Get Green in the Kitchen

 

Want an eco-friendly kitchen?  Follow these easy tips to get started on the road to greener living:

1. When seasonal, shop at your local fresh fruit and vegetable markets and stands.

Only run the dishwasher when it’s full, which saves money on your water bill.  By using the air dry setting, you’re saving on electricity, too.

Use water filtering systems or a filtering pitcher, such as Brita.  Brita has a water filtering system which can be attached right to your faucet. My friend Crystal is a chiropractor who refuses to drink non-filtered water straight from the tap simply because of the impurities left over from normal filtration systems for public water consumption.

Use less water from the kitchen tap by using an aerator, which uses an air/water mix but doesn’t decrease water pressure. 

Compost when you can.  Small compost machines and bins can be purchased for kitchen use.

Avoid using as much plastic as possible and use glass containers instead. Glass is washable and reduces waste.

Instead of using plastic bags to pack sandwiches and similar items in lunches, use plastic containers with air tight lids.  

Save those Cool-Whip containers! Recycle and reuse as much as possible – make it a priority to only use packaging and containers which can be cleaned and stored for other uses. 

When purchasing new appliances, make sure they are energy efficient.

Use biodegradable garbage bags.

Use only eco-friendly alternatives for kitchen clean-up. Common household items like baking soda and vinegar can be used instead of harsh chemicals. The best I’ve found is a vinegar/water mix in a spray bottle.  Simply poor one part white, distilled vinegar in a spray bottle and add two parts water.  Attach the sprayer, give it a shake and your ready to clean!

Can you think of other ways to green-up the kitchen?  What have you done to make your kitchen more eco-friendly?