Going Greener in the Kitchen.

Kitchens = Cooking, cleaning, partying; it is the room of choice for family and guests. It is also the room where the most waste in your home is produced. Food, electricity, water, and packaging all contribute to having a larger environmental footprint. Read on to see what you can do to green it up while saving money and the planet.

ELECTRICITY

1. The Phantom Load: How many things do you have plugged in around your kitchen? How often do you use the toaster, toaster oven, coffee maker, grinder, blender etc.? If any of your smaller appliances have clocks or LED lights and you are leaving them plugged in 24/7/365 you are essentially sucking unused energy and wasting money. About 10% of your electrical bill is going towards items that are not even being used - YIKES. Unplug rarely used items and you will stop burning coal and cut down on emissions from power plants while keeping more money in your wallet.
   
   You can also rent a KILL-A-WATT from the public library to see what all of your plugged in items around your home are burning up while in the off, stand-by or on mode.
   
   For a demo check this out....
   
   http://www.youtube.com
   
   
2. When you are cooking save electricity and cook more efficiently by following these steps:
   
   -Use the right size pot for the burner to capture all the heat
   -When bringing water to a boil use a lid to keep in the heat
   -Turn off your burner a few minutes ahead of schedule to use the residual heat
   -If you have the convection option with your oven use it to save time and cook more items at once
   -If you are cooking something for a long period in your oven there is no need to pre-heat. Also, turn off the oven a few minutes ahead of schedule when doing lasagnas or casserole type dishes and use the heat already generated.
   -Cook in bulk. Make lots while the heat is already on and freeze for later.
   
   
3. When purchasing new appliances try to buy ENERGY STAR ones. If there is no energy star options, pick the most energy efficient ones. Dishwashers, fridges and freezers are all apart of the ENERGY STAR program. Learn which ones earn the star....
   
   http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca

WATER WASTE

1. Run a fully loaded dishwasher with certified green powder or liquid at off peak energy hours.
   To green your dishwasher click on this link....
   
   http://planetgreen.discovery.com
   
   
2. Don't leave your rinse water running when doing dishes by hand. So simple....yet so easily forgotten.
   
   
3. Use a water waste bucket to collect everyone's left over water and to collect pasta and veggie water. Then water your outside plants or trees with it.
   
   
4. Treasure our water. We are very lucky to have the resources we do and a predicted water shortage is coming. Avoid drinking bottled water unless absolutely necessary. Take your own water in a reusable container.
   
   Have a look here....
   http://www.canadians.org
   
   http://www.otterbottle.ca

FOOD AND PACKAGING WASTE

1. Try your best to buy seasonal produce and support local farmers, growers and merchants. Step it up some more and buy organic! Yes, I know we would live on potatoes all winter if we only bought local....but during the summer months you can support closer producers. It means less food kilometers have been used and less carbon emitted to get your food to you.
   
   
   What are the most pesticide laden fruits and veggies? Check out the list at http://www.foodnews.org
   
   
2. Of course you take your own grocery bags...what about your own produce bags? There are many great options for reusable produce bags. Go to http://www.moukisac.com
   
   
3. Avoid over packaged, processed and individually portioned food items. The less packaging benefits the planet, the less additives and preservatives benefits you and your family.
   
   
4. How much of your total garbage waste could be composted? Over 30%! Although Calgary sadly lags behind in offering curbside pick up of your compostables, you can either vermicompost (worms) or have one going out back. For more information go to....
   http://www.greencalgary.org
   

GREEN COOKWARE

For safer, "greener" cookware and storage options consider the following:

1. Avoid plastics #3, 6 and 7 and NEVER, EVER, EVER put plastic in the microwave. "Microwave safe" is protecting the plastic NOT your health.
   
   
2. Use glass for storage as it is inert and does not leach as some plastics do. Use silicon, bamboo or stainless cooking utensils.
   
   
3. Use stainless steel, cast iron and enamel based cast iron and avoid TEFLON or traditional non-stick cookware. Why?...
   
   http://www.thegoodhuman.com
   
   http://planetgreen.discovery.com
   
   If you still want non-stick choose safer brands....
   http://www.greenstrides.com

Thanks for doing your part. A greener kitchen equals a healthier family and a healthier planet.