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Eco friendly kitchen designs

The idea of a green kitchen becomes absolute with the diverse range of products available in the market. These eco-friendly products may seem to be costing more than those which are not eco-friendly; but the overall investment in designing a green kitchen can be lesser than a standard one. From the eco-safe VOC paints to bamboo flooring, there are plenty of choices to give your kitchen the unique appeal. The non organic products have both short and long term adverse effects on the environment, which ultimately reaches you in one or another form. A reasonable investment in the eco-friendly components can save resources and serve your contribution in sustaining the planet. Some useful eco-friendly ideas have been summarized here for gainful implementation.

eco-friendly cabinet

1. Countertop

Countertops can serve more than a sound platform for your kitchen. And when you add the eco-friendly component into it, you enhance their practicality all the more. The recycled glass kitchen countertops can serve your purpose when wanting a colorful glass mixed countertop for the kitchen. For increased variation and attractions, these countertops can be coordinated with cabinets or painted surfaces. Price can range from $50 to $80 per sq. ft to and can reach higher.

These countertops use glass from the waste stream. Another ingredient, cement, can be mixed with fly ash, a waste product of coal-burning. The recycled countertop saves on the scarce resources which can be better employed elsewhere.

2. Cabinet

Cabinets can be had in diverse types, like the stainless steel ones or those made from entirely recycled resources. A stainless steel cabinet can be an optimum choice, being both durable and eco-friendly. Stainless steel is a chief contributor to the reduction of the waste steam and provides protection to trees.

One of the promising kitchen designs comes from St. Charles modern green cabinets. These are available in diverse colors and are 98 percent recyclable. Besides having an eco-friendly make, these cabinets can depict stylish designs providing a clean kitchen environment. The cabinets are made with approximately 70 percent recycled content. However, steel is made from finite resources, and can use considerable energy to produce.

3. Sink and Faucet

Sinks made out of recycled content can be easily found endorsing attractive looks. The Staccato™ Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks at Kohler can serve the purpose, without compromising on the style statement. Complement the sink with eco-friendly faucets having aerator, which can save on water by injecting bubbles into stream.

The stainless steel is supposedly 100 percent recyclable, making it an apt component when durability is on mind. This can be an ideal performer scoring over many other materials when wanting eco-friendliness. Nonetheless, there may be some limitation arising out of its designing attribute and not being scratch resistant.

4. Flooring

Flooring may seem insignificant, but can be one of the most striking elements in a kitchen design. One of the favorable eco-friendly flooring options is bamboo flooring. Being one of the most renewable elements on earth, bamboo can provide an attractive and durable flooring option for your kitchen. Usually, third-party organizations do not strictly abide by environmental regulations. Try to obtain a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified bamboo, without formaldehyde adhesives or other toxic finishing materials. Teragren offers FSC-certified bamboo flooring at about $11 and up per square foot.

5. Backsplash

With many great backsplashes which are both eco-friendly and functional, you have ample opportunities to get a good one for your kitchen. Some backsplashes may be more recyclable while others may be low in VOC emissions. The recycled ceramic tiles for backsplashes can be a worthy choice. The ceramic tiles are largely made out of waste products like unwanted glass, dirt and dust. Manufacturers may also use their own waste products as raw materials. When purchasing one, look for certification regarding recycling from the dealer. Price varies with maker. The drawback is the considerable amount of energy lost in the firing process (depending on the glass content).

6. Dishwasher

Dishwasher can be among the major heavy consumers of energy amongst household appliances in your kitchen. The usage of water and energy (to heat the water) can be considerably burdening on the power grid, when done in a careless manner. Choosing a dishwasher which is power and water saving, like the Bosch’s Ascenta, can be meaningful in your eco-friendly kitchen design. This dishwasher has an EcoSense which potentially reduces energy consumption by 20 percent compared to others in the category. The price range is $549 to $799.

7. Accessory

The small culinary components, like eco-friendly dinnerware, can complete your eco-friendly kitchen design. The recycled-glass dinnerware comes in different shapes and colors. The dishwasher and microwave safe utensils have been designed to provide a marine appeal, giving a natural feel. Available in the price range of $60 to $189, the elegant tableware can give a special touch to your dishes.

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