Being sustainable and environmentally conscious has never been more in fashion. Consumers and designers alike are looking to more minimalistic, sustaining and smarter ways to design kitchens, including appliances and utensils.
Sustainable Utensils
If you want to make your kitchen a more sustainable space but have a tight budget, investing in more sustainable utensils is a great place to start. Replace your plastic bowls with coconut bowls, not only are they incredibly cool, but they are made from recycled coconut shells and can be kept in good condition with just a little coconut oil rub every once in a while. Another eco-friendly utensil to swap out if bamboo cutlery and straws to replace any plastic ones you may be hanging on to. Bamboo straws are a bit more ‘teeth-friendly’ and don’t get as cold as metal ones. Beeswax wraps or silicone covers are another sustainable favourite as these replace cling-wrap. They keep your food fresh and end up being much cheaper than buying rolls of cling-wrap throughout your lifetime. Another positive for sustainable utensils is that they are usually crafted by small independent businesses so why not support a local supplier?
Kitchen Appliances
You can do your part for the environment and your wallet by investing in eco-friendly appliances. Composting might be an old-fashioned idea, but what goes around comes around! Instead of throwing your raw foods rubbish (meat, dairy, fruit, veggies) straight into the bin, compost them so you can give your garden a boost of nutrients! Leave a smaller environmental footprint by aiming to get appliances with a 5-star energy rating or a 6-star WELS water rating. These include fridges and dishwashers that will use less energy to run and less water.
Kitchen Design
If you’re renovating or just giving your kitchen a big update, look into sustainable materials for your benches. Did you know that a stainless-steel benchtop requires quite a lot of energy to produce? Also, laminate is not recyclable and will likely end up in landfill so if you’re trying to be environmentally conscious this is another material to avoid. We suggest choosing a stone bench as they are durable, easy to clean and come in a huge variety of colours and stone types so you’ll be able to find something that works well with your overall design. Another more sustainable option for your kitchen bench is timber, perfect for a coastal decor aesthetic, and be sure to use a natural sealant.
Donna Etchells - McGrath Estate Agents 