard in ethical confectionery, using regenerative farming to combat climate change while ensuring living wages for cocoa farmers.
- 8
ExcellentUSDA OrganicFair TradeB CorpRegenerative Organic4.9 (850)A 100% farmer-owned cooperative coffee brand that bypasses middlemen to ensure maximum profits return to the growers.
- 9
ExcellentCradle to CradleB CorpLeaping BunnyEPA Safer Choice+1 more4.7 (12,450)An innovative, plastic-free cleaning system utilizing effervescent tablets and reusable glass-and-silicone bottles to eliminate single-use waste.
- 10
ExcellentFair TradeUSDA OrganicKosherB Corp4.8 (450)A French pioneer in organic fair-trade chocolate, Kaoka builds long-term partnerships with smallholder cooperatives to produce high-end, Kosher-certified dark chocolate.
- 11
ExcellentUSDA OrganicFair TradeB CorpRegenerative Organic4.8 (1,240)Pachamama is a unique 100% farmer-owned cooperative that bridges the gap between small-scale producers and consumers, ensuring maximum profit remains in origin communities.
- 12
ExcellentUSDA OrganicFair TradeB CorpPETA Approved+1 more4.8 (1,250)A pioneer in climate-focused roasting, Dean's Beans offers a rich, medium-roast coffee that prioritizes farmer equity and reforestation over corporate profit.
- 13
ExcellentUSDA OrganicFair TradeRegenerative OrganicVegan+2 more4.8 (18,200)An industry leader in radical transparency, this fair-trade coconut oil supports smallholder farmers in Sri Lanka while funding global social activism.
- 14
ExcellentB Corp1% for the PlanetWomen-Owned4.8 (850)A plastic-free, ocean-friendly lunch container made from high-quality stainless steel and food-grade silicone, designed to eliminate single-use waste.
- 15
ExcellentEWG VerifiedLeaping BunnyEcologoVegan4.6 (845)A zero-plastic, non-toxic laundry alternative from a woman-founded company, specifically formulated for sensitive skin and high-efficiency machines.
- 16
ExcellentB Corp1% for the PlanetUSDA Organic4.8 (850)A zero-waste alternative to plastic straws, handcrafted from single-piece organic bamboo by a certified B Corp committed to fair labor.
- 17
ExcellentB CorpRegenerative Organic1% for the PlanetClimate Neutral4.7 (840)An industry-leading snack focused on ocean regeneration, utilizing invasive-resistant kelp farming to sequester carbon while providing a nutrient-dense alternative to potato chips.
- 18
ExcellentFair TradeUSDA OrganicVegan4.8 (310)A flagship Fair Trade product from Europe's largest ethical trading house, providing a premium, socially responsible tea experience at a budget-friendly price point.
- 19
ExcellentFair TradeVegan4.9 (142)An artisanal floor care solution handcrafted in Bolgatanga, Ghana, featuring naturally antimicrobial vetiver root for deep cleaning and holistic aromatherapy.
- 20
ExcellentB CorpFair TradeUSDA OrganicLeaping Bunny+1 more4.9 (24,500)The gold standard for multi-purpose ethical cleaning, featuring organic oils and fair trade sourcing in a post-consumer recycled bottle.
- 21
ExcellentB CorpFair TradeUSDA OrganicLeaping Bunny+2 more4.8 (24,500)The gold standard for multi-purpose ethical cleaning, this concentrated soap is built on fair trade principles and regenerative agriculture.
- 22
ExcellentB CorpFair TradeUSDA OrganicLeaping Bunny+2 more4.8 (24,500)The gold standard of ethical cleaning. Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Castile Soap is a versatile, concentrated liquid soap made with organic oils and fair trade ingredients.
- 23ExcellentB CorpFair TradeUSDA OrganicLeaping Bunny+2 more4.8 (22,000)
The gold standard for multi-purpose ethical cleaning, this concentrated soap is made with organic oils and fair trade ingredients suitable for 18 different household and personal uses.
- 24
ExcellentRegenerative OrganicFair TradeUSDA OrganicNon-GMO+2 more4.8 (12,450)The gold standard for ethical food production, this coconut oil uses regenerative organic practices and fair trade labor to set a benchmark for corporate responsibility.
Categories in this room
Frequently asked questions
Should I throw out my non-stick pans?+
No. Replacing working cookware creates waste; swap as pans wear out and choose PFAS-free then.
Does composting really matter?+
Yes — food in landfill produces methane. Composting the same scraps avoids that almost entirely.