How to go green in the kitchen

The following article is reprinted from Kitchen Planning & Buying Guide 2008 (cover shown), a new publication from the editors of Consumer Reports. The issue ($5.99) is on newsstands nationwide until June 30, 2008.

“Green is an approach that’s going to stay part of our design ethic,” says Connecticut-based kitchen designer Mary Jo Peterson. She believes that reducing waste and energy, reusing, and recycling are keys to a greener kitchen. The ingredients? Products made from sustainable, renewable materials, energy-wise appliances, and tools that foster recycling. Here are some particulars on designing a green kitchen:

Appliances. The Energy Star label indicates that qualified models are even more efficient than the minimum levels established by the federal government. Also, if you don’t need a large oven or refrigerator, scale down to smaller models. You won’t necessarily have to forgo quality features. A tiny secondary oven also saves energy for mini meals and reheating.

Cabinetry. Some manufacturers produce cabinets free of formaldehyde, a carcinogenic gas, as well as cabinets made of particleboard or fiberboard with as much as 75 percent recycled or recovered material content.

Countertops. From recycled glass to paper, sustainable ingredients are making their way onto kitchen counters. However, they are typically pricey, available through architects and designers, and too new to evaluate long-term durability.

Flooring. Bamboo grows rapidly, reaching its harvestable height in six to eight years versus up to 80 years for some hardwoods. Cork is peeled off the bark of cork oak trees without killing the tree. It is soft and quiet underfoot. However, both materials changed color in our UV tests, and neither proved especially tough when it came to wear. Also, some are more sustainably harvested than others. Certification from the Forest Stewardship Council helps ensure that at least some sustainable practices are used. (Learn about the growing use of bamboo in the home.)

Lighting. Use energy-saving compact fluorescent lightbulbs, now available in warm tones, and less-versatile LEDs (light-emitting diodes) where possible. Like all fluorescent lighting, the fluorescent bulbs we tested contain small amounts of mercury, a neurotoxin, and should be recycled to prevent release into the environment. Contact your sanitation department to see if recycling is an option in your area, visit www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling to find recyclers and learn about other options, and read  “Where, oh where, can I recycle my CFLs?” from the Home & Garden blog.

Paints. Shop for interior paints that off-gas little or no volatile organic compounds (VOC). There are several readily available zero- and low-VOC paints from major paint manufacturers. Some may not perform as well as other paints, so be sure to check our Ratings (available to subscribers) for performance.

Water. If you are on a public municipal water system, check your Consumer Confidence Report, which lists what compounds are in your water. Or have your water tested if you are on a private well. If those reports uncover any contaminants you should invest in a filtration system. It’s cheaper than bottled water and less wasteful. For more information, read our latest report on water filters. For more information, read our latest report on water filters.

Essential information: For more information on Earth Day and greener living, visit our Earth Day Guide.

Comments

[Dr. Eric - Naturopath]

I think it's time that Consumer Reports test and rate electric wind turbines - especially since there's a growing market and interest for these devices for homes.

[melissa]

Any green advice for cleaner drinking water? Personal sized bottled water- I recycle the plastic, but it still seems wasteful and expensive. 5-gallon bottles still seem wasteful and expensive, but how does it compare to non-recyleable water filters (i.e. from refridgerator dispensers)? I want to be green and money wise at the same time.

[Kevin Meyer]

I bought the new kitchen planning guide yesterday. I was disapointed that it did not review very many of the new green products mentioned above (bamboo & cork flooring, countertops made from recycled materials)...

[Janet Kaye Love]

The push to use fluorescent lights could be very bad for many people with disabilities. The Job Accommodation Network (http://www.jan.wvu.edu) lists reduction or elimination of fluorescent lighting as an appropriate accommodation for many conditions. In addition to causing headache, fatigue, and problems with light sensitivity, they are listed as problematic for individuals with epilepsy, migraine, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, and vertigo (related to cardiovascular problems, multiple scleroses, and several other disorders.) I have also seen accounts of difficulties faced by individuals with hyperactivity, autism and anxiety. Fluorescent treatment of depression can have the side effect of mania. Individuals with scopotopic sensitivity (aka Irlin Syndrome) may experience a variety of problems with learning, headache, gastrointestinal discomfort and mood disturbances. Those who are very sensitive to UV radiation (a side effect of some medications) can experience a sunburn type rash indoors.

When I talk about my own sensitivity (resulting in seizure activity regardless of the type of fluorescent), approximately 15% of the population respond with stories about symptoms from this type of lighting, most commonly headache, fatigue, cognitive difficulties and anxiety.. I find that many people are not aware that their lights are causing their symptoms, until they start thinking about the circumstances the problems occur in.

Compact fluorescents for household use should come with a hazard warning! With increasing frequency, I am hearing about symptoms experienced after “conversion” of household lighting.

Doctors are not talking about this either; they are using the troublesome lights. I had uncontrollable seizures for 20 years before I figured out the lights were triggering most of my problems. The doctor said he was not surprised, and told me about some of the many other problems people have! No one even suggested I consider it before that.

When standard lighting triggers severe health problems, one is excluded from many important activities. It seems to me that if cement were as valuable as energy, we would be telling people in wheelchairs that it is not reasonable to expect a ramp. I was very disappointed to learn that cities have started developing building codes encourage, or even specify, that this health hazard be implemented as in much of the new construction, where it becomes an architectural barrier to participation in the community.

The ideal for commercial/ public buildings would be to exclude fluorescents from with accessibility standards, and require warnings on “grandfathered” construction. Certainly, with the recent increases in problems experienced by children, this issue should at least be addressed in schools and medical facilities.

Please consider taking action to reverse this trend. Write your public officials to make them aware of this problem, and take action. They are starting to pass laws to make incandescent bulbs illegal, which would leave some of us completely in the dark. We need to look further for alternatives that do not harm any one, or leave them stuck outside, or in the dark.

[vin]

I just joined CR-online, hoping to see ANYTHING on residential wind turbines. Nothing??

[Abagail]

I think its also important to remember the smaller items in a kitchen as well when greening your home. There are many choices in eco friendly dinnerware, cookware, and drinkware present day. Doesn't do much good to put your filtered water (from your energy star refrigerator no less) into a plastic cup. Sometimes people have to start with the smaller things such as these and lightbulbs to approach it at their own pace. I personally shop at www.arenaturals.com & www.vivaterra.com for my finishing touches in my green home.

[Bosch Kitchen]

Using recycled material for cabinets, bamboo for the floors, and energy efficient/energy saving kitchen appliances is the best solution for anyone's kitchen. It will save money in your pocket all around.