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The kitchen is the most practical room in the home. It’s where we have most of our non-entertainment-driven tech, it’s where we do more cleaning than any other room in the home and, of course, it’s used to store and prepare food. As such, it’s also the room that is likely to see the most waste in the household. But you can make it more sustainable by paying a little more attention to what you throw out.
Picture Source – Pixabay License
Mind how you use water
One of the sustainability topics that has been coming up frequently as of late is that of water. Some of us have already had experience with water quotas due to shortages in local reserves. Water-saving faucets for the sinks can play a huge role in reducing the amount of water you use. However, there are also tips that don’t involve high investments, such as reusing cooking water to wash with, or waiting until you have a full load before you run the dishwasher or washing machine.
The question of food waste
Looking at the tip above, you may argue that sustainability, in many cases, is not affordable. You’re right, it can take no small investment to live a greener life in your kitchen. But that’s not true when it comes to food waste. In fact, by being more financially responsible, you can cut both your food budget and food waste. Meal planning apps can help you plan meals across the week that take from a limited pool of ingredients, ensuring you use all of those ingredients while also ensuring your grocery list remains slender.
Don’t be so quick to replace appliances
There is some point where every appliance becomes more cost-effective to replace than to repair. However, most do not get to that point and will be thrown away at the first inconvenience. However, it can be much cheaper to repair it, especially if you DIY it. If you find your model number for your washing machine or dryer, you can easily find all manner of replacement parts online. Keep a few spares so that, if you have a recurring issue, you can quickly get on top of it instead of having to replace it or pay for marked-up repairs.
Use more reliable cookware
Teflon might be convenient for cooking on, but one of the biggest problems with it is how quickly the coating can wear away, leaving you with some sub-standard cookware. In general, you should always ask about the shelf life of your utensils, cookware, and other hand-held cooking tools. Stainless steel and cast iron tend to be the most reliable materials you will find in any kitchen. If you’re opting for wood, make sure it’s high-quality. Plastic, on the other hand, is more likely to warp or even melt in the kitchen.
If you’re trying to live more sustainably, then you need to look at where you’re producing most of your waste. You’re likely to find it’s in the kitchen and that the tips above can help.
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