Turning Your Kitchen Green

Last Updated on January 22, 2020

Are you in the midst of a kitchen remodeling? Are you possibly rethinking your current kitchen design? There are likely many considerations you are keeping in mind – price, style, and quality to name a few. But there’s one more thing we want to remind you of before sending you out into the land of Kitchen Remodeling Design – Don’t forget to go green!

Below we have compiled a great list of tips to help you go green in your kitchen. Some of them will require a little bit of upfront investment, but you will surely see a return as the years go by.

Look for the EnergyStar Logo

If you are remodeling you kitchen, appliances will probably factor largely into your design plan. Be sure to always look for EnergyStar appliances. These appliances have met strict efficiency guidelines provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and can help you save up to a third of the cost of your energy bill. Furthermore, try to look for appliances that will last a long time (we’re talking ten years or more) as this will help reduce waste.

Recycle

Whenever possible, try to recycle the appliances you are replacing. Give them away to your friends, family, or neighbors, donate them to your local salvation army, or list them on craigslist (for free or try to make a little money back). If you’re up for it, you could even try looking for recycled materials for your own kitchen!
Be sure to use energy efficient bulbs in any new fixtures you install. As old bulbs burn out replace them with energy efficient ones. These bulbs use 75 percent less energy and last about 10 times longer than regular bulbs.

Get a Dishwasher

Invest in a dishwasher if you don’t already have one. Obviously, this might be impossible for renters, but for those who own their own home, running a full dishwasher uses less water than washing dishes by hand in a sink with running water.

Pick Sustainable Materials

Use recycled materials as much as possible. Bamboo is beautiful choice for floors and cabinetry, and it’s highly sustainable so you can rest easy knowing you are doing what’s best for the environment.  If you’re in the market for new countertops, our Trend Glass countertop overlays are made from recycled glass and semi-precious, man-made stones. They will add luster and beauty to your kitchen while also helping you stay green.

How to go green even if you aren’t remodeling your kitchen.

And now for the really fun stuff – We can all keep the following tips in mind to reduce our impact on the environment.

Try A Natural Approach

A great natural alternative to common household cleaning products is a vinegar-water solution, which will clean virtually any surface in your home. Vinegar is great at removing stains, from tile grout to coffee mugs. Vinegar can be found in any grocery store and it will only set you back a few dollars. Try adding a squeeze of lemon to the solution to give your home a fresh citrus scent.

Choose Local

Lastly, eat local! Obviously, this one can sometimes be difficult. You will need to spend a little more time searching for products that have been grown locally in your area.  However, farmers markets are popping up everywhere these days and large retailers like Whole Foods often showcase locally grown products, making them easy to identify.