Building or Renovating Your Kitchen? Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Whether you’re building a new kitchen or renovating an old one, you can consider the environment in virtually every decision. The popular eco-phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle” applies to kitchen construction just as easily as it does to product packaging.

When you’re planning and building (or renovating) your kitchen, consider the following eco-friendly steps, culled from suggestions by Zero.com, GreenBuildingElements.com, and
Planet Green:

Consider, and meld with, the surrounding environment: Instead of chopping down all of the trees in a lot, think of ways you might absorb them into your design. Trees can be used for passive solar heating and cooling. In terms of the sun, low-angled rays will shine into south-facing rooms in the winter, reducing dependence on energy for light and heat.

Choose exterior colors with the environment in mind. Light-colored exteriors reflect the sun’s heat, for example, and are a good choice in warm regions, where you are trying to keep the interior cool. In colder climates, darker colors are a good choice, because they absorb heat.

Choose construction materials wisely. Choose sustainable woods and recycled, reusable, and durable construction materials. Low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints, sealers and adhesives, and nontoxic insulation (choose cellulose, recycled-content or formaldehyde-free) are also important when considering both the environment and your family’s health.

If possible, install formaldehyde-free cabinets and “green” countertops. Formaldehyde-free cabinet choices are currently limited. Talk with the staff in our showrooms so we can point you to companies that offer them and/or other eco-friendly cabinet options.
Woodharbor, for example, offers two lines – Woodharbor and Rockglen – that are certified through the Environmental Stewardship Program, administered by the Kitchen Cabinet Makers Association. We can also discuss companies that offer countertops and back-splashes with some recycled content.

Consider eco-friendly flooring. There are eco-friendly cork and linoleum options, and the wood flooring by Terramai offers a mix of FSC certified wood from around the world to promote conservation and sustainable building.

Install energy efficient windows or skylights. Maximize natural light, and encourage a connection to the outdoors by keeping it in sight.

Vent hood vents to the outside. For the best indoor air quality, don’t vent in a way that recirculates the air.

Install water filters. Good water filters will not only provide healthy, clean water, but will avoid cluttering up more landfills with unnecessary plastic bottles.

Think about ways to save water and energy. Use good insulation, and install ENERGY STAR® appliances (manufactured after 1990) to cut energy costs and water use throughout the life of your kitchen. Our showroom staff will be happy to describe the many options we offer in energy-efficient appliances, such as this full-size dishwasher from Miele. Another tip: place the refrigerator away from the stove and direct sunlight. Install efficient, insulated pipe systems and water-saving faucet aerators; you can even consider a touch-free faucet or foot pedal controls for the kitchen sink. Stainless steel and cast iron sinks contain recycled material, and recycled content hammered copper sinks are also available. Another tip: Composting will save on the water you’d have to use if you installed a trash compactor.

Use “green” lighting. Federal legislation will soon phase out incandescent light bulbs that aren’t energy efficient. Choose CFL bulbs (and recycle them properly once they burn out to avoid releasing mercury into the environment) or invest in some super-energy-saving LED bulbs. Install dimmers and/or occupancy sensors.

Recycle, recycle, recycle in the future. Set aside space in your new or renovated kitchen for recycling and composting bins. You’ll be more likely to use them if they fit beautifully into the natural flow of your kitchen.

When the job is complete, reuse or recycle construction waste. Local salvage companies might be willing to remove reusable construction waste. Your contractor might know about recycling options for any recyclable materials.

Thought, planning, and implementation will go a long way toward making your kitchen “green,” before, during, and after the construction or renovation process. Always feel free to stop by one of our showrooms to discuss the most eco-friendly options for your kitchen.