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Are you passionate about living a green and sustainable lifestyle? Maybe you already buy organic food, seek out eco-friendly manufactured products, and make a point to recycle. While you’re being mindful about ways to live in greater harmony with the planet, don’t forget about your routines and habits in the kitchen.
While upgrading to an eco-friendly kitchen may start with checking labels at the grocery stores, that’s just the beginning. Having the foods on hand for a healthy organic diet is just the start to transforming your kitchen to promote a green lifestyle.
From a few quick fixes to some kitchen renovation upgrades, here are 7 ways you can make your kitchen eco-friendlier:
1. Reduce Food Waste
Do you make use of every bit of food you buy and cook?
Maybe you’re familiar with "Nose to Tail Eating", the philosophy of using every part of an animal, letting nothing go to waste. Even if you’re a die-hard vegan or vegetarian, you ought to be conscious about reducing food waste.
Take stock of what you buy so that you don’t over-purchase on trips to the grocery store. Also, think about ways you can use food scraps that otherwise would just turn into more trash. For example, maybe you can use lemon peels to create a homemade potpourri.
2. Choose Eco-Friendly Cleaning Supplies
Harsh chemicals may clean up messes faster, but they can also be toxic to humans and pets, especially when used on a frequent, consistent basis.
Beyond opting for more organic cleansers when at the store, think about what natural products you probably already have on your shelves that can serve as cleaning agents. For example, baking soda and white vinegar are often effective in cleaning stains while also being better for the environment.
3. Add Plants to Your Kitchen Design
Here’s a no-brainer: get more houseplants for your kitchen.
Not only will plants add a pleasant aesthetic touch to your kitchen décor, they’re also a wonderfully natural way to help purify the air. Even if you have a busy routine, you can find some hearty low-maintenance plants. Ideally you want 3-4 plants per room to help keep the air fresh.
4. Set Up to Recycle More
You probably already recycle…. but do you appropriately recycle all of your disposables?
One of the easiest ways to make sure you recycle everything you can is to set-up designated bins in your kitchen for each category. Check the recycling guidelines in your area, and set up multiple receptacles so you can easily separate paper from plastic, etc.
5. Try Composting
Did you know, according to the EPA almost 30% of trash in the U.S. is food scraps and yard waste?
These are put to better use by being composted. Not only does it keep such waste out of overflowing landfills, but it supports better gardening. You might be able to construct your own small scale composting or find a composter.
6. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances
While there is some sense in holding on to appliances for as long as possible, rather than contribute to ever-growing landfills, there’s also a benefit to investing in newer appliances that use less energy.
For example, new energy-efficient ovens will pre-heat quicker, saving time, money, and the environment.
7. Plan to Re-Use More Than You Throw Out
Instead of endless rolls of paper towels, switch to cloth towels that can be cleaned and reused. Instead of one-and-done plastic baggies, store your food in reusable containers. Instead of the false alternative of paper or plastic, bring your own bags to the grocery store.
You may need to reconfigure your storage options so you have a place for all your reusables, but in the long run it will be worth it.
If you want to explore more storage possibilities for your kitchen by upgrading your kitchen cabinetry, you can reach out to our team of Kitchen Designers here at RTA Wood Cabinets for a FREE kitchen design! Just give us a call at: 800-788-7575.