75% of UK adults are concerned about climate change, with 83% of those worried reportedly making at least one environmentally friendly adaptation to their lifestyle last year.
The most common of these? To avoid throwing away food.
In 2022, the environmental focus is stronger still, as the world becomes increasingly aware of the need to make changes to the way we do things. As a new year begins, bringing with it renewed determination to ‘go green’ and ‘do our bit’, what better place to start making changes than in the kitchen?
Planning a new kitchen and wondering how to go about it? Or just keen to make a few adjustments where you can? Either way, The Marble Store reveal how a few small changes can go a long way towards creating an eco-friendly kitchen.
How to ‘go green’ in the kitchen
· Make sustainable choices
‘Reduce, reuse, and recycle’ is the mantra we all need to try and uphold, to prevent items from unnecessarily going to waste and landfill.
A great way to do this is to source reclaimed materials and furniture for your kitchen. Not only does this reduce the impact on natural resources and energy, but it’s a terrific way to add unique personality and style to your kitchen – and save money!
Take time to consider the materials you intend to use in your kitchen. Composite surfaces, like quartz, often contain recycled elements, making them a more environmentally-friendly choice. Surfaces such as granite are easy to repurpose and put to good use when they are no longer required as a worktop.
Look closely at your sink choice, too. Many stainless steel sinks are produced using recycled materials – and can be recycled again when no longer in use.
· Make recycling easy
Why make things harder than they need to be? The key to keeping up with good intentions is to make doing so as easy as possible.
So, when it comes to rethinking your kitchen, creating a designated recycling area is essential.
Whether it’s an under-counter recycling bin to separate waste, finding a convenient spot to store leftover food for composting, or fitting a small expanse of extra worktop to house empty containers – take the hassle out of recycling and you’re far more likely to stick with it.
· Re-use your old kitchen
Replacing your old kitchen? Before you rip it out, could it be re-used? Often it can!
Opt to keep cabinets and simply replace doors and work surfaces and you will not only reduce waste, you’ll also save time and a whole heap of money too!
Even if you no longer want it, it’s likely someone else will. A quick search online will reveal a number of charities, where your kitchen will be gratefully received and given a new lease of life.
· Fix that dripping tap
A dripping tap wastes at least 5,500 litres of water a year – that’s enough to fill a paddling pool every week for the whole summer.
Wow. That’s a lot of wasted water.
It’s also wasted money. A leak of one drip per second can up your water bill by 6%.
Worth getting that leaky kitchen tap looked at then!
· Choose energy-efficient appliances
On the subject of taps, another way to reduce energy waste is to invest in a boiling water tap.
Many of us are guilty of boiling more water than we need. A boiling water tap prevents this, helping to minimise waste and making it easy to save both water and energy.
It’s not just the kettle that needs consideration. Fridges, freezers, microwaves, hobs, cookers – you name it – all come with an energy rating label. So be sure to do your research.
What’s good for the environment is inevitably good for your pocket too, with energy-efficient appliances helping to cut down bills.
· Lighting
When it comes to electric lighting, LED is best. With an impressively long lifespan, they are hugely energy efficient and reduce waste.
Remember too, that worktop choice can also impact lighting levels. Light-hued, glossy surfaces – and particularly those with mirrored flecks – reflect more light and reduce the need to switch the ‘big light’ on.
To find out more about how worktop choice can impact your kitchen and help with a more environmentally friendly lifestyle, why not talk to a member of The Marble Store team?
With a huge amount of experience in providing quality kitchen worktops, we can help you to find the right surface for your kitchen, budget, and environmental aims.
Get in touch using our contact form, email [email protected], or call us on 0800 470 3183. We’d love to help!
