This is a guest post by Joaquin Erazo. If you want to guest post on this blog, see the guidelines here.
Maintaining a green kitchen does not have to be a difficult question. With 40 easy tips, your kitchen will be green in no time.
1. Create a compost jar. Toss items such as banana peels and eggshells into a tight container under your sink, then dump the compost onto your garden.
2. Keep old grocery bags in a cabinet and reuse them the next time you go out to the store.
3. Collect quality, takeout plastic containers to store leftover food in.
4. Make your own eco-friendly cleaning solution by mixing white vinegar, water and baking soda in a clean spray bottle.
5. Reuse old sponges by running them through the dishwasher.
6. Use butter to grease pans and plates, instead of anti-stick sprays that can be dangerous for the environment.
7. Grow your own herbs on your windowsills, using small potted plants that regrow when you cut the ends.
8. Use long-lasting light bulbs for overhead lighting in your kitchen and dining spaces.
9. Stop using paper plates and plastic forks, which create extra waste.
10. Use natural fibers and materials when designing your kitchen, such as a cork board backsplash and wood cabinetry.
11. Stop using aerosol sprays, which contaminate the environment. Instead, light candles that smell sweet.
12. Do not leave stovetop lights on longer than necessary.
13. Make sure refrigerators and freezers are set on low settings.
14. Similarly, keep the fridge and freezer doors tightly closed.
15. Use a mop to clean up footprints from the kitchen, not paper towels.
16. Likewise, use cloths or sponges to clean counters, instead of disposable paper towels.
17. Institute the use of cloth napkins on your dinner table, which saves the waste of paper napkins.
18. Place recycling bins next to the trash can and sort through paper, plastic, glass and aluminum.
19. Stop using disposable aluminum pans to bake dishes in.
20. Turn off all the lights in the kitchen when not in use.
21. Do not leave the water running when you wash the dishes.
22. Use a water filter on your faucet instead of plastic water bottles.
23. Do not use any Styrofoam products in the kitchen.
24. Ask for paper grocery bags when you bring groceries home.
25. Store fruit and vegetables in the fridge to make them last longer.
26. Collect newspaper to use when washing the kitchen windows.
27. Feed unwanted scraps to family pets.
28. Use a manual can opener instead of an electric one.
29. Chop vegetables instead of using an electric processor.
30. Use as few burners as possible at one time.
31. Open windows in the kitchen instead of running a fan.
32. Open the kitchen curtains to let the light in and turn off the electric lamps.
33. Do not keep a television in the kitchen.
34. Use a battery operated radio in the kitchen.
35. Keep windows and doors closed when the air condition or heat is on.
36. Create a vegetable garden in your back yard.
37. Use old jars to keep dry ingredients on your counter.
38. Grow your own flowers for dining table centerpieces.
39. Collect excess water from the sink to water the plants.
40. Involve the family in maintaining green practices.
Joaquin Erazo, Jr. blogs for Case Remodeling and offers a number of helpful kitchen remodeling tips for homeowners at https://casedesign.com/
