The conscious and careful use of natural resources is increasingly becoming the focus. It is therefore not surprising that many households are looking for options to join this trend. Furnishing and renovating kitchens is an ideal way to make your own four walls more environmentally friendly and sustainable. If you take enough time and allow diverse aspects to flow into the planning, you will soon be able to look forward to your own sustainable cuisine. You are also welcomed to make an appointment for a consultation with our experts from es kitchens!
How is sustainable cuisine defined?
Sustainable kitchens are based on many different factors that do not necessarily have to go hand in hand. Depending on individual preferences, sustainability can affect certain elements or the entire kitchen area. The focus here is not only on the electronic devices, but also on surfaces and work surfaces. While the latter is primarily about the origin of the materials used, all electrical devices should be highly energy-efficient and manufactured to a high quality to guarantee a long service life.
Surfaces made of wood are particularly sustainable.
Wood has proven to be particularly sustainable. However, sustainability is only guaranteed if the origin of the wood is considered when purchasing, because not all wood is the same. If the kitchen is made from tropical wood, it is by no means sustainable, as any wood is produced by the deforestation of tropical forests. Domestic woods that are based on sustainable forestry, on the other hand, are very suitable. The PEFC seal can be used as an indicator for sustainable kitchen furniture. This signals that the wood used does not come from questionable or inadmissible sources and instead is sustainably obtained under regulated forestry.
Sustainability with small elements
Once nature-friendly woods and energy-efficient electrical appliances have been found, sustainable cuisine is on the right track. However, there are many kitchen aids in the kitchen, such as decorative elements or containers, to which too little attention is often paid. So, who’s taking the big steps of planning has completed, can then deal with the sustainability of the kitchen on a small scale. Plastic tableware, for example, is one of the most environmentally harmful mass-produced items that can be found in many households and is by no means sustainable. There are different options for not only using sustainable tableware, but also skillfully staging it to provide sustainable cuisine with a unique charm. It should always be borne in mind that plastic products are based on non-polluting and environmentally unfriendly petroleum. While they are extremely easy to clean and maintain, they are exactly the opposite of what sustainable cooking has in terms of environmental benefits. Instead, it is advisable to look around for kitchen gadgets, dishes and cutlery that are made of recyclable or rapidly renewable raw materials.
Advantages and disadvantages of sustainability in kitchens
Whenkitchen renovating or refurbishing, costs always play a decisive role. When it comes to electronic devices, there are hardly any differences nowadays between a device that is sustainable and less energy-efficient devices. But even if the devices for a sustainable kitchen cost a little more money to buy, in most cases they will pay for themselves after just a few years. The reason for this can be found in the mentioned energy efficiency. The more time goes by, the less energy they use compared to lower efficiency devices. As a result, the annual expenses decrease.
A little more foresight is required for kitchen furniture. If these are made of plastic, they are often the cheapest option. However, such furniture is often neither durable nor sustainable, as it is difficult to recycle. Materials such as wood, on the other hand, are more expensive and are noticeable in the calculation. This aspect must not be ignored. On the other hand, it should be noted that the sustainable kitchen based on wooden elements allows a multitude of design options and the durability is significantly higher than with plastic elements.
If your future kitchen is made of wood, you do not have to expect that the sustainable kitchen will look like the old pine wood of earlier decades after the kitchen renovation. Almost all elements – regardless of whether worktop or dining table – are nowadays produced in an ecologically correct manner in a variety of shapes and looks. This ensures that the kitchen can be put together according to individual wishes without it looking boring afterwards. Rather, it should be noted that the conscious play with natural materials and electrical appliances offers a wide range of possible combinations.
Conclusion
Sustainable cuisine is undoubtedly a good idea. The running costs decrease, while nature is spared and protected at the same time. Planning the kitchen is not easy, however. Anyone who attaches great importance to the entire concept being sustainable should seek advice from specialist retailers.