5 Ways You can Go Green in the Kitchen

Thursday, December 24th, 2009 at 9:43 pm

Going green normally begins with eco-friendly eating, but it certainly doesn’t stop there. From sustainable materials to energy-efficient appliances, there are a hundred and one ways to make your space truly healthy and truly green (which incidentally is also good for your budget). Here are just a few of them.

Energy-Efficient Appliances
According to Energy Star, Americans saved enough energy in 2008 to equal the gas emissions of 29 million cars by simply using Energy Star-rated appliances; that equates to nearly $19 billion saved on utility bills. Want to join in the savings? When your run down appliance has indeed run its course (and it doesn’t simply need a repair), search for energy-efficient appliances with the Energy Star rating, found on most kitchen appliances including refrigerators, dishwashers, stoves and freezers.

Try to Buy Fresh
Not only does fresh food taste better, it is much better for the environment and your wallet. Packaged, frozen foods are frequently packaged just that way to ensure there’s no loss in the taste or quality of the food. So why not just skip the frozen food and opt for the fresh? It’s less packaging, better for you and most of the time involves fewer environmentally-damaging processes to get to your local grocer.

Try to use Sustianable Materials
When it comes to counter-tops and the kitchen sink, there are a wide variety of attractive yet sustainable products to choose from. For instance, stoneware or recycled copper sinks (think these Blanco sinks) are eco-friendly and trendy. When it comes to counter-tops, you can find everything you need from recycled glass to sustainable wood, there’s an eco-friendly option that fits every budget and style.

Green Cleaners
There seems to be a wide misconception that a truly green kitchen isn’t a clean one. But you don’t have to use toxic, hard chemicals to get the level of sparkle and clean you want. Look for cleaners that are biodegradable and plant-based detergents or you can create your own using general household items such as vinegar, lemon and baking soda.

“Waste Not, Want Not”
When it comes to the kitchen, that old cliché most certainly rings true. In fact, from leftovers to food packaging, the kitchen typically generates the most waste of any room in the house. As such, be aware of the things you purchase and their packaging. Reuse your own glass jars as durable packaging and use your own reusable bags when shopping. Most importantly, if you frequently throw out food, then you are purchasing and cooking too much! Reduce your waste and save money by buying food only for the upcoming week.

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