Best eco-friendly meal kit delivery services for sustainable living
Unpack the savings, not the plastic. We researched the meal kit delivery services that cut down on waste—here are the brands doing sustainability right.
Rachel Cortez
- Meal kit delivery services are addressing environmental concerns by focusing on sustainable packaging and sourcing.
- Key factors for a sustainable meal kit include recyclable materials, ethical ingredient sourcing, and food waste reduction.
- Companies like Green Chef and Thrive Market are offsetting their carbon emissions and plastic use.
- Services such as Misfits Market reduce food waste by rescuing "imperfect" or surplus produce.
If you’ve ever tried a meal kit delivery service, you know the experience can be a mixed bag. You excitedly receive a box full of fresh ingredients, easy recipes and a whole lot of packaging. Between oversized ice packs, insulated liners and what feels like 500 tiny plastic bags for every single clove of garlic, it’s easy to finish unboxing and wonder, "Is this even sustainable?"
Many shoppers are asking the same questions: Are meal kits bad for the environment? How much of this packaging is actually recyclable? And are there eco‑friendly meal kit services that use less waste?
The team at USA TODAY Shopping wanted to find answers. After digging into the meal kit industry to see who is actually doing it right, we've learned that many brands like Sunbasket, Green Chef and Gardencup are finally taking eco‑friendly packaging and waste reduction seriously. Many are prioritizing sustainably-sourced ingredients, responsible packaging and waste reduction to make it easier for consumers to go green.
Here are our top picks for meal kit services that deliver on flavor without the environmental guilt.
- What makes a meal kit sustainable?
- Best sustainable meal kits and grocery deliveries for eco‑conscious home cooks
- Tips for making any meal kit more eco‑friendly
What makes a meal kit sustainable?
To classify a meal kit or grocery delivery service as sustainable, we consider several key factors. Here are the top priorities we kept in mind:
Packaging and Materials: We prioritize brands that move away from single-use plastics and non-recyclable silver liners in favor of curbside-recyclable, compostable, or reusable materials. It isn't just about the box; we look for minimal packaging that avoids "over-boxing" and includes clear instructions on how to properly dispose of everything from the insulation to the ice packs.
Ingredient Sourcing: Our top picks focus on ethical sourcing, prioritizing USDA-certified organic produce, non-GMO ingredients, and humanely raised proteins. By partnering with local or regional suppliers, these companies also help cut down on transportation emissions while supporting fair-trade practices across their entire supply chain.
Food Waste Reduction: One of the biggest perks of these services is the use of precise, pre-portioned ingredients that help eliminate food waste in your own kitchen. Many of our favorites even go a step further by rescuing "imperfect" or surplus produce that might otherwise be thrown out, ensuring that perfectly good food doesn't end up in a landfill.
Operations and Shipping: We favor companies that take full accountability for their logistics by implementing carbon-neutral shipping or 100% carbon offset programs. We also look for services that offer consolidated shipments, which reduce the environmental footprint compared to receiving multiple grocery deliveries throughout the week.
Best sustainable meal kits and grocery deliveries for eco‑conscious home cooks
Whether you're looking for a full week of pre-portioned dinners or just need to restock your pantry with eco-conscious staples, we've rounded up the best options for your kitchen. Here are our top-rated sustainable meal kits and grocery delivery services to help you find the perfect fit for your household.
1. Green Chef
- Current promotions: New customers can score 50% off on their first box + 20% off for two months.
- Sustainable impacts and features: Green Chef is a standout for being the first USDA-certified organic meal kit delivery service. They are currently the only service that offsets 100% of its carbon emissions and plastic use in every box. While some plastic film is used for freshness, most packaging—including the plant-based insulation—is curbside recyclable. By providing exact portions, they also help you reduce home food waste by up to 45% compared to traditional grocery shopping.
2. Garden Cup
- Current promotions: For a limited time only, save 20% on your first two orders from Gardencup when you use promo code SOGOOD20 at checkout.
