With everything going on in the world around you, is there any doubt as to the devastation we are causing to the planet day after day, year after year? You may have ignored the warnings of scientists in the past, but with all the natural disasters we are currently witnessing, there is no denying that Mother Earth is crying for help. At first, it may seem overwhelming because there is much to be rectified, but why not start on a level you can control? Why not begin with these three ways to make your kitchen more eco-friendly?
1. Invest in Energy Efficient Appliances
Manufacturers are continually working on energy efficiency in their appliances and, with each passing year, they set the scale higher and higher. You’ve undoubtedly seen those labels that read HE on such things as those washing machines you’ve been thinking of upgrading to. The HE stands for High Efficiency. In order to be rated as such that machine will use less water and require less energy to operate. The very first thing you can do to make your kitchen eco-friendlier is to begin by replacing older appliances with today’s energy-efficient appliances with those rated Energy Star certification.
2. Eliminate Use of Plastic Wherever Possible
Have you been following recent news about all those plastic straws washing up on ocean shores within the past couple of years? What about the dead sea turtles that, after having been dissected, were found to be filled with plastic they couldn’t digest. Most plastic is not biodegradable and that causes a major amount of destruction to the environment. Have you ever stopped to think about those single-serving coffee pods you so enjoy using? They are mostly manufactured in plastic cups to be popped in your trendy Keurig machine. But did you know that there is a biodegradable option? You can find biodegradable coffee pods, and you can also find biodegradable straws! It’s not only about sea turtles, but even our landfills are beyond capacity so choosing biodegradable options would be one way to protect our environment.
3. Eliminate the Use of Hazardous Chemicals
Referring back to those HE appliances, one of the things you might want to consider is trading out all those harsh chemicals you use to wash your clothes or dishes. Some soaps are chemical compounds and you will often find that detergents are among the worst. Dish soaps and detergents should be formulated with ingredients that won’t harm the environment. Bear in mind that any cleaning product you use in the kitchen will eventually go down the drain and at some point, will be cycled back up to the water you drink. These chemicals are killing plant and animal life at drastically increasing rates which is one of the greatest reasons why your kitchen should be as eco-friendly as humanly possible.
The Final Word Is…
For years consumers thought the focus on eco-friendly products and practices were the result of advertising created by high-end marketing companies. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, it is a key selling point, but a selling point based on science as well as consumer wants and needs. Eco-friendly products and practices are established to promote a healthier lifestyle and to begin repairing the damage we have done to the only known inhabited planet in the universe. If you value life, you will want to make changes in your lifestyle and in the products you use. Begin with an eco-friendly kitchen and go from there. It’s amazing what a little knowledge and a lot of science can help you accomplish. It all starts today.
*This is a collaborative post