Embrace sustainability in your kitchen
In an era when everything moves so fast, it can be hard to slow down and ask how your day to day habits may impact the world. There are obvious ways to decrease your carbon footprint, such as using public transportation rather than driving, or giving up vehicles entirely and taking a bike. However, there are ways inside of your home you can also help decrease your carbon footprint. This article will cover sustainable habits you can adopt in your kitchen as soon as today. The kitchen is often described as the “heart of the home”. It’s where all fuel is fostered through food and meaningful connections. That makes it the perfect place to begin switching to sustainable habits. Here are some steps you can take to start your journey toward a more eco-friendly kitchen:
Reduce Food Waste
Food waste is a large contributor to pollution. By avoiding as much waste as possible, you are decreasing your carbon footprint. How can you get started? Begin by properly planning out each of your meals. Meal prepping helps avoid over cooking by carefully measuring out how many servings are made. Stop grocery shopping on an empty stomach, and write a list before you go to the store. Buying more than what you need puts you at risk of accumulating food waste in the event the food goes bad before someone can eat it. You can also reduce food waste by getting creative with leftovers, cooking them with new meals or freezing them for a later time is also a great way to reduce food waste.
2. Ditch Single-Use Plastics
A single-use plastic is an object made of plastic that is only intended for singular use, such as a sandwich bag or plastic wrap. There are alternatives for all single use plastics. Rather than using plastic grocery bags, try reusable ones, instead. Replace your single-use plastic bags with reusable silicone bags or cloth bags for storing food. You should also consider using glass or stainless steel containers instead of plastic ones for storing leftovers. Instead of plastic cling wrap, opt for beeswax wrap or silicone lids to cover bowls and plates. Stop buying plastic water bottles and get a reusable one instead. You can also ditch plastic straws and invest in metal ones. Rather than using plastic utensils, choose something you can wash and reuse.
3. Embrace Plant-Based Options
Incorporating more plant-based meals into your diet is one of the most effective ways to reduce your environmental impact. Plant-based diets typically require fewer resources, such as water and land, and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to animal-based diets. The process of producing food for livestock (feed crops) generates the greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide. There is a diverse world of fruits, veggies, grains, and legumes just waiting for you to discover. Try experimenting with them in the kitchen!
4. Choose Locally Sourced and Seasonal Ingredients
Selecting foods that are locally sourced helps reduce the carbon footprint of food caused with transportation. Choosing food sourced locally also helps support local farmers. Seasonal foods are often fresher, tastier, and packed with nutrients, making it a win-win both for your health and the environment!
5. Conserve Energy and Water
Conserving energy and water usage is a great way to increase sustainability in the kitchen. Cooking with lids on pots and pans helps to retain heat and reduce cooking time. Thus, exhausting less energy. When washing dishes, scrape off food residue instead of pre-rinsing, and wait until you have a full load before running the dishwasher. You could even look into investing in energy-efficient appliances, such as induction cooktops and convection ovens, to save energy and water usage.
6. Support Sustainable Brands
When purchasing kitchen equipment, utensils, and cleaning products, choose brands that prioritize sustainability and ethical production practices. Look for certifications such as Fair Trade, USDA Organic, or B Corporation to ensure that your purchases align with your values. If you're a seafood enthusiast, make informed choices by selecting sustainably sourced seafood. Look for certifications such as Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) to ensure that your seafood is harvested or farmed responsibly, without harming marine ecosystems or depleting fish stocks.
7. Grow Your Own Produce/Herbs
Not only does gardening provide access to fresh, organic produce, but it also fosters a deeper connection to nature and it will motivate you to continue adopting sustainable practices. Your food will taste fresher, and your appreciation for fresh food will increase. You can start small too! Cultivate a small herb garden before venturing off into growing your own fruits and vegetables. Your garden can be as small as a few pots on a windowsill, or as large as it taking over your kitchen. It is important to remind you that gardening takes patience. All in good time.
Just as it is in gardening, it’s important to be patient with yourself as you begin your journey in sustainable living habits. You will make mistakes, there will be backtracking, and sometimes contributing to greenhouse gas emissions is unavoidable. Go easy on yourself, and keep trying your best.
