Eco-friendly kitchen renovations: materials, practices, and appliances

According to Statista, the US generated over 35 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2021, over three times the global average that year. This means that the country is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse emissions, global warming, and climate change. 

While cars are the leading cause, your home contributes to a huge chunk, making sustainable kitchens an important home renovation project. But how do you create one? This article explains the features that make a kitchen eco-friendly and offers ideas on construction and remodeling, including the best kitchen products to use and other sustainable options. 

What are sustainable/eco kitchens?

Sustainable or eco kitchens, also known as green kitchens, encompass a range of factors that benefit the environment. These include the use of natural materials, energy-efficient appliances, and waste-reducing practices.

In particular, eco kitchens have the following salient features:

• Efficient use of available resources, such as water and energy. These may include maximizing natural light or using energy-efficient devices.
  
  

• Integration or use of environmentally friendly materials. Great examples are bio-based floor tiles made of rice straw, spent coffee grounds, clam shells, or discarded seaweed, as well as stainless-steel commercial bench tops and sinks instead of laminates and resin to mimic concrete flooring.
  
  

• Proper heating, ventilation, and insulation. A well-thought-out design minimizes excessive use of air-conditioning systems during summers and heaters during winters.
  
  

• Smart spaces. An environmentally friendly kitchen optimizes available space, minimizing the need for excess materials and resources.
  
  

• Earth-friendly methods and lifestyles. These include opting for reclaimed materials over new ones during remodeling, growing food in the backyard, or eating nutritious whole food.

Why is it important to have a sustainable kitchen?

Contrary to popular belief, with the right kitchen design team and mindset, renovating this essential part of your house can be pocket-friendly. Even better, its benefits extend to the environment. Here are the best reasons to consider designing, building, or developing sustainable kitchens:

1 . The effects of climate change can be horrendous.

As the world’s temperature rises, polar ice caps melt, increasing sea levels, causing low-lying islands to disappear gradually and displacing millions of people.

Louisiana, for example, has been losing over 20 square miles of land annually over the last decades. Some communities have already been forced to move.

2. Harmful emissions also affect your well-being.

Another significant danger of climate change and global warming is poor air quality. Higher temperatures can trigger a type of greenhouse gas called ground-level ozone, which traps atmospheric pollutants.

Consistent or long-term exposure to these substances, known as particulate matter (PM 2.5), can increase the risk of respiratory conditions, such as asthma. It also worsens the symptoms of chronic illnesses like emphysema.

If these are not enough, a 2023 study by the University College London and Francis Crick Institute suggested a link between lung cancer and particulate matter. Other types of research also implied that it could boost the chances of developing dementia, as these particles cross the blood-brain barrier.

3 . Eco-friendly kitchens can improve body and mind.

If global warming can make you sick, using wood-based materials, including reclaimed ones, could be great for physical and mental health. One theory suggests that humans are biophilic, which means we search for and form an intense connection with nature. It partly explains why nature-related activities, such as forest bathing and grounding, help keep us calm, focused, and relaxed. 

Furthermore, a 2015 Harvard double-blind study also revealed that participants who worked in “green offices” scored 61% higher in cognitive performance than those in conventional environments. In particular, they fared well in crisis response, information usage, and strategy.

Tips for sustainable kitchen renovations

Now that you know the benefits, you might be wondering how to have a sustainable kitchen. Do you need to rip your existing kitchen? Here are the top ideas on how to make your kitchen eco-friendly (and you do not have to spend a lot!):

1. Decide whether you require a new kitchen. As others say, why fix it when it is not broken? Unless you have severe issues, such as broken floor tiles or poor insulation, you can save yourself the hassle and resources of renovating a kitchen.
   
   

2. Get smart with kitchen design. If you think you can save more money and make a bigger environmental impact when you remodel, be wiser about it. First, decide what matters to estimate the project costs more effectively. Consider unfitted kitchen islands or benchtops so that you can change the look without major renovations. Invest in big windows that allow natural light to flow and promote good air circulation.
   
   

3. Switch to non-toxic paints. Traditional types of floor, wall, or cabinet paints might release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to indoor pollution.
   
   

4. Reuse materials when you can. For eco-friendly kitchen cabinets, repurpose old cabinet bodies and give them a brand-new look with a fresh coat of non-toxic paints. Do you want a bespoke kitchen? Thrift your bins and storage containers.
   
   

5. Reduce waste. Save food scraps and turn them into compost when growing your own food. Buy only what you need. If you have spent coffee grounds, you can add them to your plants for nitrogen. Donate unused appliances, plants, glasses, and cutlery instead of dumping them into landfills. Save on water and energy.
   
   

6. Shop local. Buying from your neighbors or at the farmers market helps reduce your carbon footprint because these goods do not travel far and, therefore, do not consume a lot of gas. You can also help your economy.

Tips for selecting sustainable kitchen products

A green kitchen will not exist without equally sustainable products, but not all might be worth a spot in your home. Here are some tips when buying eco-friendly kitchenware and appliances:

• Know the maker. If you are buying wood, does it come with a forest certification from a reputable certifier such as Forest Stewardship Council? Is the manufacturing process resource intensive? Does it use an insane amount of water or energy, such as electricity? Are the source materials ethically acquired?
  
  

• Invest in energy-efficient appliances. Newer appliances in the US, such as heat-pump dishwashers, can have two energy labels. The yellow EnergyGuide label by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shows the estimated energy use and operating cost of the product. The blue square tag is the Energy Star rating by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It indicates that the appliance has passed the energy efficiency criteria of the agency.
  
  

• Ditch the plastic bags. If you can manage to do only one thing for sustainability, it is to avoid using plastic at all costs. They do not decay in landfills, pollute the waters and impact the marine environment, and use a lot of water to produce. Some studies also said that they could affect hormone balance. Instead, embrace more sustainable materials, such as canvas tote bags or recycled glass jars for storage.

Achieve a sustainable kitchen with Airtasker

Building a green kitchen is good for your health and the planet, benefiting you and future generations. But sometimes, the idea seems intimidating and overwhelming. You might struggle to develop a plan incorporating all the tips and ideas in this article.

Airtasker is here to help you find professionals to help you with kitchen renovation, design, and planning. Many can recommend the best sustainable kitchen materials based on your house’s layout, goals, and needs.

Make creating a sustainable home and lifestyle easier. Create an account at Airtasker today, post your job description, and get proposals from experts in your local area.

Reference list

1. Statista
2. U.S. Geological Survey
3. Wiley Online Library
4. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
5. Endocrine Society