8 Easy Steps Toward a Greener Kitchen

By Pro.com

In many homes the kitchen is a central hub – a place for projects, entertaining, and of course, cooking and eating. Because you spend so much time in this room, you want it to be as comfortable and efficient as possible. Armed with these tips, you can make a few changes or invest in bigger upgrades to reduce energy and waste while you save money.

(Credit: kazoka/Shutterstock)
(Credit: kazoka/Shutterstock)

1. Get Cooking

Instead of using the full size oven to heat up something, consider using a slow cooker, toaster oven, or even a counter top convection oven – a number of these are large enough to bake a pizza. In warmer months, if you don’t use the oven, you won’t heat up the kitchen, and you’ll end up not having to crank up the air conditioning, saving both money and energy.

Put a lid on it: your food will cook faster if you put a lid on your pot or pan – keeping in heat and energy. Research the pros and cons of gas vs. electric stoves – gas gives you more control, and is an immediate, heat source; electric may be more energy efficient. Whatever you choose, make sure you match the flame and burner to the size of your pan.

(Credit: Lighttraveler/Shutterstock)
(Credit: Lighttraveler/Shutterstock)

2. Use a Dishwasher

Did you know that using an energy efficient dishwasher uses less water than washing dishes by hand? Best bet: wait to run a full load of dishes – you’ll use less water than running two loads half full.

(Credit: Diego Cervo/Shutterstock)
(Credit: Diego Cervo/Shutterstock)

3. Compost Kitchen Scraps

If you cringe at the thought of composting, consider this: in some towns and cities, food waste can make up nearly 20% of landfill space, so why not use this natural waste to enrich the soil? If you don’t want to have a compost area on your property, check with your neighbors or your local farmer’s market. And if you can find a gardener or farmer who will take it to enrich his or her crops, you’ll help the food cycle come full circle.

Tip: collect your food scraps in an empty orange juice carton or a large yogurt container, and keep them in the freezer or fridge to keep any smell at bay.

(Credit: Pixavril/Shutterstock)
(Credit: Pixavril/Shutterstock)

4. Be an (Energy) Star

For that matter, if you’re replacing or upgrading appliances, do your homework: About 80% of appliances on the market have the federal Energy Star designation, which means it meets government guidelines for energy efficiency.

(Credit: Monkey Business Images)
(Credit: Monkey Business Images)

5. Baggage Claim

Keep one or two reusable shopping bags in your car, your work tote, and in your gym bag – that way, you’ll have them handy when you make a last minute stop at the store – and you can feel good saying “no thanks” when you’re asked: “Paper or Plastic?” If you do have to take store bags, bring them back next time and use them again.

(Credit: Sean Locke Photography/Shutterstock)
(Credit: Sean Locke Photography/Shutterstock)

6. Eat Smart

When you shop for food, buy local if you can – you’ll support your local farmers and economy, plus imported food has a significant carbon footprint because of transport over long distances. Buy in bulk when you can, to reduce food packaging waste. Filter your tap water instead of buying individual water bottles.

(Credit: Arina P Habich/Shutterstock)
(Credit: Arina P Habich/Shutterstock)

7. Reuse for Your Remodel

Renovating? Before you tear out all the cabinets, consider repainting or re-facing your cabinets. You’ll have less construction waste, and it’s more economical then installing brand new cabinets. Want something completely different? Check antique and salvage shops for reclaimed fixtures or even local ad listings for people ditching their old cabinets, sinks and more. You’ll save money and keep these materials out of a landfill or a dump. When you switch out your old stuff, offer it up online through a marketplace.

Can’t find what you want on the resale market? Consider green materials for countertops, like compressed paper, terrazzo made from recycled glass and ceramic mixed with concrete. Thinking about a hardwood floor? Consider using salvaged wood.

(Credit: DJTaylor/Shutterstock)
(Credit: DJTaylor/Shutterstock)

8. Shine a Light

Light colors in your kitchen will brighten the room and reflect natural light if you open the curtains to let natural sunlight in. Finally, replace incandescent bulbs and fixtures with energy-efficient lighting.

(Credit: amasterphotographer/Shutterstock)
(Credit: amasterphotographer/Shutterstock)
 
 

Pro.com is a website founded in 2013 by service industry entrepreneurs and former Amazon executives to simplify home services -- especially research on contractor fees and qualifications.

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