Getting organised in the kitchen involves more than ensuring we can find what we need in our cupboards and drawers. We also consider need to consider the environment and the extra steps we can take in the kitchen that will have an immediate impact on both how we live and how we impact our environment.
Those steps may include basic recycling of plastics, papers, metal and such. But how else can you help our environment? Better yet is there a way to help our environment and become that much healthier? The good news is that, yes, there is!
If you drink bottled water, consider stopping. Install a good filter system on your faucet and use tap water. Bottled water leaves a large footprint on our environment as it consumes valuable resources such as water and oil to create the plastic bottles and then fuel to transport the bottles to shops. Also, bottled water takes away much of what the body really needs in ways of iron, magnesium and other minerals. Drinking filtered water is cheaper and healthier for you and the environment. Very little plastics are being used in comparison with cases of empty water bottles that pollute our environment and fuel isn't being used as much to transport.
How about those pesticides sprayed on your foods that aren't good for you and interfere with the true taste of foods? Buy organic food or grow your own. Buying local helps that much more. Once again, less fuel for transport is being used and you are also helping your community financially as well. If you have the time and space, having your own garden is a great way of helping keep your kitchen green.
Your appliances can also be a major contributing factor to a greener kitchen. Buying energy saving Energy Star appliances will cut down on the usage of electricity which in turn will affect the rising cost of electricity and the depletion of water in which electricity is conducted from.
Going green in our kitchens also includes cooking green. Plan meals ahead of time so you aren't scrambling to pick up something convenient, which is likely to be less healthy and wrapped in more energy-hogging packaging. Consider making your own soups instead of buying canned soup. Buy organic coffee beans and grind them at home. Grow your own herbs such as basil, thyme, and parsley. Growing your own herbs is cheaper, tastier, and fresher and you can also green up your balcony or windowsill!
Go to your kitchen, go through your cupboards and make a list of things that you can change to start turning your kitchen and cooking green. This will help you and your family and the environment both in the short and long term.