Go Greener Tips

Americans generate 15,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.  Although a significant percentage of it comes from vehicle use, energy consumption in the kitchen is also a major culprit especially where cooking food and washing the dishes are concerned.  As such, it is also imperative that alongside lessening vehicle use, you must also make your kitchen as eco-friendly as possible.  In short, you need to have a “green” kitchen.  And don’t fret if you cannot remodel your entire kitchen to make it eco-friendly.  You can always start one little step at a time.

Water Use

We often waste water in the kitchen in the misconception that water will never run out.  After all, the Earth is made up of 70 percent water.  Well, you might be wrong.  Water conservation is very important in homes when you consider that water is not exactly a renewable resource in the mold of the sun.

To conserve water, you can adopt these simple tips:

- Use a glass of water in brushing your teeth instead of letting it run down the drain.
- Turn the water as soon as you finish washing the fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and other food items.  Also, it is important to wash food items in cold water, which will save on the energy necessary to it heat as well as save the nutrients on the fruits and vegetables that heat can kill.
- Use tap water when washing the dishes in the dishwasher.  It also pays to use the dishwasher on a full load only.

Light Use

When not in use and during daylight, turn off all the lights in the kitchen.  You will be surprised at how much you can save on electricity bills when you adopt this cost-saving measure.  Also, try to use candles during dinner time.  Not only will you create a more intimate atmosphere but you can lessen your carbon footprint on the planet.

Kitchen Countertops

Granite and quartz are very popular because of their aesthetic appeal as well as durability.  However, these are not exactly eco-friendly materials when you take into account the processes involved from their mining to transporting to your home.  You are better off with countertops made from recycled materials like glass from windshields, traffic lights and even beer bottles as well as newspapers and cardboards.  These countertops also have aesthetic appeal and possess durability just like their granite and quartz countertops.  Plus, you save money, too, since these are usually more affordable.

Kitchen Appliances

Appliances take up majority of the energy consumption in the kitchen.  As such, it is necessary to start with energy-saving appliances, which is possible when said appliances have the Energy Star Label.  Also, do purchase new appliances when your old appliances are conking out one time too many.  Just make sure that said appliances are appropriate for the number of people using them as well as frequency of use.  It is likewise important to position your appliances in strategic ways that will save on energy.  For example, your refrigerator must not be placed near the oven and stove.

Your kitchen can indeed be a good start in making your whole house as green as possible. All it takes is one small step at a time, one person at a time, and one appliance at a time to achieve the goal.