5 Ways To Go Green In The Kitchen
What does it mean to “go green”, and why in the kitchen?
Simply put, “going green” is the term given to intentional, environmentally conscious decisions, which can help protect the environment and sustain its natural resources for generations to come. The kitchen is the ideal place to start because, believe it or not, kitchens are typically contributing more waste to our nation’s waste factor than any other part of the home. Green living is not a fad that will come and go as trends change. It's a lifestyle choice that's good for your health, the environment, and your pocket. When you're aiming to go more green, your kitchen is a great place to start!
A few steps to get you started - all of which you can easily start implementing TODAY!
Buy Local
Buying local is choosing to purchase locally produced goods over those produced father away, often meaning in another state or even country. Doing so, reduces the carbon emission from transportation since your purchased goods don’t need to travel as far to get to your kitchen. In addition, buying local eliminates excess packaging, which means creating less waste.
2. B.Y.O.B - Bring your own bag
Personally, I’ve found bringing my own reusable bags to the farmer’s market, or even grocery store, is one of the easiest ways to cut back on waste while transitioning to a greener kitchen and home. Canvas, and jute bags, are the best alternatives to plastic, or even paper bags. Remembering to bring a bag might seem like another thing to add to your list, but it’s actually quite simple: leave a couple canvas bags in your car trunk so you always have them on hand, even when you’re just popping into the store on your way home.
While we’re on the subject of plastic - you might want to start sipping on something different. If you’re someone who prefers to sip from a straw, or if making a Starbucks run is part of your daily routine (no judgement!), you might consider metal or bamboo straws which make a great alternative to plastic straws! Here in Los Angeles, many neighborhoods have already implemented a ban on plastic straws in an effort to go green. That said, if you dislike drinking directly from the restaurant’s glass, be sure to keep your own reusable straw on hand. You can find some really great ones that even collapse and can easily be carried in your purse!
3. Compost
There are a variety of ways to compost, most of which depends on where you live, an apartment verse a house with a yard, and how much time and effort you’re willing to dedicate to the process. If you’re living in a small apartment, it might be best to vermi-compost, or worm compost, which requires very little attention and space. Vermi-compost involves red wigglers, breaking down organic matter - vegetable and food waste - and turning it into vermicast, which is extremely rich in nutrients and microorganisms that create and maintain healthy soil. While it may seem a bit gross, vermi-composting is super simple: get a container or bucket with a lid, fill it with soil and red wigglers and place any organic waste in there. After the worms have done their job, vermicast is perfect for potted plants and outdoor gardens!
Now, if you have a large yard and are willing to put in a bit more effort, an outdoor compost system might be a better fit for you. First, you need to create an enclosed area or choose a spot in the yard that you don’t go near very often and begin making a well balanced pile with ingredients that are nitrogen rich and carbon rich. The key is to maintain a ratio of nitrogen-based items to carbon-based items at 1:2. Egg shells, vegetable and fruit scraps, coffee grounds and tea bags are nitrogen rich, while dead leaves, branches, paper egg cartons, newspapers, and tissues are carbon rich. Once you’ve created the “basic” blend, and it fills a pile of at least 3 feet by 3 feet, you can begin adding organic waste from your kitchen. The microorganisms will begin to work immediately and you can expect to have nutrient-rich soil in just a few months.
4. Go with glass
If you haven’t already, it’s time to consider throwing out your plastic tupperware and replacing them with eco-friendly glass containers. Glass is less harmful to the environment and it’s definitely a much healthier alternative than plastic when it comes to consumer health. One of the greatest, green benefits of glass containers, is using them to store, bake, reheat, and serve - all in the same container, which means less dishes to wash and less water consumption.
5. Choose cloth instead of paper towel
Paper towels no longer have to be your go-to for quickly cleaning up messy spills - cotton kitchen cloth is a sustainable alternative! The beauty of reusable cloth towels, is that they can be used over and over, all they need is a quick wash and they’re ready to be used again! Using cloth not only means saving money, but it’s also considered a green alternative because it saves so many trees, and reduces the amount of paper waste in landfills. An added bonus: once a cloth has served its time in your kitchen, it doesn’t need to be thrown away, it can easily be used as a rag for cleaning around the house!
BONUS: A few tips for cutting back on water consumption -
Remember to shut the water off when brushing your teeth
If it’s yellow, let it mellow..
Using a dishwasher actually saves more water than washing by hand
And wash laundry in cold water when you can!
If you find that you can only do two out of the five things on this list, don’t stress. This list is simply meant to give you ideas for how you can begin to go green in your kitchen, it’s not meant to pressure you into a lifestyle that’s completely unrealistic for you, and your family.
For example, as a busy mom with two little ones, I know it can be a challenge to pencil in time for shopping local at the farmers market, but I do always make sure to bring my own reusable shopping bag when I’m headed to Trader Joe’s :)
We have to celebrate the little victories, and by making small, but worthwhile adjustments to our everyday lives, we can make a huge impact!
xoxo,
Lindsay