Simple kitchen switches to live more sustainably
2020-05-18
Here are some simple kitchen switches to kickstart your eco-friendly journey.
There’s no longer a need to use food and cleaning products that are harmful to the environment. For every kitchen essential, there is an environmentally mindful option, and investing in even some of these is another way to live a more sustainable life.
These are some of the most simple kitchen switches to kickstart your environmental journey in the kitchen!
1. Switch plastic straws for reusable alternatives
Billions of plastic straws pollute the world's oceans, and there's no reason to still be buying plastic straws when so many better performing, sustainable alternatives are now widely available. Metal straw sets come with a handy little cleaning brush, and bamboo or paper are also an eco-friendly option. Thankfully, many cafes and restaurants have now eradicated plastic straws from their stores, and offer sustainable straws instead.
2. Switch plastic cups and cutlery for real crockery
Investing in good quality, durable kitchen equipment made from more sustainable materials than plastic is a must so that we can protect the future of our planet. While most of us have ceramic cups and crockery and stainless steel cutlery, there’s still the issue of overuse of plastic for big catering events or even small picnics. If you can’t use long term kitchen essentials, invest in some sustainable alternatives made from bamboo. Even paper is a better option than plastic if you must choose. Check out our blog detailing more sustainable packaging ideas!
3. Switch regular bin bags for compostable ones
Bin bags (or bin liners) are something we really cannot do without in our homes, but we can make better choices in regards to the bags we do consume. Thankfully, many waste and household management companies are now offering environmentally-friendly, biodegradable and compostable bin liners. Bags made of plant starch break down over time, whereas regular bin bags do not. While you’re switching to sustainable bin liners, pick up some small ones too to take with you and your pooch on your daily walks! Of course, it goes without saying that minimising your household waste in general will result in less rubbish and less rubbish bags!
4. Switch paper towel for tea towels
Your mum and Gran didn’t waste money on paper towels and single-use paper cleaning products. They relied on tried and trusted tea towels or even simple washable rags for cleaning surfaces - and you should too! Be sure to wash these very regularly as they are breeding grounds for bacteria, but as they are cheap and long-lasting, you should invest in some good quality tea towels and keep a stack handy in a kitchen drawer!
5. Switch cleaning wipes for cleaning cloths
As with swapping paper towels for tea towels, you should definitely try to eliminate single-use cleaning wipes from your household. With the COVID-19 pandemic, these have sold out across the world and stores are predicting it will be a long while until stocks are fully replenished. Take this as an opportunity to eradicate them from your cleaning product caddy. Instead, opt for long-term alternatives such as rags or tea towels. Even cleaning cloths, albeit short term, are better options for the environment that wipes that already come soaked in product and are only good for one use before being thrown out.
6. Switch to sustainable food brands
More and more, big and small brands alike are coming on board the sustainability train, and this includes some pretty impressive food brands! We recently published a blog listing 5 of the best sustainable food brands in Australia, which is a good place to start. La Española Olive Oil is also proud to be paving the way for more sustainability in the olive oil industry. Our range of products are 100% recyclable, and our PET gallon formats are made from recycled plastic. Pick yours up at Coles nationwide.
7. Switch to natural cleaning products
Gone are the days when toxic home cleaning products were the standard and all that was available on the market. Now, there’s an endless array of non-toxic and natural cleaning products available that are just as hardworking as their noxious neighbours. Or, save money and waste and make your own quickly and easily! Pantry staples such as white vinegar and baking soda make amazing natural cleaners, and there’s a huge variety of DIY home cleaning product tutorials available on the Internet.
8. Switch to energy efficient appliances
That star rating sticker on appliances when you’re shopping isn’t just for show - it’s an important indicator of how environmentally friendly the purchase is. Investing in high quality appliances with a high energy rating may hurt the hip pocket initially, but could in fact last you decades and are a great return on investment. Appliances that consume less power are key to not only lowering your own power bills but saying power consumption in general, and old and malfunctioning appliances - like fridges with broken seals - should be replaced or regularly serviced.
9. Switch list-free shopping for a planned shop
Planning your meals and grocery shops isn’t just an efficient way to keep the household budget in check, but also a method for reducing household waste and doing your bit for the environment. Plan your shops ahead of time, making a physical list of exactly what you need and even planning meals for yourself or your family for the week in a notebook or on a whiteboard. Buying only what you need will reduce unnecessary waste created by out of date food, but will also keep your wallet healthy. Many stores offer cash-saving specials for buying in bulk, so take advantage of these when you can.
Did you enjoy this handy blog about making your home more sustainable? The La Española blog is full of other helpful content focused on eco-friendly living, including “10 Creative Ways To Reuse Your La Española Mini Bottles”, “10 Big Brands That Are Embracing Sustainable Practices”, “The Impact Of Your Daily Coffee On The Environment” - plus so much more!
