If you’re looking to improve your green credentials, there’s no better place to start than your kitchen. The kitchen is often one of the most used rooms in the family home. With a steady flow of traffic and array of materials being used, it’s important to make it a more eco-friendly room the whole family will enjoy.
Here’s how to get started:
#1 – Compost your food waste. Tons of food waste is hauled to the landfill each year. And although the food itself is biodegradable when mixed in with other materials in the landfill it doesn’t degrade in the way it would if you composted the food waste. This is an easy way to start making your kitchen area a little greener. Set a large bowl or small compost container at the end of the kitchen counter and ask for food scraps to be placed inside. You can then compost this waste in your garden compost container.
#2 – Recycle. Set up a recycling system in your kitchen or utility room and get the family to pitch in. You can even make a game of reducing the amount of waste that’s hauled to the landfill. For example, if you only end up with one bag of garbage for the week then you can reward the whole family to a fun family outing. By setting goals of how much you’d like to reduce your waste, you’ll be more likely to recycle.
#3 – Use eco-friendly cleaners. There are many natural cleaning solutions which can be found right in your cupboards. Use vinegar and baking soda for most of your daily needs. Natural soap mixed with a little water can be used to clean just about anything, from countertops to floors. If you choose to buy your cleaning products instead, opt for eco-friendly cleaners which won’t harm the environment.
#4 – Use natural materials. Think about using natural materials wherever possible. If you’re remodelling your kitchen opt for wood units made from sustainable sources. You can choose eco-friendly counter tops in the form of wood, tiles, stone, concrete, recycled glass, stainless steel etc. Use similar eco-friendly options for flooring.
You can also use natural materials for your storage and cooking needs. Opt for wood chopping boards and containers to store your food in. Stainless steel is also a fantastic eco-friendly option which looks very nice too and has hygienic properties – perfect for kitchen use.
#5 – Use less energy. Invest in energy efficient appliances where possible. These not only have a lesser impact on the environment but also save you money in the long run. And think your appliances through – refrigerators with built-in ice dispensers use more energy than the standard type. Think about the size of your family too. Do you really need that huge refrigerator or stove? Or do you like it more for its cosmetic appeal?
Being eco-friendly does mean compromising in some instances but see this as a positive thing rather than a negative. The more we can all do to help the environment, the better and there’s no better time to start like the present. And no better place to start in than your own kitchen.
Tags: green kitchen