Resource-Saving Tips for a Green Kitchen

With all the green veggies, leafy plants, fresh herbs and fruits, one might think that your kitchen is already green. However, there are ways you can save even more resources and make your kitchen eco-friendly and energy-efficient. Here are a few tips on saving resources, reducing waste and turning your kitchen into a completely green space:

Invest in quality cookware

One of the easiest ways to make your kitchen more sustainable is to invest in quality cookware that will stay with your family for generations. Unfortunately, this means you have to say goodbye to Teflon—it’s debatable whether it’s good for human use, but it definitely doesn’t have the best lifespan. On the other hand, cast iron and stainless steel are very durable, even though a sizable investment.

Also, choose quality utensils instead of cheap plastic and wooden ones—these can break, rot and melt if you leave them on the stove for too long. Investing in handmade knives you can sharpen at home and using washable cloth dishtowels instead of paper towels is also a great idea.

Be energy-efficient with appliances

Many of us have old refrigerators and freezers in the basement or garage. While practical, these old appliances eat electricity like crazy. Reconsider how much extra space you need for meat and veggies and upgrade to newer models of appliances. And maybe you don’t even need any extra freezer space so you can be greener than ever and save a lot of money—one large fridge/freezer usually needs less energy than two smaller ones.

Wash dishes the right way

Did you know that washing dishes by hand wastes over 30% more water than using a dishwasher? Well, rejoice because numbers don’t lie! You can additionally green up your dishwashing process by using completely natural dishwashing balls from well-equipped Shoppster website and get them delivered to your doorstep. These are powerful in removing grease and food from dishes, friendly to the environment and hypoallergenic. If you wait to have a full load of dishes to run your dishwasher, you can save even more energy and water than running two half-loaded dishwashers.

Cook greener

Your big oven is good for big roasts and casseroles but if you’re preparing a smaller dish, switch to a toaster oven or a slow cooker which use 30% less energy. According to estimates, microwaves use even less energy—with them, you can save around 50% of electricity than using a regular oven. If you need to heat a larger meal, using a stove is usually more efficient, though. In the summer, using a microwave is even smarter because it doesn’t release too much heat so you need to blast your AC.

Repurpose and recycle

Save those jars that come with your purchase of pickles, salsa and spaghetti sauce and repurpose them easily and efficiently. Take off the labels and fill them with pasta, rice, spices and whatever you can buy in bulk. This will minimize your trash and take you closer to zero-waste living. You can also sort your garbage and recycle all the plastic, cans and glass bottles you don’t need anymore. If you want to take it a step further, setting up a composting station is also possible, especially if you have a lot of leftovers from cooking.

Bring your own bag

Being green in the kitchen starts at the supermarket, so instead of choosing plastic or paper bags, bring your own reusable canvas bags (keep them in your car or backpack). When you unload your groceries, place empty totes in the hallway and take them with you to your car the next time you’re leaving somewhere. Even plastic or paper bags can be reused, so don’t throw them away.

Use green kitchen cleaners

If you look at the list of chemicals and toxins that go into regular dishwashing liquids, detergents, floor cleaners and degreasers, you will realize why they are so harmful to the environment. However, there are companies that produce natural cleaners, but you can also take a DIY route and make your own with everyday ingredients like vinegar, baking soda and essential oils.

Being green in the kitchen will not only do wonders for the environment but also save you some money in the long run. Plus, you’ll be inspired to eat better and experiment more with your homemade recipes. In a blink of an eye, you’ll lead a much healthier and eco-friendly life.

Guest Contributor: Diana Smith