Cover photo: Among other eco-friendly features, the countertops are made with recycled coal fly ash. / Jeremy Levine Design via Flickr
Having a green home goes beyond installing solar panels and battery storage. When making any sort of renovation, consider how you can improve the efficiency and sustainability of your home as a whole. The following article offers ideas for making your kitchen more eco-friendly.
The kitchen is the heart of your home. You can only keep it healthy by updating it time and again. But kitchen renovations can be not only expensive but also harmful to the environment. And if that's too much for your conscience, we have you covered. From choosing eco-friendly appliances to sustainable waste disposal, here are some kitchen remodeling ideas that help you contribute towards sustainability.
You help the planet with eco-friendly remodeling practices. You also save costs and move towards a healthier lifestyle. And you can design your kitchen sustainably within a limited budget by making simple changes in your design and the kind of products you purchase.
1. Recycled materials
You kill two birds with one stone when you use recycled and refurbished material instead of newly manufactured material to decorate your kitchen. In this way, you contribute to conserving the natural resources that go into making new products and reducing the landfill simultaneously.
You can do many things with reused and reclaimed furniture, like creating custom wooden tops for a table from old wine barrels. You can also purchase items made up of recycled ingredients like glass.
2. Eco-friendly kitchen cabinets
Here's some good news: Because ofincreasing awareness about sustainability, you now have numerous options for sustainable cabinets in attractive designs made from reclaimed wood. You might not even need to remodel your entire kitchen. It can become more beautiful by only replacing the cabinets.
And all this is possible without burning a hole in your pocket, provided you approach the right supplier who has expertise in providing materials for an eco-friendly kitchen.
3. Sustainable kitchen flooring
Popular sustainable materials for eco-friendly kitchen flooring include linoleum and cork. They are long-lasting and have a natural look and feel with a subtle hue. These materials require minimum maintenance and have good resistance to mold growth, scratches, and damage.
Eco-friendly kitchen flooring tiles come in both conventional and contemporary patterns. You can choose any of them according to the theme you want for your eco-friendly kitchen.
4. Eco-friendly countertops
A countertop is not only a piece of utility. In many ways, it defines the ambiance of your kitchen. Eco-friendly kitchen countertops provide durability without compromising aesthetics because of their natural colors and textures. Some of the durable and natural materials used in eco-friendly countertops are bamboo, reclaimed wood, and recycled glass.
Try to build your backsplashes with old bottles, bricks, or other recycled goods for an unusual vibe that feels close to nature and minimalism.
5. Energy-efficient lighting
Energy efficiency is not a new concept. You are probably aware of the many energy-efficient lighting options available in the market, including HVAC system products and brands with EPA's Energy Star seal. Getting these lighting solutions are non-negotiable. You can make them even more sustainable.
To achieve eco-friendly kitchen lighting, you can add a dimmer switch (which also serves as mood lighting) and install LED bulbs, motion sensors, and solar panels on your roof.
6. Eco-friendly kitchen appliances
Energy-efficient kitchen appliances, with the Energy Star certificate, help save a lot of the fossil fuels burned to generate electricity. At the same time, they save on your electricity bill as well.
For instance, an energy-efficient dishwasher can save power and use less water. Also, energy-efficient appliances like microwaves and refrigerators cut down on your power usage.
7 Apply non-toxic paint
The new paint smell might be pleasing to your senses, but it's not healthy for you. The harmful chemicals released as gases such as VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are responsible for that smell coming from the paint. Inhaling them can have short-term and long-term adverse effects on your health.
In the short term, VOCs can cause respiratory issues, headaches, and dizziness. And the long-term health hazard of VOCs includes cancer. So ask for VOC-free paint from your supplier.
8. Apply correct waste disposal methods
If you want to remodel your kitchen with an eco-friendly approach, you need to take care of proper disposal of remodeling waste. The recyclable material needs to be sorted separately while disposing of renovation waste.
Apart from the recyclable waste materials, be mindful of collecting and transporting the other types of waste as well. It's best to find ways to do it while generating the least air and water pollution.
By remodeling your kitchen as eco-friendly, you will not only save the planet. You will also build a healthy environment for yourself and your family while saving money. You've already taken the right step toward sustainability. These eight brilliant eco-friendly kitchen ideas will help you further create eye-catching and functional interiors.
Author bio
Erich Lawson is passionate about saving the environment through effective recycling techniques and modern innovations. He works with Compactor Management Company and writes on a variety of topics related to recycling, including tips and advice on how balers, compactors and shredders can be used to reduce industrial waste. He loves helping businesses understand how to lower their monthly garbage bills and increase revenue from recycling.
This article was originally published in Sustaining Our World and was legally licensed through the Industry Dive Content Marketplace. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.
