Eco kitchen products

Greening your kitchen - Part 6

This last page looks at eco kitchen products ranging from cutlery to kitchen towel. These suggestions for utensils & accesories complete your green kitchen. Sourcing eco kitchen products can be hard work, if you would like help with finding the exact product for the job, use the sourcing enquiry form to start the process. Sit back, relax, sip some herbal tea whilst I assist you.

Cutlery

Disposable: The first point to mention about disposal cutlery is that these products will most likely end up being thrown into landfill sites. It is better to avoid disposable products where possible. If you must opt for disposable cutlery look for materials that are biodegradable and contain zero petrochemicals; bamboo, corn based, non GMO wheat based or sustainably managed timber.
Recycled metal: Made from recycled aluminium or stainless steel.
Recycled plastic: Made from 100% recycled content that are suitable for dishwasher use and are 100% recyclable after use.

Knives

Look for high quality and durable blades that can be sharpened so the lifetime is extended to make the most use out of a material that carries high levels of embodied energy. Stainless steel is not suitable for sharpening as the metal is too hard, opt for carbon steel as an alternative and invest in a sharpening stone and honing oil.

Shopping Bags

Jute: Please view my article on jute for an in-depth analysis of this natural fibre. Jute bags are durable, strong and can be used for multli functions.
Organic cotton: Please view my article on organic cotton for an in-depth analysis of this natural fibre. String bags made with 100% organic cotton content, are durable, strong and last a lifetime.

Table cloths & napkins

Ethical: There are an abundance of table dressings which have been made overseas by companies who uphold fair trade standards in terms of employee wages, standards and conditions as well as reducing child labour. Depending on the manufacturer cotton and cotton blend table dressings are not made with organic materials or with specific ecological considerations, however ethical manufacturing is of real importance alongside the environment.

Tea towels

Micro fibre: Made without chemicals these are extra absorbent tea towels which are suitable for use in the washing machine.
Hemp: View my article on hemp for an in-depth analysis of this sustainable and natural fibre.

Oven gloves

Hemp: The healthier and natural alternative to oven mitts that may otherwise contain chemical and synthetic treatments to reduce the amount of heat.

Apron

Recycled: Made from post consumer non biodegradable plastic/foil juice cartons that are otherwise bound for landfill. These products contain synthetics and chemical substances. One manufacturer is based in The Philippines and produced ethically upholding employee rights and standards. Items are shipped to retailers globally which increases transport emissions and levels of product embodied energy.
Cotton: Made from 100% organic cotton, look for locally produced products to reduce transport emissions.
Hemp: The healthier and natural alternative to plastic aprons.

Kitchen towel

Recycled: Made from 100% recycled paper, widely available in most supermarkets. Opt for locally produced products to reduce on transport emissions.

Greaseproof paper alternatives

Uses: baking paper, baking cases/cups & lunch bags
Made without the chemical compounds in greaseproof paper from unbleached paper and coated in natural silicone. Some products do not contain chlorine. An environmentally friendly alternative to greaseproof paper.

Waste bin bags

Corn starch: Made from 100% no GMO corn starch which has zero petrochemicals, is biodegradable and compostable. Available in various sizes suitable for all bins and waste paper baskets in your home.
Recycled: Made from 100% recycled polythene to reduce the demand on plastic manufacture. These bin bags are not biodegradable or compostable an contain petrochemicals.
Potato starch: Made from a blend of potato starch and biopolymers which are biodegradable and compostable.
Degradable: These bin liners take approximately one year to degrade into water and CO2.

Waste

Recycling bins: Typically made from polypropylene to sort your household waste into recycling containers for glass, paper, plastic and tins etc.
Can Crusher: A simple to operate and compact machine to squash aluminium cans ready for recycling. A kitchen must have!

If you have enjoyed reading this eco kitchen product article as well as the other eco kitchen articles - remember if would like expert advice on greening your kitchen or help with your kitchen redesign please contact me for a prompt and professional response.

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