Eco-friendly kitchen ideas?

Question

My mom is new to green living and asked me for ideas for redoing her kitchen. I mentioned energy star appliances, if she plans to upgrade, and some recycled countertop material. Have you used any good eco-friendly kitchen products in your home?

Answer 1

we have;

a kettle that you really can boil only one cupful at a time without burning out the element.

a good fridge (A*) that takes about half of the power the old one did. think they even go to A** now.

microwave.

Answer 2

How exciting! Big things and little things count. We are starting to remodel and are considering tile or hardwood for kitchen floor. Avoid products that outgas formaldehyde (particle/laminated wood cabinets) or carcinogens, like vinyl flooring. You can get true linoleum instead of vinyl. Use no-VOC paints. Some energy companies now offer rebates for using energy-star appliances-she could call her local electric company. Work in space for recycling bin, drying rack for dishtowels, attractive containers for vinegar and baking soda, and a place to store reusable shopping/grocery bags. When choosing surface materials consider longterm maintenance. Anything that can't be cleaned with baking soda, vinegar, or earthfriendly cleaners won't be replaced in my house. For her birthdays, etc., give her good cookware (no teflon) and new glass containers for food storage--try to get rid of as much plastic as possible. Give her natural cleaning products with rose or lavender scent. They clean well and are earth kind. Give her some canvas grocery tote bags--actually easier to carry than plastic. Being green doesn't have to mean you suffer. I congratulate you both.

Answer 3

Green cleaning products, email me, click on my picture and email me for more info. I can get more into the different cleaning products.  Micro fibre clothes instead of paper towels.  The ones I get from Shaklee, I can was 400 times.  That is a huge savings for the earth and your moms wallet.  Energy efficient light bulbs, turning lights off when not in the room.  I unplug everything when I'm not using it.  Every little bit helps.  You guys will learn as you go!  Great work!

Answer 4

Give up the garbage disposal in the sink and instead compost food wastes outside.   (Then use it in garden or flowerbed.)

Some take-out food containers can be washed and reused.  Particularly the plastic ones.  

A low-flow faucet will help reduce water usage.

Keeps several trays full of ice in the freezer.  The more full your freezer and refridgerator are, the less air it has to cool everytime you open & shut the door.   Thus, less energy used.

Answer 5

You can also try recycled tiles for the backsplash with eco-friendly grout.  The Dwell Smart store in Mt Pleasant has these available.

Answer 6

Appliances are good. Maybe an enclosed recycling station, like a 4 bag area to sort in.

Answer 7

miss. if u are really want to do somthing eco friendly   and  not painful in the kitchen, try to dispose the wastes from your kitchen productively. as manure or somthing like that.