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As we head into 2022, the sustainability and green issue is more crucial than ever. Still, scientists warn that we are nowhere near the levels needed to sustain a healthy planet. However, if we all work together and you play your art, you can make a significant contribution to a brighter tomorrow with a greener kitchen alone. 

Change Your Cooking Fuel

The oven is the most essential appliance in your kitchen. The cooking process adds flavor, but it also, crucially, removes bacteria-containing moisture. Cookers require a heating source to generate the needed heat. However, not all are considered green, renewable, or sustainable. Most natural gas comes from fossil fuels and produces carbon monoxide. Suppliers like Tri Gas & Oil have plenty of renewable and clean-burning propane and heating solutions. Switching will make an impact at home but is excellent for your restaurant if you want to lower your carbon footprint as a commercial business entity.

No More Plastics

By now, you will be aware of the devastating effect of single-use plastics. The oceans alone are being all but destroyed by the frivolous use of hazardous materials like food containers, drinks can rings, and cloths containing microplastics. Around 100,000 marine animals and over 1 million seabirds are killed by plastic products each year. Fortunately, it's easier than ever to switch to more sustainable products. For example, you can use glass jars for storage, paper bags, or boxes for food containers and use only brands with reduced plastic usage in their packaging.

Buy Based on Portions

Food waste is among the most significant contributors to landfills and the carbon emissions issue. In the United Kingdom alone, almost 7 million tons of food is wasted annually, at the cost of over £10 billion. If you are wasting food, you should buy according to portions and divide ingredients equally. This is more accessible by planning your weekly or monthly food menu and purchasing ingredients accordingly. As an added bonus, preparing your family meals helps save money since you won't buy extra items that you do not need.

Organic, Local, Seasonal

The shipping and distribution of food contribute significantly to carbon emissions. A primary reason for this is that consumers want all types of food on demand. For example, you might wish to eat strawberries in winter or Swiss chard in summer. Therefore, food is imported from other countries to meet demand. Additionally, pesticides and preservatives are sprayed on non-organic food items. You can help reduce the harmful effects of food production by learning to cook seasonally. Further, sourcing local and organic foods will cut down on hazardous ingestion and help support animal welfare, local farmers, and domestic supply chains.

Sort It Out

Anything that cannot be recycled ends up in landfills. Some garbage, such as foods, can be further used in biofuels. But most of what you throw away cannot be processed unless processing plants know what it is. You can significantly help to process plants by presorting your trash. For example, if you place a glass bottle in your standard trash can, it will end up in a landfill, further contributing to the problem. However, by placing it in the correct bin, it will be processed for use in recycling after collection. Some countries, such as UK councils, will fine you for not presorting your recyclables.

Reuse When You Can

You might not see it now, but you can reuse most things in your kitchen. For example, grocery shopping alone can help reduce plastic usage by reusing plastic carrier bags. Additionally, plastic containers from takeaways are great for storing stuff in the fridge, such as cheese. And you could consider reusing plastic bottles for water storage when you go jogging or hiking. It's also worth noting that investing in good quality pots and pans means cheaper costs and high reusability over a long period. If you look after them, they should last a lifetime.

Install LED Lighting

Unless you have been living under the proverbial rock for the past ten years, you will have undoubtedly heard of LED lighting. Traditional fluorescent and incandescent lighting solutions are inefficient with a high carbon cost. Light Emitting Diodes are an excellent alternative. Recessed lighting with LEDs is rather stylish in the home, and they use up to 90% less energy. Additionally, LEDs come with many more features than a standard light. They can be dimmed, controlled via a smartphone or AI assistant, and change colors as you wish.

Switch to Efficient Appliances

Further to efficiency, replacing older appliances will significantly reduce your carbon emissions and energy use. White goods such as your fridge, washing machine, and dishwasher are prime examples. This is because these devices are historically energy-hungry. However, new models from reputable manufacturers are far more efficient, meeting modern carbon and energy standards. Therefore, if you switch to more recent models, you will contribute significantly to carbon reduction. And there's the added bonus of making considerable savings towards your electricity, gas, and water bills.

Get a Bamboo Remodel

Kitchen remodeling is among the most widely installed. When a prospective buyer views a house, the kitchen is the first place they are likely to look. Therefore, renovating a kitchen can add significant value to your asking price. However, most kitchens are made using outdated techniques and materials with a high carbon output during manufacture. As a result, people are turning to alternative materials like bamboo, one of the most sustainable woods on Earth. This moderately expensive wood provides a modern look to your kitchen because of its linear grain and light color.

Natural Cleaners

Hygiene has never been more critical than it is right now because of the Covid-19 pandemic. But many kitchen and bathroom cleaners are manufactured using highly hazardous materials. Some of the best-known brands are entirely unsustainable. However, online entrepreneurs and alternative brands such as Cheeky Panda make organic and sustainable hygiene products. Large manufacturers now offer eco-friendly versions of their established products depending on how you look at them, good or bad.