Wondering how you can make your kitchen more
eco-friendly? Well, there are plenty of ways – from big changes and additions to simple ones like using non-toxic paint on the walls, minimizing wasteful products, and encourage recycling and composting. But those are just the tip of the iceberg. For more ideas when planning out an eco-friendly kitchen renovation, read on.
Install Natural Flooring
Starting from the ground up, consider the type of flooring that will be installed. There are plenty of natural options like hard wood, or linoleum that don’t contain the toxins that are found in many other manufactured materials. But one option that is gaining popularity is cork.
This is a very sustainable material and is of course, non-toxic. It’s a better
eco-friendly option in comparison to other natural woods such as oak since cork trees regenerate every nine years as oppose to oak trees (among others) that can take over 30 years. That’s a big difference!
So when considering what floor to place down, give some serious thought to cork, which is available at roughly the same price as other wood flooring.
Upgrade to Energy Efficient Appliances
Between the amount of appliances that get used in the
kitchen, this is where a great deal of energy can be wasted, which adds more stress to our environment. If you’re considering an upgrade, make sure to look for that Energy Star label that will tell you it’s energy efficient. And if your budget can’t stretch as far to replace all of your appliances, then just consider some of the ones that are major energy hogs like the fridge, oven and dishwasher. These three are generally the most wasteful and expensive, so by upgrading you can save money too.
Use a Water-Saving Faucet
Wasting water is something we are all guilty of. But there are ways to help combat our bad habits. For example, installing a water-saving faucet is a really helpful addition to any
eco-friendly kitchen plan. With a flow rate around 2.2 gallons per minute, it helps you conserve water without even thinking about it.
Refinish & Refurbish Rather Than Replace
Think your cupboards look dated? Well instead of ripping them down and adding that to a landfill, consider saving time and money by giving them a facelift. As more homeowners are looking for ways to cut down on costs, refurbishing older items to look better than new, is more popular than ever. Give them a good sanding and get creative with your (non-toxic) paint.
When you’re ready to get on board with an eco-friendly kitchen renovation, take note of these key areas that can transform your
kitchen into something beautiful for both you and the environment.
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