5 SIMPLE STEPS TO A SUSTAINABLE KITCHEN
Environmental awareness is, quite rightly, on the rise for the last couple of years. There’s no better place to start than in the kitchen for those individuals taking steps towards living more sustainably. We know that going green can seem daunting, so here are five simple tips to make your kitchen more sustainable.
1. BUY ORGANIC
Choosing organic foods wherever possible directly boosts your sustainability credentials. In addition to preserving the biodiversity of plants, animals, and micro-organisms, organic farming creates less greenhouse gas and other contamination. Organic food isn’t sprayed with dangerous chemicals, so it’s also more nutrient-rich than its non-organic counterparts. Making simple swaps to some of your regular staples is a great place to get started.
2. CHOOSE SUSTAINABLE STORAGE
Fresh or leftover, you can lengthen the life of your food with careful storage. Here’s how to avoid some kitchen storage sustainability traps:
- Get rid of the clingfilm. Forever. As a single-use plastic, it’s tough on the environment.
- Also, lose plastic storage containers. They won’t last forever and inevitably become more plastic waste. In addition, some plastic containers also contain chemicals such as BPA and phthalates, which are known to leach into foods and could be harmful.
3. USE NON-TOXIC CLEANING PRODUCTS
How clean are your cleaning products? Products that include harsh chemicals such as ammonia and chlorine may appear to get your surfaces sparkling, however, they aren’t the best for our ecosystem. Now, there are lots of green options on the market. Or, it’s just as simple to DIY using three magical ingredients: vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. Find some recipes online.
4. REDUCE FOOD WASTE
Did you know that the kitchen is the largest culprit for waste generation in the typical household?
Food waste is an enormous problem, but the good news is that you can drastically cut down your contribution by changing the way you approach food:
Shop mindfully: create a meal plan and buy only what you need and will use.
Organize: sorting out your fridge regularly will help you stay ahead of what’s in there. So, store your leftovers at the front, so they don’t get forgotten!
Compost: Organic waste can be composted, however, if you don’t have a garden, check if your local council has a food waste system.
5. CHOOSE RECYCLABLE PACKAGING
You can make a large difference by purchasing ‘naked’ produce and choosing products packaged in recyclable materials where possible.