Making your home environmentally-friendly is a daunting task; but, if you want to make this happen, it’s best to start small. One way to begin is to choose one room at a time to make it greener. The busy center of activity in most homes is the kitchen, so this may be the perfect place to get started. Making your kitchen more planet-friendly doesn’t just benefit the environment; it can also lower your utility costs. Here are five tips to make your kitchen greener.
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Choose Energy-Saving Appliances
You should start with your kitchen appliances. Your oven, microwave, refrigerator, and dishwasher all contribute to the daily energy usage your house requires. It’s best to begin by upgrading your appliances to better Energy Star certified varieties. These appliances may use much less water and require less energy to keep up with your daily tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, and storing food.
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Remodel With Recycled Materials
Then it’s time to take a look at the materials you use for your kitchen’s construction. If you’re planning a kitchen remodel in the near future, you can benefit from using recycled materials throughout your space. Instead of getting brand new cabinets made for your kitchen, go with secondhand cabinets to save money and resources. Your kitchen floors can get a large dose of character if you choose recycled wood planks from an architectural salvage place. This way, you can get the look that you want for much less and help save the environment too.
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Pick Durable Cooking Utensils
When you think of equipping your kitchen with the best cooking tools, you can also make green choices. Instead of cheap plastic utensils, go for items made with long-lasting materials, such as steel. Avoid buying Teflon cooking pans and pots, since the non-stick material tends to wear off quickly and may cause some health issues. You may want to choose stainless steel pots and pans that won’t have to be replaced quite as often.
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Opt for Sustainable Countertops
The countertops you choose can also have an effect on the planet, depending on the material you select. If possible, try going with a more sustainable countertop material, such as wood, recycled glass, or concrete. If you have your heart set on granite, a better alternative that is more environmentally-friendly is to choose quartz countertops. At Superior Stone & Cabinet, you can see why so many people love the look of quartz.
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Waste Less Food Each Day
The last way to help make your kitchen better for the environment concerns your family’s daily habits with food. Avoid buying too much food and wasting it by throwing it away in the trash. Instead, start composting your food waste and using your leftover compost material to fertilize your garden. Even better, it’s best to buy only seasonal fruits and vegetables to reduce your carbon footprint.
A green kitchen is better for the planet’s health, and it’s more beneficial for your wallet if you want to save money on your energy bill. Choosing to go green in this well-used room may also help you get a higher quality kitchen with longer-lasting materials and contribute less waste to the environment.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
