Easy Green: 10 Small Kitchen Changes to Make Today
Taking small steps in going green can lead to big results over time, and starting in the kitchen is a smart choice
Laura Gaskill
June 18, 2012
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
If you are looking to live a greener lifestyle, a great place to begin is in the kitchen. But rather than trying to make sweeping changes right away (which can be self-defeating), try taking on one small, easy change at a time and repeat it until it becomes a habit you no longer have to think about. Here are 10 ideas for where to begin.
1. Deal with excuses. This is a great first step to take, no matter which habit you are trying to change. Think about what has been stopping you from taking up a new habit you want to try, and brainstorm potential solutions.
Let's take using cloth towels instead of paper towels for cleanup:
Excuse: "Some things are just too gross to wipe up with cloth."
Solution: Use really cheap rags for messy chores and throw them right in a hamper in the kitchen. Also, don't be afraid to replace old rags from time to time — and go ahead and keep a roll of paper towels hidden away for emergencies. No one said you have to go cold turkey.
Let's take using cloth towels instead of paper towels for cleanup:
Excuse: "Some things are just too gross to wipe up with cloth."
Solution: Use really cheap rags for messy chores and throw them right in a hamper in the kitchen. Also, don't be afraid to replace old rags from time to time — and go ahead and keep a roll of paper towels hidden away for emergencies. No one said you have to go cold turkey.
2. Seek out local, organic food. Make going organic a fun event by making time to browse a local farmer's market once a week. You can find farmer's markets and roadside stands in your area through Local Harvest.
If buying all organic is too expensive, start with the foods known to contain the highest levels of pesticides and foods that you eat a lot of. Read up on the "Dirty Dozen" fruits and veggies on Dr. Andrew Weil's website.
If buying all organic is too expensive, start with the foods known to contain the highest levels of pesticides and foods that you eat a lot of. Read up on the "Dirty Dozen" fruits and veggies on Dr. Andrew Weil's website.
3. Use a water filter instead of drinking bottled water. Most of us are aware that there is a problem with excessive plastic waste in the world, and that individual bottles of water are a large part of that problem. Luckily, this is a pretty easy one to remedy at home, either by installing an undersink filter or using a pitcher filter. If you like chilled water, just fill a glass pitcher from your newly filtered tap and store it in the fridge.
Ready to take it a step further? Fill your own water bottle to bring on outings, so you won't be tempted to buy a bottle while you are out.
Ready to take it a step further? Fill your own water bottle to bring on outings, so you won't be tempted to buy a bottle while you are out.
4. Gradually replace plastics. Any time you notice a plastic container that has lost its lid, has stains or cracks, take the opportunity to toss it in favor of a glass container. I am a big fan of glass nesting bowls with lids — they can be used for meal prep and storing leftovers, and can be safely microwaved, too (remove lids first).
5. Reduce your reliance on paper towels. If you find yourself reaching for a paper towel to clean up every last spill and drip, this may be a tough step to tackle. I recommend stocking up on a huge bundle of dish towels and placing them in strategic spots throughout your kitchen. Even if you keep a roll of paper towels in the closet for extra-messy scenarios, if you can use a cloth towel 75 percent of the time, you will be doing great.
6. Cut down on packaging. Requiring a bit more attention than the ideas up to this point, becoming aware of packaging on everyday items you purchase is something that can be developed over time. A great place to start is by choosing a few ingredients from the bulk bins rather than the aisles of the supermarket. You will usually save money by buying in bulk, and storing grains and beans in glass jars in the pantry is easy, pretty and practical.
7. Switch to nontoxic cleaners. Most of the time, it is unnecessary to use powerful cleaners on everyday household messes. If the mess you are cleaning up is less harmful than the product you are using to clean it, that's a clear sign you could scale back a bit. Especially with little ones in the house, it feels much safer to use natural cleaners on floors and counters.
As with all of these ideas, there is room for moderation. There is no reason to trash all of your old standby cleaning products — just reserve them for occasional deep cleaning and times there has been an illness in the house.
As with all of these ideas, there is room for moderation. There is no reason to trash all of your old standby cleaning products — just reserve them for occasional deep cleaning and times there has been an illness in the house.
8. Reduce waste. If you managed to cut down on some packaging waste per tip number six, bravo! The next step is to think about reducing the food waste that usually gets tossed in the bin. Composting is easier than you might think, and once you start creating your own "black gold" (compost), your garden will thank you. Learn how to get started making compost and make your own DIY compost bin for $15 on Simple Mom.
Don't have a garden? Some cities provide food waste containers that are collected along with other recycling bins and used in a city composting program. Contact your town to see if there is a program in your area.
Don't have a garden? Some cities provide food waste containers that are collected along with other recycling bins and used in a city composting program. Contact your town to see if there is a program in your area.
Palmona's Nest
9. Use cloth napkins for everyday meals. If you reach for paper napkins at every meal, consider swapping them for a cheap set of everyday napkins. I recommend getting a dark color like chocolate brown or a fun print that will hide stains. To prolong their use between washings, pick up a different napkin ring for each family member.
10. Replace old nonstick cookware. There has been conflicting evidence about the safety of nonstick cookware containing Teflon. To be on the safe side, if you notice an older nonstick pan getting scratched up, toss it. Replace the old nonstick with stainless steel, cast iron or enameled cast iron pans.
Bonus: 11. Plant a kitchen garden. If you have the room, consider giving up some of your lawn space for a productive potager, also known as a kitchen garden. Start small, in a raised bed with just a few plants each of your favorite things to eat.
More:
Grow Your Own Herbs, Fruits and Vegetables
Houzz Housekeeping Guides
More:
Grow Your Own Herbs, Fruits and Vegetables
Houzz Housekeeping Guides
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Copper pans with tin linings last forever. You can even find vintage ones on Etsy for not much $$$. Ikea has neat little kitchen towels for about 80 cents each, and I've been stocking up on them. Throwing them in a hamper/washer when done and it's easier and better than tossing paper towels, although the paper towels are recyclable and don't require water and energy to clean.
All great ideas and many of us have already incorporated them into our daily routine. Plastics are a major, major problem throughout our world. Although a bit more expensive also consider buying 'grind your own' coffee in paper bags instead of plastic containers. Pair your own filtered water with juice and energy drink powder and liquid concentrates instead of those in plastics. Buy milks in the wax coated paper containers instead of plastic jugs. Clean and cut fresh fruit yourself instead of buying precut fruit placed in plastics. If you buy deli meats in small plastic storage containers, they can be reused in many ways. Always check for the numbered triangle symbol on the bottom of plastics that you must buy. Most can be recycled.