Ways To Go Green in the Kitchen

Going green doesn’t have to be all or nothing. These are four simple changes you can implement in the kitchen that will make a positive impact on the environment and your health.

When you decide to “go green" or be more Eco-friendly, it can definitely be a little overwhelming. From ditching plastic water bottles, to researching ingredients in the body care products you buy, to opting for reusable products instead of disposable ones…it is a big chance for many.

However, living green doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing and all of those changes do not need to come immediately. I recommend making a few small changes here and there as you go. You could even go room-by-room!

1. REPLACE YOUR PLASTIC COOKING UTENSILS WITH BAMBOO OR STAINLESS STEEL UTENSILS.

Why? The toxins in cooking utensils can leach into your food when using them. You may have noticed some of the plastic has melted if you’ve introduced your utensils to super high heat. This is definitely a sign that plastic has gotten into your food. Even BPA-free utensils contain toxic and synthetic ingredients.

How? Switching out your utensils is a fairly cheap way to have a more green and eco-friendly kitchen. Bamboo utensils are super inexpensive to buy. Stainless steel typically costs a little more than bamboo, but it’s a great investment since they last a long time. Donate your plastic utensils to a shelter or thrift store so they don’t end up in a landfill.

2.SAVE AND REUSE GLASS JARS.

Why? Glass jars are super durable and work great as storage containers and drinking glasses. Saving glass jars will allow you to cut back on the plastic containers and cups in your kitchen. As mentioned above, plastic will leach toxins in your food. Plastic is also pretty terrible for the environment. Saving glass jars will help to eliminate your need to buy plastic products.

How? Whenever you are at the grocery store, take a look at the different products and what they are packaged in. Most are probably plastic, but there are plenty of products packaged in glass as well. Opt to purchase your food in glass containers instead of plastic. Save your jelly jars and pickle jars. You can find a use for nearly every glass jar out there. There are many ways to put these glass jars to use: To drink out of, to store leftovers in, as pen holders, and plenty more.

3. COOK WITH CAST IRON PANS.

Why? Assess what type of cooking pots and pans you have already. The most popular cookware is non-stick. However, the toxins used to create that non-stick surface will leach into and scrape off into your food. Manufacturing non-stick cookware also produces a lot of air pollution and is a hazard to the environment. Read more reasons to switch to cast iron.

How? Cast iron pans may seemingly come with a heftier price tag than non-stick cookware does. However, because it is impossible to scrape any coating off (because they have none) and ruin cast iron pans, they will last you far longer than any other type of cookware. Pass them down and your grandchildren can even use them years from now! Plus, they really are not that expensive unless you are going for a high end brand. Cast iron cookware is also pretty simple to care for – learn how to clean cast iron.

4. ELIMINATE PAPER PRODUCTS AND SWITCH TO REUSABLE PRODUCTS.

Why? While paper products seem more convenient in the here-and-now, in the long run you are wasting money and resources. 35% of the trees cut down by industries are used for paper products. They are also typically packaged in plastic. Plastic is a major issue in ocean pollution, so it’s best to cut this out wherever you can.

How? Buying a big pack of towels can nearly eliminate your need for paper products (and save you a ton of cash.) I also highly recommend purchasing some reusable scrubbers for washing dishes – they can be thrown right in the washer and reused again and again. Monkee’s Yarns on Etsy sells super effective and affordable dish scrubbers made entirely from cotton, and not synthetic materials!