Developing a more Eco-friendly kitchen is a wonderful way to show some respect for Mother Nature and where your food comes from. Here are five ways to get started on the greener path:
Update appliances
Eco-friendly trends in kitchen appliances are something to watch out for. New lines of major appliances emphasize efficiency in major ways - just look for the EnergyStar rating. Other appliances pay attention to details, such as efficient LED lighting within.
Choosing greener versions of smaller items such as coffee makers, blenders, mixers, and other tools is a another great idea. Upgrading all your every day appliances may be cost-prohibitive, but rewarding yourself with a luxurious and eco-friendly version of your favorites may well make a significant difference in both appearance and the food or drinks produced, as well as in energy consumption and carbon footprint.
Something sharp
A proper knife or set of knives is valuable for any cook, but anyone with environmental consciousness in mind may understand the efficiencies of having proper knives. Not only do these allow you to make the most out of any vegetable, meat, poultry, or seafood you are cutting up, they reduce waste as well.
Get festive
Aprons, place mats, tablecloths, fancy serving pieces, high-end wine glasses, and other kitchen accessories can be both practical, attractive and more environmentally friendly than using disposable items. Also invest is a set of reusable grocery bags to further curb the amount of paper or plastic you're sending to the landfill. As a rule of thumb, if you would throw it away after one use, find a greener kitchen alternative.
Add flavor and get exotic
Premium spices or condiments are something that makes almost every dish more interesting - which can cut down on takeout and premade foods as well as waste. Plenty of online retailers ship a wide variety of herbs, spices, and other shelf-stable condiments around the world, so you easily can find something amazing and unusual that you and your family will enjoy for the rest of the year, if not longer. High-quality coffee and tea also make excellent options for replacing your daily brew with its paper or Styrofoam cup - don't forget the reusable filter!
What To avoid
Avoid single-use tools or appliances in general, unless you know for sure that you'll use that particular item often. After all, there is limited room for storage in your kitchen and you may not want to take up valuable space with a one-use item. There's also limited room in landfills, and we can conserve it by not buying items that aren't essential.
For example, a pepper mill might be nothing more than a novelty item in some households, which will use it for a few days then go back to cans of black pepper. In other kitchens, though, freshly ground pepper is one of those affordable indulgences that add a tasty touch at every meal.
Greening the kitchen can be a relatively simple project - and knowledge of the latest products and tools makes this fairly easy thing to shop for. In general, ask yourself, Will I still use this tomorrow or next week?" If the answer is no, look for an alternative.
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