Many of us are looking for ways to make more sustainable and mindful choices in life, but where do you start? In this article, Hayley Baddiley, Global Marketing Director at Denby Pottery, shares her tips for introducing conscious living into one of the most important rooms in your home.
As we become more aware of how our living and spending habits can impact our planet, many of us are looking for more ways to lead a more conscious lifestyle.
The good news is that by making some small changes in the kitchen we can make a big difference to the world outside our doors. So, below, we’ll be sharing some of my top tips for creating a more conscious kitchen.
Say no to plastic
An overwhelming amount of single-use plastics can be found in the kitchen, so choosing eco-friendly alternatives can help to make a positive difference. For example, you may wish to seek out reusable beeswax wraps to use instead of cling film to help keep your food fresh. These have the added bonus of being less harmful to the planet once you do eventually throw them away.
It’s also important to reduce the amount of plastic packaging you bring home. When shopping for fresh produce, choose loose fruits and vegetables over pre-packaged. You can also look for bar soaps or ceramic pumped containers over plastic soap bottles, and you can buy dry goods in bulk using your own reusable jars or canisters. These simple swaps can help eradicate unnecessary plastic from your kitchen.
Choose your homewares carefully
You can beat fast fashion by investing in timeless, quality pieces for the kitchen that will last for longer, rather than shopping for cheap and replaceable products. If you can, look for tableware and cookware that comes with a guarantee, so you know you’re buying a product that’s built to last. You should also look for versatile colours and patterns that will always be fashionable instead of chasing the latest trends.
If your kitchenware is less likely to break or go out of style, you won’t have to replace it as often. Plus, pieces that last a long time can then be reused around your home – for example, a chipped or cracked mug can become a handy plant or pen pot for your office.
Look for locally sourced products and ingredients
While fresh foods like strawberries grow in the UK during the summer, in winter it’s too cold for them to survive. If you see strawberries in the supermarket during the cooler months, they have either been imported from somewhere with a warmer climate, or they have been grown on a farm that uses heaters and lamps. Either way, it’s better to only buy what’s in season, even more so if you’re able to buy local and source your food from nearby farms.
For similar reasons, it’s a good idea to buy your kitchen products from brands that manufacture in Britain. If you can, do some research into their eco-credentials, too.
Reduce your food waste
You can easily reduce the amount of food you waste in your kitchen by carefully organising your fridge and pantry. Keep on top of expiry dates and cook anything likely to go out of date soon into one of your recipes. Try planning your meals for the week ahead of time so you know exactly what you need to use.
You can also try freezing what you don’t eat so it stays edible for longer. If you choose ceramics that can go in the microwave and the freezer, you can use these to store and reheat your leftovers which means you don’t need to bother with any unnecessary plastic boxes either.
Then, when you do have food or kitchen waste to throw away, always consider adding it to your compost bin first and take any opportunities you have to recycle.
The tips in this guide can help you to transform your kitchen into a more conscious space suitable for your lifestyle. With just a few changes to your living and spending habits, you can help to make a difference.
Images: Unsplash
