Tips for Eco Kitchens that are Environmentally Friendly and Ready to be Put to Use!
An eco kitchen, short for an “ecologically-friendly kitchen” or “environmentally-friendly kitchen,” is a kitchen designed and operated with a strong emphasis on sustainability, conservation, and eco-friendliness. The goal of an eco kitchen is to minimize its environmental impact, reduce waste, conserve resources, and promote healthier living for both individuals and the planet.
10 Tips for Green Eco Kitchens
It’s no secret that our natural environment is affected by our individual choices. While we may think that saving the plant is too big of a job to tackle alone, there are many things that, when done collectively, can have a huge impact on the world we leave for our children and grandchildren.
We can start with the room in our house that produces the most waste: the kitchen. Read on to find out ways to reduce your carbon footprint on the environment, while also reaping the rewards of a healthier lifestyle and more money back in your pocket.
#1. Buy from your local farmer’s market, fresh or organic or grow you own.
This supports local farmers, reduces the carbon footprint associated with food transportation, and encourages healthier eating habits.
• Support your local farmer’s markets and help the environment at the same time! By buying local, you will be supporting regional farms and reducing carbon emissions from food transportation. Some foods must travel a long way to make it to your dinner table. If we buy local, we can reduce many of the carbon emissions from the trucks and also much of the expense. Always buy local whenever possible.
• Learn to grow some of your own vegetables. This is a great way to teach children about how our food is produced and where it comes from. Growing your own vegetables is easy and very rewarding.
• By eating fresh, organic and whole foods, rather than processed, you will be keeping your body free from unwanted pesticides, MSG and other neurotoxins, which can have long term effects on the nervous system. When buying produce, look for the number stickers on fruit; if it begins with a “9”, it’s organic and pesticide-free.
Good Read: Reasons to Shop Your Local Farmer’s Market
#2. Eat less red meat.
While there are many health and ethical reasons for eating less meat or going completely vegan, reducing your red meat intake also provides considerable benefits to the environment.
The cattle industry is responsible for polluting our water, air and soil in various ways. Livestock manure is a source of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Methane gas, released through cattle belch, also has negative effects as it traps heat in our atmosphere.
Cutting down on red meat doesn’t mean eliminating it completely from your diet. Try using red meat as an accent, rather than the main attraction of a meal. This is much healthier way to eat and a win-win for humans, animals and the planet we live on. Use it in stir fries, casseroles, and sandwiches or wraps. Experiment with meatless entrees using beans, quinoa, soy and other vegan protein sources. You might start with going meatless for one whole day.
Choose a more climate-friendly diet and the planet will thank you!
#3. Reuse all bags and containers and skip the plastic water bottles completely
Waste Reduction – Eco kitchens are designed to minimize waste. This can include bulk food storage, reducing single-use plastics, and using reusable containers and bags.
Plastic waste is now a huge problem. It is a substance made to last forever; it does not biodegrade. It simply breaks into smaller pieces and poses serious dangers for humans, animals, the air we breathe and the water we drink. Therefore, it is imperative that we first reduce the amount of plastics we use, and second recycle what we can.
Here are some green tips to get you started:
• Always bring your own reusable shopping bags to the grocery store. Here is our pick for one of our favorite reusable shopping bags. The [easyazon_link identifier=”B07F8QFKD4″ locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”dinnerd06-20″]BeeGreen Reuseable Grocery Bags[/easyazon_link]. Perfect for a trip to the grocery store and also to the big box stores.
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• Bypass the plastic produce bags by investing in reusable netted produce bags.’
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• Shop stores that sell foods in bulk; then bring your own glass jars or eco-friendly food storage bags.
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#4. Practice all of the 3 R’s every day! Reduce, Recycle and
Reuse!
• Keep a dedicated bin for recyclables in your kitchen.
• Check with your local recycling company to be sure which materials they accept.
• Check the numbers on the bottom of your plastics to make sure they comply.
• Find alternative depositories for materials not included in your recycling service. For example, some shopping centers have bins that accept plastic wraps and bags that aren’t picked up by weekly services.
• Find alternative depositories for materials not included in your recycling service. For example, some shopping centers have bins that accept plastic wraps and bags that aren’t picked up by weekly services.
• Make your kitchen a zero plastic kitchen if possible. Many of these plastics that we are using are ending up in the ocean and causing problems for the sea life. By reducing or just not using any plastic, we are going a long way in helping the environment.
• Reduce – ask yourself if you really need that throwaway item or if you could use something else. Reducing is a win-win because it also saves a lot of money! Think before you buy!
