It’s mid January. Have your started working on your New Year’s resolutions? Have you already broken them?
Follow these tips if you want to be more environmentally conscious in your kitchen.
1. Reduce your use of Paper Towels. Install a Linen Hamper in the kitchen or the laundry room to keep used dish towels. If you must use paper towels, Apartment Therapy suggests Seventh Generation Unbleached 100% Recycled Paper Towels.
2. Use reusable Grocery Tote Bags. Dedicate a kitchen drawer or area in the pantry for your collection of grocery tote bags. If you already do this, consider getting smaller bags for your fresh produce and do away with using any plastic sacks at the store.
3. Reduce Junk Mail. If your countertops are cluttered with tons of catalogs you never seem to look through try getting off the mailing list and do your catalog shopping online. Most websites are better than catalogs because you can play with different colors and see different views of items. Not sure where to start? Check out Catalog Choice, a free web service that allows you to opt-out of catalog mailings.
4. Green your Electronics. Many AC adapters continue to draw power from a wall socket when left plugged in. Even the clock on your microwave draws power. By unplugging electronics and appliances when not in use you will save energy and money.
5. Switch to Energy-Efficient Lighting. If you haven’t already switched out your bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs, what are you waiting for? Energy Star qualified bulbs use about 75% less energy than standard incadescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.