As well as promoting sustainability and minimising environmental impact, eco-friendly kitchens can also be incredibly stylish and cost-efficient. Green kitchens are not only for the planet-conscious, but for anyone who wants to reduce their cost of living by leading a more energy efficient lifestyle. Here are some top tips on how to increase your ecological footprint and make your kitchen as green as possible.
Green appliances
While no kitchen appliances can be 100 per cent green, some are definitely more eco-friendly than others. Many kitchen appliances are incredibly expensive to run and waste a large amount of energy, so it’s important that you choose sustainable products that are designed to have minimal environmental damage, for example:
Induction cookers - While typical electric or gas cookers heat the air underneath the pan, induction cookers allow for the heat to be transferred directly to the pan, reducing the amount of heat wasted. The heat is generated quickly and can be adjusted, improving energy efficiency whilst you are cooking.
Washing machines - You can now buy washing machines and dishwashers that allow you to adjust the amount of water, time and electricity needed to suit the specific load. Short wash cycles that use a lower temperature will significantly reduce unnecessary hot water waste.
Fridges - Fridges with high energy star ratings are now more available than ever, boasting low energy consumption levels and better insulation. These types of fridges don’t have to work as hard to cool your food, meaning that they emit less greenhouse gases and can effectively reduce your carbon footprint.
Remember that even if you spend a little more money now, these types of appliances are incredibly durable, meaning that you won’t have to update a few years down the line, saving both the planet’s resources and your pocket. You can also use a standby saver that allows you to switch off your appliances when not in use to further save energy.
Sustainable materials
When choosing cabinets and worktops for your kitchen, you should always do your research when it comes to checking the environmental impact of the manufacturing process.
You should look for a manufacturer who uses timber that is logged from sustainable sources and is FSC certified. It is also worth checking to make sure that the materials have been harvested legally, have been produced under proper environmental practices and use natural finishing products.
To ensure that you are doing your best to stay green, try to purchase your fittings from reputable kitchen providers with eco-friendly policies, like deTerra Kitchens. Here you can chose from sustainable materials in a variety of styles and designs to suit your personal tastes.
Recycling
Before you buy, you may also want to look for cabinets, worktops and flooring that is second hand. You can also find some appliances, such as fridges, that are manufactured from recyclable plastics. Not only is this option more affordable and can give your kitchen a vintage look that is unique to your home, but it significantly reduces the amount of waste that is sent to landfill.
Recycling is key when it comes to saving the planet, but it can also be time-consuming. Rather than having a multitude of bins to separate your recyclable waste, you can now buy convenient recycling stations that separate your metals, plastics and compost in one handy container.
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