- Sustainable impacts and features: Gardencup uses a circular sustainability model centered on its cupcycle program. Each meal comes in a BPA-free, #1 PET plastic jar that is 100% curbside recyclable, though the brand encourages reusing or returning them for professional cleaning. The shipping system utilizes recyclable cardboard, thermal liners and drain-safe ice packs. By using pre-portioned ingredients and sourcing produce close to harvest, they effectively reduce household food waste by up to 45%.
3. Sunbasket
- Current promotions: New customers can score $90 off across their first four boxes and free shipping.
- Sustainable impacts and features: Sunbasket is highly rated for its clean sourcing, with 99% of its produce being USDA-certified organic. They use sustainably caught seafood and antibiotic-free proteins, while their unique packaging features reclaimed denim or paper insulation that is almost entirely recyclable or compostable. Like other top kits, their precise portioning helps households reduce food waste by roughly 33% compared to traditional grocery shopping.
4. Purple Carrot
- Current promotions: For a limited time only, you can save $100 off your first four boxes when you order from Purple Carrot.
- Sustainable impacts and features: Purple Carrot is a top choice because it is 100% plant-based and has a lower carbon footprint than meat-heavy services. Their packaging is mostly curbside-recyclable, using plant-based fiber liners and non-toxic ice packs. By providing exact portions and sourcing organic or non-GMO staples, they help households cut food waste by nearly 45%.
5. Misfits Market
- Current promotions: For a limited time, new customers can score up to 30% off their first order—that's up to a $30 savings and discount will be automatically applied at checkout.
- Sustainable impacts and features: Misfits Market is a leader in food rescue, saving roughly 500,000 pounds of food weekly that would otherwise be tossed for minor "ugly" imperfections or surplus. They are unique for their packaging return program, allowing customers to send back gel packs and liners for reuse. By rescuing produce and using recycled fiber boxes, they help prevent the significant methane emissions caused by food rotting in landfills.
6. Hungryroot
- Current promotions: For a limited time, you can score 30% off and a free gift with every delivery for life.
- Sustainable impacts and features: Hungryroot is a "grocery-meets-meal-kit" service that significantly reduces food waste by using pre-portioned ingredients for simple, multi-use recipes. Hungryroot uses 100% curbside recyclable boxes and Sustain-A-Print non-toxic ice packs that can be drained and recycled. By prioritizing sustainably sourced proteins and local produce, they minimize their supply chain footprint while helping households reduce "fridge rot" through smart, automated meal planning.
7. Thrive Market
- Current promotions: Try Thrive Market and kickstart your savings on your first order with 30% off and a free $60 gift.
- Sustainable impacts and features: Thrive Market is a Certified B Corp that operates with a carbon-neutral footprint. They have achieved TRUE Zero Waste certification across all fulfillment centers and are Plastic Neutral, offsetting every pound of plastic used. By prioritizing regenerative agriculture and 90% organic or non-GMO products, they ensure their entire catalog supports a healthier planet.
Tips for making any meal kit more eco‑friendly
Adopting a more sustainable lifestyle doesn't require a total overhaul of your daily routine. Often, the most impactful changes start with small, manageable shifts in how we handle our food and household waste. By making a few intentional choices each week, you can significantly reduce your environmental footprint without sacrificing convenience.
- Give containers a second life: Instead of reaching for single-use plastic, wash and reuse glass jars or sturdy plastic containers for meal prepping, storing leftovers or packing your lunch for the office.
- Master your recycling: Take a moment to properly break down cardboard boxes and rinse out plastic liners. If you aren't sure what your local curbside program accepts, check your city’s official sanitation website or a "Where to Recycle" database to ensure your waste ends up in the right place.
- Consolidate your deliveries: To help reduce transportation emissions, try to batch your grocery orders or opt for fewer delivery days per month whenever possible.
- Get creative with leftovers: Before tossing unused portions, think about how they can be repurposed. You can easily freeze extra servings for a busy night, or toss wilting greens into a smoothie or soup, which can go a long way in cutting down food waste.
- Balance your weekly menu: You don't have to rely on a delivery service every single night. Try a hybrid approach by combining a couple of meal kit nights with simple pantry-based dinners and one dedicated "use-up-the-fridge" night to clear out your inventory.
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