Expert Recs: 11 Kitchen and Home Essentials That Are Kind to the Planet

Founded in 2014, Thrive Market is on a mission to bring your favorite health food store products directly to you. The membership-based program starts at $5 per month, a fee that most users say is well worth it for the massive catalog of pantry staples, beauty, cleaning products, and even wine options they offer. We asked Nick Green, the CEO and one of the cofounders of Thrive Market, to share his top pantry and kitchen items that his family loves, and are kind on the environment, too.

Kitchen Tools That Are Worth the Price Tag

"This compact-yet-powerful Nutribullet is an everyday essential for me; I’ve used it for years to make protein-packed smoothies, but you could even use it for homemade nut milks. The cups and lids are also dishwasher safe, which makes it super easy to clean."

"This is a new-to-me tool that I have yet to master. It’s like a second pair of hands in the kitchen—there are so many functions and options to learn (including a sous-vide method, a kneading dough mixer, a fermentor, and more). It’s been fun learning how to use all of its functionalities!"

What You’ll Need to Start a Sustainable Pantry

"Summer has officially started in Southern California, and since I’m a big tea drinker, I love making sun teas with our regeneratively-grown Nepali Green Pearl loose leaf tea and these reusable tea bags."

"This plastic-free brush is amazing—one end of the brush is rough and the other is softer for different types of veggies, and it’s compostable once it wears out."

"This tiny-sized brush is beloved by our eldest; she’s in her ‘helping’ phase, so it’s perfect for lending an extra hand in the kitchen."

"Made from 100% certified organic Koroneiki olives, our extra virgin olive oil is grown, harvested, and bottled on a single estate in western Crete. This is always in our autoship order."

Earth-Friendly Snacking

"When the pandemic hit and movie theaters went dark, family farms across the U.S. were left with an overwhelming surplus of kernels grown for the country’s best theaters. Instead of letting them go to waste, we at Thrive Market bought some of that excess so you can pop movie theater–style corn fresh at home. Fighting food waste never tasted so good!"

For Summer Outings

"We’re so lucky to live close to the beach, and this lightweight-yet-durable cooler keeps all our kids’ drinks and snacks cold during those long days in the California sun."

"You can feel good about giving your kids these sweet treats: it’s free of preservatives and added sugar, too! These convenient pouches are squeezable, resealable, and a family favorite."

Home Goods That Are Kind on the Planet

"This candle smells like baked apple strudel and reminds me of where I was born and raised in the North Star State."

"These dining table napkins are super soft and fluffy. We always have them in our pantry for family dinners."

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More Expert Recs:

How to Cultivate an Indoor Oasis, According to the Duo Behind a Beloved Plant Shop

How to Get the Perfect Morning Brew, According to a Coffee Expert