Go Green in Your Kitchen and Help Rescue the Planet!

by | Jul 27, 2014 | 2, 4, 5, Articles

<h2 style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt"><font size="3" color="#990000">Go Green in Your Kitchen and Help Rescue the Planet!</font></h2><p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">With the idea of going green constantly growing in popularity, the need for eco-friendly kitchen materials is ever increasing. Whether it is sustainable floors, energy star rated appliances, or counter tops made from recycled materials, we all want to do our part to cut down on our carbon footprint. Here are a few of the most popular eco-friendly materials that can make your kitchen more eco-friendly so you can do your part to help improve the environment.</span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt"><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">First, consider using bamboo. While the most commonly used floors in most kitchens are tile, vinyl or even hardwood, bamboo is quickly growing in popularity as sustainable alternatives. While forests are being depleted in an effort to meet the construction markets demand for hardwood, bamboo is an environmentally friendly alternative. Bamboo grows so quickly that the amount that is harvested to make one floor is quickly replaced within a short amount of time. The same root system can supply a never ending supply of bamboo which eliminates the need to re-plant trees.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/2b.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/2b.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Second, consider recyclable countertops. While granite may be one of the most popular materials used for countertops in the kitchen, the use of recycled materials is quickly gaining ground. With the choice of glass, end grain bamboo, paper or even aluminum you can find a look that makes your kitchen unique while being environmentally friendly at the same time. Glass counters are made up of recycled glass from a variety of sources, most commonly bottles that would have normally ended up in the landfill.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">End grain bamboo is environmentally friendly because it is renewable. Paper counters are made from consumer paper waste that has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Aluminum is also a popular product as it can be used for both counters and sinks. All are made from recycled materials that can be recycled yet again once they reach the end of their usefulness.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Lastly, consider only energy savvy appliances. While they may not be made from renewable sources, they can help you decrease your carbon footprint. Energy star appliances use much less energy than their unrated counterparts, which makes them much more affordable to run. But this savings is not without a cost. Electric-induction cooktops have also found their way into many homes as an environmental alternative.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">These cooktops heat your food by transferring the electromagnetic energy directly to the pan which allows it to use half the energy of its less expensive electric counterparts. Dishwashers are also joining the realm of being energy savvy. Unless you have the free time to wash every dish by hand that your family uses, odds are your dishwasher is one of the most prized appliances in your kitchen. Models now exist that utilize less water than handwashing. The only downside is the energy efficient appliances usually cost more than the unrated counterparts, but their savings more than make up for the initial cost.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/2a.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/2a.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">These are just a few of the popular environmentally friendly materials that you can use in your kitchen. Consider using sustainable products for your floors and recycled products for your counters and you will be on your way to having the most unique kitchen on the block while helping to reduce your effects on the environment at the same time.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>About the Author</strong></p>  <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">The author Susan Pitters co-ordinates a group of designers who have had many years of designing and remodeling experience. As passionate renovators, they have created a website dedicated to passing on all that they have learned through designing and carrying out countless renovations. <a href="http://www.clever-kitchen-designs.com" target="_blank">http://www.clever-kitchen-designs.com</a> </span></p></span>