A kitchen makeover transforms the feel of your home and energizes you to cook and spend more time in the kitchen.
However, when renovating your kitchen, it’s important to focus not just on aesthetics but also the impact it’ll create on the environment.
Here’s a list of tips to help you create a more eco-friendly kitchen.
Find eco-friendly materials
Before renovating your kitchen, carefully choose materials and make sure you know how those will affect the environment.
As much as possible, stick with sustainable materials. This includes using eco-friendly countertops (made from recycled paper, glass and other items), along with environmentally green sinks and faucets. Using recycled appliances (such as those found in a thrift store) can also help the environment.
If you are unsure about the materials, ask for full disclosure. Stick with durable materials, too. Products that last are more likely to minimize future waste from replacement.
Build sustainable cabinets
In addition to choosing eco-friendly materials, consider using non-toxic, sustainable cabinets in your new kitchen.
Avoid using formaldehyde, which has cancer-causing properties and releases harmful gases into the air even after it dries.
Choose formaldehyde-free woods, recycled concrete, reclaimed wood or wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
Consider taking inspiration from contemporary Amish furniture. Mostly made of wood, Amish kitchen furniture, is durable and sustainable.
