For many, life in quarantine has been an endless repetitive routine of cooking and cleaning. Since the kitchen consumes a lot of energy and food is a major contributor to carbon footprint, a lot of people have become more conscious about conserving food, energy, and other resources.
Truly, a change in mindset and lifestyle can have a significant impact on the environment.
So, if you want to take your efforts up a notch and make your time in the kitchen more environmentally friendly, Solane, a leading LPG in the country, offers five simple tips for you to try.
Get sustainable cookware. One way to be environmentally responsible in the kitchen is to get rid of plastic cooking tools. It is best to have wooden spoons and spatulas instead. Not only are they sustainable and can prevent scratch marks on your pans, they also don’t melt, unlike plastic utensils. Also, non-stick Teflon pans may be the convenient choice for cookware, but they can be easily damaged and are known for releasing toxic chemicals. Try switching to heavy duty and long-lasting alternatives like cast-iron pans or ceramic Dutch ovens.
Save water. Water conservation has been a long-standing environmental concern. One way you can help with this problem in the kitchen is by investing in a low-flow faucet. When cooking, you can also rinse your produce in a container, instead of washing them under running water. Once you are done, that “rinse water” can be reused to water plants outdoors. Another tip: Defrost frozen food in the fridge in advance since defrosting under running water can be wasteful. Lastly, try steaming vegetables rather than boiling them because it uses less water and is generally healthier too.
Segregate waste. When you are cooking, a lot of trash is disposed of from food scraps to plastic packaging. Make sure you have multiple trash bins in your kitchen to separate biodegradable wastes from non-biodegradable trash. Do a quick search on the internet on which items falls into which category and print out signs to be placed by the garbage cans so you, your family, and household staff can easily familiarize yourselves with proper disposal. This practice also helps with the reduction of waste in landfills.
Support local produce. Buying products from local businesses and farmers helps both the environment and the economy. Supporting local also contributes to the conservation of fuel and energy since local products do not have to be transported long distances. Also, many of these items are grown organically which is healthier for your body, a must amid the pandemic.
Use a trusted LPG brand. Liquefied petroleum gas is better for the environment than other fuels as it is known to release less carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. With this, it is best to choose a brand that has been used and trusted by many households in the country, like Solane, which also provides a cleaner, healthier, and safer fuel that will make every meal better for you, your family, and Mother Nature.
For more information, visit https://www.solane.com.ph or follow @solane.ph on Facebook.
