Some say the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s a place where families come together at least once a day to eat, share and just spend time together.
Because kitchens are typically high-traffic areas of the home, it’s important that they are as green as possible. There are many ways in which a kitchen can be made environmentally friendly.
Below, you will find five quick steps to get started.
- Conserve water : To avoid wasting water and to lower your water bill, consider a water-saving kitchen faucet. Brands like Kohler offer eco-friendly products such as Touchless entertainment faucets, which have 1.5 gpm aerators that offer water savings over traditional 2.2 gpm faucets.
- Create a kitchen composter: Using a plastic bin (or wooden box), paper shreddings and red worms, keep a compost in your kitchen to collect leftovers such as bread, pasta, vegetables and fruits. The results can be used to fertilize your garden.
- When remodeling, use countertops and flooring made from recycled materials: Some retailers offer products made from reused materials. Recycled glass countertops, plastic solid-surface countertops and bamboo flooring are just three of many options. Contact a local retailer to find out what options are available in your area.
- Install energy-efficient lighting: Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are an easy way to reduce energy usage. CFLs use 76 percent less energy than other lighting options, and they can be found at any home improvement store.
- Use Energy Star appliances: When purchasing a new fridge, dishwasher or stove, consider going with Energy Star. Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy that offers products that save on energy consumption and lower your monthly bills.
For more green products and services, visit our Green Homes Products & Services Directories.
Jennifer Griffin, Contributing Writer and Public Relations, GreeningDetroit.com
Jennifer is pursuing a degree in Journalism and English from Wayne State University, and she is also a Contributing Writer for The South End.
