The dining area and kitchen are often the center of our home. Spend a lot of time there. We cook, eat, paint, do crafts, play, do homework, read the newspaper and work. A place where we not only use a lot of water and plastic, but also electricity.
The time has therefore come to take a critical look at our behavior in the kitchen in terms of sustainability and ecological footprint. Why: The path to a more sustainable lifestyle isn’t as difficult as many think, especially in the kitchen and dining room! We’ll tell you step-by-step how to easily add more sustainability to your home in our kitchen guide.
Sustainable materials for your kitchen
Basically, in order not to have to buy new kitchen utensils every two years, plastic-free kitchen utensils should arrive in the kitchen. This is not only good for your wallet, but also for your health, as the plastic parts can penetrate food or liquids at high temperatures. What alternatives do we recommend?
Stainless steel:
Let’s start with stainless steel utensils. It seems like everything is made of stainless steel. Since stainless steel is also a very stable material, we can expect long-lasting products. Stainless steel products are easy to clean and easy to sterilize. It is therefore no surprise that almost all industrial kitchens are made of stainless steel.
Glass:
When we think of glass in the kitchen, we probably immediately think of our glasses. But you can do so much more with the material. Yes, glass is fragile, but if you treat it with the same care you would treat a glass, glass jars, measuring cups, straws, teapots and kettles should not be a problem in the kitchen.
Ceramic:
Ceramic is made from natural raw materials and does not contain chemicals. By purchasing handmade products you support individual artists and usually always have a special piece. Ceramic can be cleaned just as hygienically and is robust, but at the same time more fragile than wood or stainless steel.
Holtz:
Wood is also a popular material for the kitchen. If you have a stainless steel pan you can also use a stainless steel spatula without any problems. Cookware made from other materials may have scratches. In such situations, it is advisable to use wooden products. These are not only sustainable and beautiful to look at, but also have an antibacterial effect. Furthermore, wood is increasingly becoming a trend as a material in furniture – so combine sustainability with trendy accents in the kitchen!
10 useful tips for more sustainable cooking
1. Use old clothes or fabric scraps instead of kitchen towels – Instead of using unnecessary amounts of kitchen towels, you can easily recycle old clothes, terry towels or other pieces of fabric and use them as cleaning rags. You can wash them over and over again and not only will you have much less waste, but you will also save money on purchased kitchen towels.
2. Wooden cutting boards instead of plastic – Wooden cutting boards not only do not dull knives, they are also antibacterial and are just as easy to clean.
3. Cookware theme: Unfortunately, Teflon pans are not at all environmentally friendly. The production of Teflon uses toxic pollutants that pollute the environment. Some scientists also warn against Teflon-coated kitchen utensils because the plastic used decomposes under heat and releases substances that are difficult to decompose.
4. Beeswax wraps instead of cling film – whether it’s jams, already cooked foods or pots, beeswax cloths keep food fresh like normal cling film. The beeswax cloths are reusable and adapt perfectly to the object to be closed. No plastic and no constantly new waste!
5. Instead of buying plastic bags, Use nets or fabric bags! The products receive a good air supply in the nets and there is no constant new plastic waste because the nets and fabric bags are reusable.
6. Tap water or water filter instead of plastic bottles. Water directly from the tap not only avoids having to carry heavy bottles and greatly reduces plastic waste, but it is also very healthy, especially here in Germany. If you still don’t like tap water, you can easily filter it again with a water filter.
7. Wooden kitchen cutlery instead of plastic – Wood does not scratch cookware and has an antibacterial effect, it is made of natural material and is harmless to health to use. Many good reasons to choose more wood in the kitchen.
8. Water bottle container – preferably glass or stainless steel. They are reusable, you save a lot of waste and you don’t endanger your health. Even with the seemingly good alternative of bamboo cups you have to be careful because they are coated with plastic, which can be particularly dangerous with hot drinks.
9. Kitchen furniture with certificate – When it comes to kitchen furniture, you should, if possible, look for the FSC seal, which proves that the wood used comes from responsible forestry and that the forests are managed in an ecologically sustainable and socially responsible way.
10. Avoid plastic kettles – As mentioned at the beginning, plastic wears out over time. Especially at high temperatures, small plastic particles can dissolve and then end up in our bodies. It is better to immediately switch to plastic-free alternatives and do something good for yourself and the environment.
Making sustainable purchases: it’s good for your health and your wallet
If you want to become even more sustainable when it comes to food, you should make sure that your Predominantly plant-based diet maintain. One while you’re shopping careful shopping list create and always fresh, locally sourced food shopping.
If Violation It seems like it’s getting difficult, dear freeze instead of throwing it away right away. If you freeze the slices of bread, they can be defrosted in the toaster even weeks later and will taste the same as the ones you just bought! This also applies to fruit and vegetables. Freeze banana pieces and then use them in a smoothie? A great alternative to disposal, especially for ripe bananas.
Sustainable kitchen products at the Baltic Design Shop
In the Baltic Design Shop you will find a special and beautiful selection of sustainable products for your kitchen! Whether coasters for cups, glasses or pots, wooden salad servers in a modern Scandi look, elegant solid wood cutting boards or plastic-saving tongs for resealing products – we have plenty of kitchen accessories for everyone who wants to make their kitchen more sustainable from now on!
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