6 Kitchen Gadgets That Save Energy and Reduce Waste

Chew on this: American kitchens devour up to 15 percent of a household's energy, and we trash about $165 billion worth of food per year. These kitchen accessories will help trim your waste down to size.

By Chelsea Leu

February 12, 2015

ECOTONIX's Green Cycler cranks banana peels, onion skins, and other scraps into a fertile mulch that composts up to 10 times faster than unshredded food.

Composting repurposes tons of food that would have been doomed to emit methane in landfills. Using good old-fashioned elbow grease, ECOTONIX's Green Cycler cranks banana peels, onion skins, and other scraps into a fertile mulch that composts up to 10 times faster than unshredded food. It's non-smelly, thanks to odor-neutralizing filters, and a slide-out drawer makes it easy to carry the nutritious stuff straight to your backyard heap. $100

KISHU CHARCOAL's water filters, made from carbonized oak branches, trap tap water's toxins naturally--and all you have to do is drop one into a pitcher.

Typical water filters are plastic and need replacing every few months. KISHU CHARCOAL's water filters, made from carbonized oak branches, trap tap water's toxins naturally—all you have to do is drop one into a pitcher. When its filtering days are done, use the charcoal stick to deodorize your fridge or to retain water in gardens and potted plants. Everything, including the packaging, is sustainably sourced and biodegradable. $15 for a pitcher-size stick

Photo by Lori Eanes

. The MASTRAD Purefizz soda maker infuses bubbles into all kinds of beverages, from water to fruit juice to liquor.

We don't like carbon dioxide rising in the atmosphere, but we're fans of it in our drinks. MASTRAD's Purefizz soda maker infuses bubbles into all kinds of beverages, from water to fruit juice to liquor. Its steel carbonators are recyclable, and its carafe is sleek. The best part: You'll never need to buy plastic bottles or aluminum cans for your fizzy fix. $80

Photo by Lori Eanes

The compact Nomad espresso machine from UNITERRA needs only coffee grounds, hot water, and a push to produce barista-quality espresso--anywhere.

The compact Nomad espresso machine from UNITERRA needs only coffee grounds, hot water, and a push to produce barista-quality espresso—anywhere. A hand-operated lever exerts the necessary pressure, negating any need for electrical cords. It's great for camping trips, the office, or anywhere you need a pick-me-up. $245

ESCO's Snackmaster Encore dehydrator uses low-temperature drying to lock in nutrients, or you can turn up the heat to kill bacteria in meat.

Fruits and vegetables comprise a fifth of the food U.S. homes and restaurants throw away. Extend the life of your produce by dehydrating it, a process that's faster and more convenient than canning or sun-drying. NESCO's Snackmaster Encore dehydrator uses low-temperature drying to lock in nutrients, or you can turn up the heat to kill bacteria in meat. Personalize your backpacking meals or use it to make a killer trail mix. $77

Photo by Lori Eanes

Forget the tinfoil-lined shoebox. GOSUN’s Sport solar cooker readies meals for four within 20 minutes, via a vacuum-insulated tube and curved aluminum sheets that capture the sun’s energy.

Forget the tinfoil-lined shoebox. GOSUN’s Sport solar cooker readies meals for four within 20 minutes, via a vacuum-insulated tube and curved aluminum sheets that capture the sun’s energy. It’s fuel-free, emission-free, and easy to use. Though the stove shines outdoors, you can also park it inside, on a sunny windowsill, to heat up breakfast. GoSun is also working on a model for developing regions. $269

Photo by Lori Eanes