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Step 1
Choose cabinets made from recycled or renewable materials, such as bamboo. Today there are many eco-friendly alternatives for cabinetry such as reclaimed timber and wheatboard, with non-toxic finishes.
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Step 2
“Green” countertops are also available. Engineered stone, a quartz composite material, comes in a variety of colors and is both durable and easy to clean. Another option is to use recycled tile or other countertop materials from a previous kitchen remodeling project.
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Step 3
Flooring made from renewable resources such as cork and bamboo not only looks beautiful, but is also environmentally responsible. Linoleum is regaining popularity as well for its “green” attributes, being made from wood flour, linseed oil and rosin.
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Step 4
There are many eco-friendly lighting options that can save on energy consumption such as using fluorescent bulbs and LED lighting. Installing dimmers and motion sensors which monitor the amount of light needed by automatically turning on and off can also decrease the amount of energy used.
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Step 5
The appliances in the kitchen are huge energy consumers, and by choosing appliances with the Energy Star label you will not only be saving energy, but also saving money from your power company.
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Step 6
There are many ways you can save water in your kitchen as well, such as choosing faucets with aerators that pump air into the water stream. Also, installing recirculation pumps allow for hot water to stay in the tap, which means you don’t have to waste water while waiting for it to warm up.
