HOW TO DESIGN AN ECO-FRIENDLY KITCHEN
We all know how important it is to protect our planet, and it requires everyone to take responsibility for their day-to-day actions, from their carbon footprint and recycling, to reducing waste and emissions. It’s also an important consideration when choosing an eco-friendly kitchen.
There are many kitchens out there that claim they’re environmentally friendly when, in fact, their materials are made from toxic chemicals or unsustainable resources.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A KITCHEN IS ECO-FRIENDLY?
The first thing to do is find out what the green certifications are and what they mean. There are plenty of certificates that show if a company has made an effort to be eco-friendly in their manufacturing process, but there are three major ones when it comes to British and German Kitchens: PEFC (sustainable forestry), Golden M and RKT Recycling Kontor.
If your kitchen doesn’t have at least one of these, the chances are that they’re not the most sustainable option out there.
WHAT’S RIDGEWAY KITCHENS’ STANCE ON SUSTAINABILITY?
At Ridgeway Interiors, we’re committed to working, wherever possible, with suppliers and manufacturers who make a conscious contribution towards sustainability.
Sustainability now factors heavily into our design decisions, as we know many clients want to know their impact on the environment. For some clients, it’s a prerequisite. It’s something that’s important to us, too.
Two of our leading suppliers, Systemat and Nobilia, have been awarded certificates for their stance on eco-friendly carbon-neutral productions. They’re also recognised for their contributions towards nature, through programmes such as the replanting of trees. They limit waste from manufacturing their kitchens (usually wood chippings) which are then used to heat the factory or given free to the local community.
WHAT MATERIALS SHOULD I VEER TOWARDS?
The next step in choosing an eco-friendly kitchen is learning about materials that are sustainable or recyclable – such as recycled glass countertops for example. Ask your designer what they recommend, based on your budget.
It’s not always possible to get truly sustainable furniture options so we suggest at least trying to find a "recycle when done" option so you don't end up with a skip going to landfill when it’s time to remodel again. This is just one of the reasons that we recommend choosing a solid surface worktop over laminate for example.
WHAT ABOUT APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY?
The final thing to consider is the efficiency of your appliances and accessories. An energy efficient dishwasher will typically use far less water than washing dishes by hand and innovations such as boiling water taps typically use the same amount of energy to run per day as a single kettle boil.
The three main things to consider when choosing an eco-friendly kitchen are durability, cost and aesthetics. If you’re looking for the best value in terms of sustainability, it might be better to invest in a kitchen with higher upfront costs that will last longer than a cheaper option with a shorter lifespan. If sustainability is at the forefront of your kitchen design, get in touch, and we’ll commit to sourcing the most sustainable products for your project.
For more information, keep reading
RESEARCH DONE, AND READY TO START THE PROCESS?
