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!
