Atreyee Poddar
Yes, you can be eco-friendly without turning your life upside down. Let’s be honest—composting, DIY-ing your own oat milk, or keeping a mason jar of trash for the year isn’t for everyone. But cutting back on kitchen waste doesn’t have to be extreme or exhausting. If you love the planet but also love convenience (read: you’re lazy but trying), here’s a low-effort guide to a more sustainable kitchen.
Love your leftovers
The easiest way to reduce waste? Eat what’s already in your fridge. Leftovers often end up in the bin not because they’re bad—but because they’re boring. Reinvent them. Last night’s dal? Add a tempering, make paratha filling. Leftover pasta? Bake it with cheese and breadcrumbs.
Lazy tip: Label your leftovers with the date using washi tape or a marker on the lid. You’ll be shocked how often “I’ll eat it tomorrow” turns into “What is this fossil?”
Freeze now, thank yourself later
Your freezer is your best friend. Herbs, lemon zest, leftover coconut milk, chopped onions, bread heels—freeze it all. Even wilted spinach can be frozen for soups or smoothies.
Lazy tip: Keep a ‘scrap bag’ in your freezer for veggie peels, stems, and bits. Once it’s full, dump it into a pot and make a surprisingly good veggie broth.
Use what you’ve got (before you shop)
Before you hit the grocery store, scan your fridge and pantry. Use a ‘cook down’ day to finish what’s lying around.
Lazy tip: Google ‘[ingredient] + recipe’ that generates recipes based on what you have.
Get reusable swaps that feel fancy
Cloth napkins, silicone lids, beeswax wraps—they sound like Pinterest bait, but they make your life easier (and prettier). Once you try them, you won’t go back.
Lazy tip: Pick one thing—say, swap paper towels with reusable cloth—and stick to it. Small changes add up.
Stop overthinking the compost
No garden? No problem. Look for local community compost drop-offs, or use a countertop compost bin with compostable liners. Even chucking peels into a plant pot is better than the trash.
Lazy tip: Not ready for composting? Just reduce food scraps to begin with. Use broccoli stems in stir-fries, potato peels in crisps, and citrus peels in cleaning vinegar.
Minimal effort, maximum feel-good
You don’t have to overhaul your kitchen to make a difference. A few small, lazy-friendly shifts can still lead to a more conscious kitchen—and less guilt when the trash goes out. Being eco-aware doesn’t mean being perfect. It just means caring, even in your comfiest pyjamas.