10 Tips on How to Green Your Kitchen
In my continuing effort to find ways to go green, I came upon a website, Treehugger, that gives tips and ideas for going green in each area of your life. The first one that caught my attention was how to “green your kitchen.” They give 10 tips on how to do this, and I think that if each person would take 1 or 2 of these ideas and then build from there, each of us can make a difference in protecting the Earth.
Make it Last – The first thing suggested is to “ditch the Teflon.” Not only are there possible health concerns associated with using pans coated with Teflon, they really don’t stand the test of time. Next time you need to replace a pan, go with stainless or cast-iron.
Energy Smackdown: Gas vs. Electric – There are energy efficient versions of both types of stoves and in the end, you need to choose what will work best for your budget and lifestyle, then choose the most energy efficient version of that stove.
First, Love Your Appliances – Before rushing out to buy a new appliance, make sure that a repair isn’t needed to make it work properly and efficiently. If indeed it is time to replace it, check with your community to find out if they have a program for properly disposing of old appliances. Be sure to look for Energy Star ratings on your new appliances.
Energy Efficient Cooking – Be sure to put the appropriate sized pot or pan on the burners on your stove-top. If your pan is too small, you could be wasting up to 40% of the burner’s heat. Also look for alternative ways of cooking such as pressure cookers, toaster ovens for small dishes and microwaves.
Do It Yourself – Stop purchasing prepared foods, and begin making them at home. Many dishes can be made and then frozen for use later on and an added bonus is you will know exactly what’s in the dish and will be able to pronounce each ingredient. Also, use vinegar and baking soda to clean your counters and hand wash your dishes.
Buy Local – We’ve all been spoiled by having strawberries available all winter long, but the distance they must travel to get to our local grocery store adds up to an incredible amount of energy used to get them there. Buying local means buying what’s in season for your geographical area, and it supports your local economy by purchasing from farmers who live where you do.
Bulk Up – Purchase items in bulk to reduce the amount of packaging required and the number of trips to the store. However, only buy in bulk when it makes sense and you know you will use the items otherwise you will end up wasting more than you use.
Waste Not, Want Not – Purchase products with the least amount of packaging possible. Take note of whether you are tossing out a lot of food at the end of the week: you may be purchasing too much or cooking too much. Reuse whatever you can, such as glass jars and grocery bags.
Green Kitchens Can Be Clean Kitchens – Look into purchasing natural cleaning products rather than the chemical-laden products that cover the shelves at your local stores. Even better, make your own!
Remodeling? Recycle – Look into salvage and antiques when remodeling. There are plenty of green options when it comes to countertops and appliances. If you aren’t able to reuse anything in your kitchen for your remodel, offer them up on Freecycle or Craigslist so that they can be given new life by someone else.
For more information on how to Green Your Life, visit Treehugger.
Photo courtesy Wikipedia.
