Has 2020 been the year that you vowed to make healthier, greener decisions in life? As anyone can attest, switching to a more environmentally-conscious lifestyle is a fabulous goal, but green living can seem a little overwhelming.
The simple fact is that there are just so many changes that you could make in order to make a positive difference. With that said, it can make sense to tackle things one issue at a time, or when it comes to your home, one room at a time.
Here we’ll take a look at five ways you can set your kitchen up so that it is healthier and greener. You’ll find that most of these are rather simple tweaks, yet they can have a huge impact on the environment and the footprint you leave behind.
Be Mindful with Your Cookware
Did you know that the cookware you choose can have an impact on the environment? Choosing cookware that is durable and won’t have to be replaced on the regular means you’ll be creating less waste.
Teflon is an example of cookware that doesn’t stand the test of time, and quite frankly doesn’t last long at all. Plastic utensils are also notorious for melting, breaking, and losing their strength – again forcing you to replace them more often. Switching to non-plastic alternatives is simple. And given the amount of plastic waste amassing in our landfills and oceans, refusing plastic altogether is a high-impact choice.
Switch to Compostable Coffee Pods
If you have one of the popular single serve coffee machines, then there is no doubt you go through a lot of the pods. Unfortunately, this causes a lot of waste that ends up in the landfills, which means you’ve got a way to make a positive difference.
Green living isn’t about doing without, but about finding more sustainable options. By switching to compostable coffee pods, you won’t be adding to the waste and the problem, and yet you’ll still be able to enjoy a fabulous cup of freshly brewed coffee at home.
Purchase Appliances That Are Energy Efficient
Then there are the appliances you have in the kitchen, both big and small. You want to be sure you’re looking for energy efficient models. These will not only cut down on your bills, but also create less of a draw on resources.
If you have any appliances that are 10 years or older, there’s a very high chance they are an energy guzzler. If you’re on the fence about whether it makes financial sense to replace an older product that’s still working fine, calculate the energy savings of a replacement. You can actually factor the energy cost savings into the equation when you price out new appliances. The savings alone can make the purchase worth it.
Start Composting on a Regular Basis
If you haven’t yet embraced composting, now is the time. All those leftovers and scraps can be thrown into a compost bin, rather than the trash can, in order to create your own soil down the road. Compost is just decayed organic material, and it turns into some of the best most nutrient-rich soil and fertilizer you can find.
Some of the most common things you can compost include: eggshells, fruits and vegetables, leaves and houseplants, coffee grounds and tea bags, sawdust and wood chips, shredded newspaper, cotton and wool, grass clippings and straw.
Start an Indoor Herb Garden
Rather than rely on the supermarket for your fresh herbs, why not start your own fresh indoor herb garden in the kitchen? You can place the herbs on a window ledge, use planters on the floor, or even check out the trending herb stand/tower planters meant to save space in the kitchen.
Growing your own food, even if it’s just herbs, has a big impact on the size of your carbon footprint. It lets you reap the benefits of local, organic produce at a fraction of the cost.
Feel Good About the Changes You’ve Made
Each of these tips can help you to create a healthier, greener kitchen and will make you feel good knowing you’re helping the environment. Green living is easy once you get started!
Feature image: William; Image 1: 🇸🇮 Janko Ferlič
