Implementing Sustainability in the Kitchen
Written by: Madison Lee
Looking for more ways to be sustainable, why not try to implement sustainable cooking tips before, during, and after cooking your favourite meals? Many was easy to start in the kitchen, and can even bring out some internal creativity (Wholesome Culture, n.d.).
Being sustainable in the kitchen involves planning and acting on good practices before cooking. To start, try meal preparation; this can include planning what to eat, what to buy, when to eat or any other factor involving preparation before you start cooking. Meal preparation avoids food waste and the potential stress that comes with cooking on busy days (Gillespie, n.d.). In addition to meal prepping, try to source food from local areas. By doing so, transportation and packing are greatly reduced (Wholesome Culture, n.d.). When you go grocery shopping, bring reusable bags to avoid disposable packaging (Treehugger Editors, 2022).
Now, it’s time to cook, how can sustainability be implemented in this process? While in the kitchen, try cooking with others! This is not only a great way to socialize, but it can also reduce dishes and lower the energy use involved in the process (Gillespie, n.d.). To wash produce or to clean dishes during the process, soak items in the sink to reduce water waste, rather than letting the faucet run to clean them (Wholesome Culture, n.d.). Cook smaller pieces of food to increase overall cooking efficiency by chopping foods into smaller portions (“How to be Eco-Friendly”, 2021).
Along with managing water and food waste, energy is also important to keep tabs on while cooking. When preparing food on the stove, use pot and pan lids to retain heat (“How to be Eco-Friendly”, 2021). Moreover, pressure cookers and crock pots are great appliances that are very energy efficient (Treehugger Editors, 2022). If what you’re preparing requires the oven, try using other heating methods like a microwave, toaster oven, or air fryer instead of the oven if possible to conserve energy usage (Treehugger Editors, 2022). Saving energy can be challenging at times, but implementing foods that do not require cooking, like salads and wraps, are easy ways to cut down energy usage in the kitchen (Treehugger Editors, 2022).
The time the kitchen is coming to an end, cleanup is next on your to-do list. While pack away any foods, choose to use reusable containrs to store leftovers, instead of single-use products (Wholesome Culture, n.d.). Additionally, freeze excess food that may go to waste, this includes fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs (Wholesome Culture, .n.d.). When it comes to leftovers, get creative and reuse components you didn’t finish from one meal rather than making a whole new meal and wasting the leftovers (Wholesome Culture, n.d.).
Check out this link for various recipes.
After packing the food away, consider reducing your chemical use while cleaning the kitchen; vinegar and baking soda are great alternatives to toxic chemicals (Wholesome Culture, n.d.). Lastly, for any cleaning that is required, a kitchen towel or cloth is a great tool to use instead of a paper towel (Wholesome Culture, n.d.).
Applying sustainable cooking techniques in the kitchen is a great way to improve overall efficiency while doing good for the planet. These tips demonstrate some of the many ways a person can operate a sustainable kitchen before, during, and after cooking their meals.
Sources:
https://www.topsdaynurseries.co.uk/how-to-be-eco-friendly-when-cooking/
https://blog.wholesomeculture.com/20-drool-worthy-recipes-thatll-make-the-most-of-your-leftovers/
