Nine steps to a more eco-friendly kitchen

Whether you’re planning a full-scale renovation of your kitchen or are just hoping to make a few eco-friendly changes here and there, here are nine steps to cutting down your carbon footprint in the kitchen.

Induction hobs

If sustainability is the first thing that comes to mind when planning the renovation of your kitchen, consider replacing your gas hob for an induction hob. Using electromagnetic induction heat to cook food, induction hobs are an eco-friendly alternative to gas hobs as the food only heats up when the utensil heats up when the utensil is placed over the cooktop, saving natural gas and electrical energy. They’re also super easy to clean, which is a major plus point!

Large eco-friendly appliances

When it comes to the large appliances in your kitchen, sustainable switches are quite straightforward. Eco friendly fridges are easy to find thanks to their energy-star rating which reflects their energy-efficiency, and electric ovens and energy-efficient dishwashers are becoming increasingly popular with a number of models available on the market.

Small energy efficient appliances

It’s not just the large appliances that have eco-friendly alternatives; switching to energy efficient small appliances can also have a big difference and don’t require huge renovations. Thanks to modern technology, you can now get electric kettles that retain heat and have adjustable boiling temperatures; energy efficient toasters with lids that trap heat; and even frying pans made from sustainable materials.

Biodegradable and reusable dish cloths

Ditch the disposable J-cloths in favour of some reusable, biodegradable dishcloths for all your dishwashing and surface cleaning needs. Whether you’re a sponge person, a cloth person, or partial to a good scourer, there’s plenty of eco-friendly and affordable alternatives on the market – from bamboo dishcloths to compostable sponge scourers.

Alternatively, old clothes, tea towels, sheets, bedding or scrap fabric can make excellent make-shift kitchen cloths and save your preloved items going to landfill!

Eco-friendly food storage

Bees-wax food wraps act as a great substitute for cling film or plastic sandwich bags and allow you to store your food in a more eco-friendly way. For leftover meals, try a bamboo food container as an alternative to plastic Tupperware. You’ll certainly be the envy of your colleagues in the lunchroom!

It is also worth locating your local zero waste food store, which allows you to fill your own food containers with cereals, pasta, rice, pulses and more, thus cutting out pointless plastic waste.

Rearrange your cupboards to reduce waste

If you’re not in a position to shop in zero-waste shops or buy all-new food containers, simply rearranging your cupboards so that you can see exactly how much of each food item you currently have can be a quick fix to reduce the amount of food waste you produce. This is a great way to avoid panic buying or overfilling your cupboards with more pasta than you could ever hope to get through!

Reduce food waste with a food subscription

Another way to reduce food waste, support local farmers and enjoy fresh produce is to sign up to a food subscription. Abel & Cole offer weekly deliveries of organic and sustainable food and drink with less packaging and fewer ‘food miles’; similarly, the subscription service Oddbox gives you a chance to ‘rescue’ fruit and veg from going to waste at local farms. And if you are looking to cut down on the amount of waste produced from mealtimes, try Hello Fresh – the subscription service that brings you just the right amount of food to make a meal for your household with zero waste.

Don’t waste a wash!

A seemingly simple tip, but nonetheless one that will make a big difference. Whether it’s the dishwasher, washing machine or tumble dryer, only put it on when it is full. When you put on a clothes wash with just a few items in it or use a dish washer that is not filled with crockery and cutlery, you are not only wasting energy but contributing to high utility bills!

Environmentally friendly cleaning products

For washing up liquid, fabric softener, dishwasher tablets and surface cleaner that won’t break the bank or destroy the environment, try using Ecover, Koh, or other eco-friendly cleaning products which will provide you with a fresh, clean kitchen without any toxic chemicals.

For stubborn limescale that always appears on your kettle, iron, or taps, try delving into your kitchen cupboard for our natural cleaning saviours, lemon, baking soda, and white vinegar – the terrific trio of cleaning products! There are so many articles online that will help you rectify your exact issue without expensive toxic cleaning products.

Need help renovating your home to make it more eco-friendly? Get a quote from our PMP Approved contractors today.