#5. Limit food waste by planning ahead, using leftovers and composting scraps.
Recycling and Composting – A well-organized system for recycling and composting is a key feature of an eco kitchen. This reduces the amount of waste that goes to landfills.
• Only buy as much fresh produce and meats that you can use or safely store in a reasonable time frame. Spoiled foods that have to be thrown out are a waste of the resources used in production and transportation. Learn more about saving money and wasting less food.
• Be creative and use up those leftovers in future meals. For example, that leftover chicken can be cut up and used on a salad, in soup or casseroles.
• Put those valuable food scraps to work as compost! Compost is any organic material you add to soil to help plants grow. Materials such as produce scraps and coffee grounds can be combined with grass clippings and dead leaves to produce a nutrient-rich soil conditioner. Learn more about ways to waste less food.
#6. Use natural, biodegradable cleaning products.
Many of the ingredients contained in commercial cleaning products can be dangerously toxic to humans, causing headaches, breathing problems and risk of cancer. Their fumes can contribute to air pollution, and the disposal of these chemicals can seriously endanger our water quality and aquatic wildlife.
Shop for natural, non-toxic, biodegradable kitchen cleaning products here. Or try your hand at natural products you make yourself, using simple ingredients, like vinegar and baking soda.
To clean your sink, for example, simply wet your sink with water, sprinkle baking soda all around, and scrub! To refresh your refrigerator, mix equal parts vinegar and water to wash both the interior and exterior of your fridge. Put a little undiluted vinegar on your cloth to wipe stubborn grime and to prevent mildew in the bins. Finish it off by placing a box of baking soda inside to keep it smelling fresh.
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While you’re busy refreshing your kitchen with natural cleaners, be sure to use reusable eco-friendly cloths instead of paper towels. You can learn more about our favorite [easyazon_link identifier=”B016ARTAWK” locale=”US” tag=”dinnerd06-20″]reusable cloths here[/easyazon_link].
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#7. Use less energy in your cooking methods:
• Whenever possible, use a microwave oven for cooking, as they use as much as 80% less energy than a conventional oven.
• Grill meats outside to save energy and money. Traditional ovens heat up the house and, if it’s summer, that means more work for the air conditioner.
• Skip the preheating step unless absolutely necessary; it’s usually not needed for most food items.
• Turn off the oven a few minutes early, as the food will finish cooking in the residual heat.
• Cook more than one item at a time.
• Cut food into smaller pieces to speed up cooking time.
• Cover pans while cooking. It cooks the food faster and keeps the kitchen cooler.
#8. Use your Dishwasher!
Running a full high-efficiency dishwasher uses 37% less water than washing the same amount of dishes by hand. Take advantage of this savings by following these tips:
• Run the dishwasher only when full, and use the most efficient setting, such as light wash and air dry.
• Don’t bother rinsing your dishes first, unless extremely dirty. This extra rinsing can waste up to 20 gallons of water per load.
• If you only have a small load of dishes, fill two sinks with soapy water and rinse water, and hand wash them. This quick method uses only half as much water as the dishwasher.
#9. Keep a few houseplants to help clean the air.
Plants have the natural benefits of removing gases in the air, such as carbon dioxide and formaldehyde, which is released through wood products, paints and varnishes. Another toxic gas they remove is benzene, which is found in detergents and pesticides.
Even if you don’t consider yourself a green thumb, there are many types of low-maintenance houseplants that may decrease your risk of cancers, asthma, allergies and autoimmune disorders simply by clearing the air. Some of these include English ivy, areca palm, peace lily, wax begonia, Boston fern, snake plant, and herbs, such as rosemary, lavender, basil, mint, jasmine and geranium. It is recommended to keep a ratio of 2 plants (in 10-12″ pots) per 100 square feet of space.
#10. Save energy by investing in eco-friendly appliances.
• When purchasing a new refrigerator, freezer or dishwasher, look for the “Energy Star” logo. This logo is a symbol backed by the government to make it easier for consumers to identify and purchase energy-efficient appliances that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money on energy bills.
• Be sure to carefully maintain these appliances over time. To test the rubber seal on the refrigerator door, for example, place a dollar bill inside the seal, close the door, and try to pull it out. If the dollar slides out easily, it may be time to repair or replace the seal.
Conclusion:
Creating eco kitchens is a process of simple habits that benefit both you and our planet. Putting these habits into action will save you money, improve your health and help you become more environmentally aware. As we all get involved and do our part, we will make the world a better place, for us and for generations to come.
Also Read – Green Living – Tips on How to Live Day to Day Green.