5 Ways to be Green in the Kitchen

photo of a mother and daughter baking holiday cookiesBaking for the holidays may be high on your priority list right now, but take a minute to think about the waste and air quality that will be created. Going green in the kitchen during your busiest time, can demonstrate how simple it is to make green habits an every day routine. Check out these tips, brought to you by Sustainable Investment Group (SIG), and feel good about your new green outlook.

1. Wasteful Paper Towels

TV commercials love to show you the absorption rate of paper towels. This way, you become programmed to grab a paper towel whenever there is a spill. Before you know it, an entire roll is spent and wadded up in the trash can, ready to be whisked away to a landfill. Pick up a package of cloth diapers and have one available in your kitchen for wiping up messes, cleaning counter tops and more. Your paper waste will be reduced and a quick wash will make your new cloths as good as new.

2. Glass versus Plastic

Plastic is going to end up in the trash. It is not meant to be used over and over again. Studies have shown that the chemicals that are used to create plastic can leach into foods that they contain. Glass may be more cumbersome, but you can be certain that it is safe and reusable after a trip to the dishwasher. It is also recyclable.

photo showing organic cleaners with baking soda and lemon3. Stop with the Chemicals

You may think that the scent of cleaners represents cleanliness, but quite the opposite. Perfumes are added to household cleaners to cover up the overpowering smell of chemicals. Learn how to clean green with lemon, baking soda and vinegar and see amazing results.
These items disinfect, sanitize and can do a better job at keeping your kitchen smelling naturally fresh.

4. Use Safe Candles

Almost everyone uses candles, especially during the holidays. The great smell of cinnamon, baked apples, or evergreen adds just the right touch to the seasonal spirit. Before picking up those charming scents for the kitchen, read the label carefully. If they are not made from beeswax, soy or vegetable oil, you could be adding toxins to inside air with petroleum-based wax.

5. Plan to Avoid Numerous Trips to the Store

It never fails. Right in the middle of a recipe, you find that there is a missing ingredient. You have to have it, no matter the cost. Avoid wasting money and gas by sitting down the day before and completing a list of needed supplies. This can save money and gas for those last minute trips.

It does not have to be difficult to change your mindset for thinking green. The kitchen is the perfect place to start. By using the holidays as a starting point, everyday habits will be formed. If you would like more information on how to make your entire home or office more eco-friendly, visit Sustainable Investment Group (SIG), where energy efficiency can put you on the right path to a greener future.

© 2015 Sustainable Investment Group (SIG). All Rights Reserved.