Organising your kitchen in a more eco-friendly way is an important step forward for reducing your environmental impact and achieving a more sustainable lifestyle. In this article, we will take a closer look at a number of different strategies for transforming your kitchen into one which is more environmentally friendly, with a particular focus on vacuum storage and the benefits it offers. Find out how small changes can make a big difference for the environment and for your health.
1 - Reduce food waste
We will start with something very simple but very important. One of the most fundamental aspects of an eco-friendly kitchen is to reduce food waste. Wasted food is not only wasted money for a family, it also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and an increase in overall waste; it therefore has an environmental impact which we need to try to reduce as much as possible.
Here are some practical tips:
- Make a meal plan: try to come up with a weekly menu, this will help you to ensure you only buy what you need, reducing the amount of food which ends up in the bin.
- Use leftovers: transform leftovers into new and creative meals. Soups, frittatas, and risottos are great ways to use up small amounts of leftovers.
- Turn food waste into compost: if you have enough space, a domestic composter is a great way to reduce waste while also producing a natural fertilizer that you can use on the plants in your garden.
2 - Choose energy efficient appliances
Let’s talk about technology, and more. Efficient domestic appliances are a vital investment for an eco-friendly kitchen. These devices use less energy, helping to reduce your bills and your environmental impact. When you buy new domestic appliances, look for energy labels that show that they are energy efficient.
Here are some tips:
- Fridges: an energy efficient fridge uses less electricity and conserves food better.
- Dishwashers: choose models that use less energy and water, look for ones with ‘eco’ programmes. Try to only run the dishwasher when it is full.
- Ovens and hobs: convection ovens and induction hobs are more efficient that traditional models. Whilst they might cost more up front, once installed they offer ongoing savings and are also easier to clean and look after.
3 - Vacuum storage: helping you to be more sustainable
Vacuum storage is a technique which can make a significant contribution to a more eco-friendly kitchen. This method involves removing the air from bags and containers to prolong the shelf life of food. It offers a number of benefits.
Advantages of vacuum storage
- Reduced food waste: with vacuum storage, you can extend the shelf life of food by up to five times versus traditional methods. This means that less food goes off and ends up in the bin.
- Keeping food fresh: food stored in a vacuum retains its nutritional properties better, as well as its flavour and texture. This is particularly helpful for fruit, vegetables, meat and fish.
- More efficient organisation: vacuum bags and containers are compact and easy to stack, making it easier to organise your fridge or freezer.
4 - How to use vacuum storage in your kitchen
Vacuum storage is very straightforward to incorporate into your daily routine.
Here are some tips for getting started:
- Divide everything into portions: cook in bulk and use vacuum storage for extra portions so that you always have meals ready when you are in a hurry.
- Quick marinading: something which is often overlooked is that a vacuum speeds up the marinading process, allowing the food to soak up the flavourings more quickly. A real boost when it comes to making better meals!
- Sous-vide cooking: this method involves sealing food in bags and immersing them in water at low temperatures, preserving the nutrients and flavour of the ingredients.
5 - Reduced use of plastic
Reducing the amount of plastic used in the kitchen is another important step towards making it a more sustainable place.
Here is how you can do it:
- Use reusable containers: replace plastic bags and single-use containers with reusable alternatives made from glass or stainless steel. They are easy to clean and look after.
- Avoid unnecessary packaging: buy unpackaged food where possible and take reusable shopping bags when you go to the shops.
- Drink filtered water: using a filter jug reduces consumption of single-use plastic bottles. In addition, it is really convenient: you don’t have to carry heavy bottles of water home from the supermarket and when you want a glass of filtered water, all you have to do is turn on the tap in your kitchen. So handy!
6 - Eco-friendly cleaning products
Traditional cleaning products may contain chemicals which are harmful to the environment.
Choose eco-friendly alternatives:
- Organic products: look for detergents which are certified organic and biodegradable, you can find them in any supermarket or corner shop.
- Homemade products: vinegar, bicarbonate of soda and lemon are the ideal ingredients for creating natural and effective detergents.
- Reducing waste: use reusable microfibre cloths rather than disposable wipes.
7 - LAICA, innovative solutions for a better organised and more sustainable kitchen
LAICA offers a range of innovative solutions for vacuum storage which can help you to achieve a more eco-friendly kitchen. Our products are designed to preserve the freshness of food and reduce waste, helping to contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Here are the main LAICA product lines dedicated to this storage method:
- Vacuum machines: the crucial appliance. LAICA offers a number of different products, from vacuum machines with multiple functions to more compact ones which are easy to store in a kitchen drawer
- Reusable bags and containers: LAICA offers both reusable bags and rigid plastic or glass containers for easy and practical vacuum storage.
- Sous-vide cooking: LAICA has an extensive range of products which are worth a closer look. Among the products which can help with a sustainable and balanced diet, there is also a whole product line dedicated to low-temperature vacuum cooking, known as sous-vide.
8 - Conclusions
To organise your kitchen in a more eco-friendly way you may need to make some changes to your everyday habits but doing so offers countless benefits for the environment and your health. Reducing food waste, choosing energy-efficient appliances, using vacuum storage and reducing consumption of plastics are just some of the things we can do. With small everyday gestures, we can make a big difference and contribute to a more sustainable future.