Realty Times: Think Green In The Kitchen

April 22, 2003

Think Green In The Kitchen
by Michele Dawson

An increasing number of homeowners are thinking green when it comes to the kitchen - and it's not green as in shades of avocado, celery, or sage. Instead they're cooking up ways to conserve energy, water, electricity, and keep the kitchen as safe as possible.

Most kitchens contain pollutants, and food stored, prepared, and eaten in a polluted space will absorb toxins. The kitchen can also be wasteful of water and electricity.

Green design, which is geared toward creating spaces that promote wellness for both the environment and you as the homeowner, is an approach that improves health, cuts energy bills, and fosters mental tranquility -- all while using renewable, non-polluting, and reusable materials.

When it comes to the kitchen, green design tackles space, use, and waste all at once.

John Hermannson, a member of the American Institute of Architects created a database of more than 600 products called The Green Resource Guide. He says to be considered "green," products need to have at least some, if not all, of the following characteristics: nontoxic, energy efficient, resource efficient, recyclable, durable, and contain recycled content. They must also be manufactured with minimum pollution and impact to the environment.

David Pearson, author of The New Natural House Book, recommends a number of ways to make your kitchen green-friendly:

Avoid particleboard cabinet units that contain urea-formaldehyde. Choose durable, solid wood cabinetry with traditional joints and timber glues.

Select metal cabinets or opt for the rustic charm of cabinets for sale at salvage shops.

Choose tile, granite, stainless steel, or solid wood for your countertop surfaces. Some laminates release undesirable chemicals.

When it comes to flooring, avoid vinyl, which can emit chemical fumes. Substitutes include stone, tile, and reclaimed wood (logs retrieved from river bottoms and abandoned buildings that are remanufactured into beams and flooring).

Bamboo, a fast-growing woody grass, and sound-absorbing cork are unique and surprisingly well-suited flooring alternatives. Bamboo flooring is harder than Northern Red Oak, according to the National Wood Flooring Association.

For both cabinetry and flooring, avoid endangered wood species such as teak and mahogany.

Maximizing natural sunlight and supplement your windows with a variety of general, task, and atmospheric lighting that are specific to your areas of activity.

Trade incandescent lights for energy-efficient versions or fluorescent lighting.

Use timers, dimmers, or cabinet contact switches to further conserve energy.

Accessorize with a collection of houseplants and flowers to remove air pollution.

Use natural colors that stem from the materials you use.

Choose energy-efficient appliances. Look for the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star label, which earmarks appliances that consume less than the minimum federal standards for electricity.

Choose an appliance whose capacity is appropriate for your family's needs; the larger the appliance, the more energy it requires to run.

Avoid running your dishwasher unless there's a full load. Opt for a glass-fronted oven, allowing you to check on food's progress without opening the door and wasting heat energy.

Service appliances frequently to check for energy-wasting leaks.

Avoid placing noisy refrigerators and dishwashers against partition walls, and try to select quieter models.

Include a recycling center with bins for paper, plastics, glass, metal, and organic waste for composting, and larger bins in a garage or storage area used for collection or delivery.

By choosing green design elements and products wisely, your green kitchen will be a model of harmony, efficiency, and economy.

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