April means Earth Day is quickly approaching! While you may already have outdoor plans to celebrate Earth Day, there are plenty of things you can do indoors that are eco-friendly too. The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the home, so it’s a great place to start your “green” home makeover. Here are four eco-friendly upgrades to make your kitchen a bit greener this Earth Day and beyond:
Reduce energy consumption with efficient appliances.
Your appliances may be wasting energy and driving up your monthly bill. Lower your monthly payment by investing in energy efficient appliances. According to Energy.gov, refrigerators with an Energy Star rating are 20% more energy efficient than regular ones and Energy Star-rated dishwashers use just under 6 gallons of water per cycle, reducing your water bill. If your appliances are older, consider investing in newer, more eco-friendly ones this Earth Day!
Upgrade your countertops with “greener” materials.
Don’t worry, we’re not saying replace your existing countertops with green-colored ones. But we are saying to consider how eco-friendly different countertop materials are before purchasing them. Quartz countertops, also known as engineered stone countertops, are a good eco-friendly option. According to TheKitchn.com, quartz countertops have low to moderate environmental impact and are made from 90% ground quartz, a natural hard mineral that’s found in the earth’s crust. This hard mineral makes for durable countertops that are easy to upkeep. Besides quartz, countertops are also being made from recycled materials, like paper and glass, for more eco-friendly options!
Bring recycling into your kitchen.
Chances are you have a city-issued recycling bin, but how much recyclable material actually makes it in there? Consider installing pullout waste containers that fit neatly inside your cabinets. Use one bin for trash and another for recycling to make sorting waste a breeze. Teach your kids to look for the recycling symbol before throwing anything away for an easy eco-friendly lesson. If you’re already recycling, start a kitchen compost with leftover fruit and vegetable scraps and then use them in your garden.
Take a look at your lighting.
While staring into your kitchen lights is not a good idea, evaluating the energy efficiency of your lighting is. If you’re still using regular incandescent bulbs, you may want to make the switch to more energy efficient options like LED bulbs or CFLs. According to Energystar.gov, CFLs used 70% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs. This is a really easy and affordable way to make your kitchen more eco-friendly!
Get started on your kitchen makeover today with TheRTAStore. You’ll find nearly everything you need, from kitchen cabinets to sinks, to update or renovate your kitchen. Our high-quality cabinets are 15%-55% less than those big box stores, plus you can shop from home. Talk to one of our friendly kitchen design experts today!
