We all know the importance of reducing our carbon footprint. Whether that be walking to the shops instead of driving or turning the lights off when exiting a room. But how can we reduce our carbon footprint when in the kitchen? From what you eat, the way you prepare your food to cutting your amount of food waste, there are many steps that you can take to become environmentally friendly when in the kitchen.
Shop smart
Are you guilty of doing a large weekly food shop, but when it comes to it many of the food purchased goes off at the back of the fridge? Reduce the amount of food that you waste by making smaller more frequent trips to the supermarket. It may feel a nuisance, but by doing a smaller shop, less food is wasted, helping you get more out of your money.
Reduced food waste
At Dexam we have spoken before about the disastrous effect that food waste is having on the environment. By simply lowering the amount of food that you waste you can reduce your carbon footprint. One way that you can lower your food waste is by doing smaller food shops, while cooking smaller portions can result in less waste food at the end of each meal. Correctly storing your food in airtight canisters can keep left over food fresher for longer, allowing you to store in either the fridge or freezer, turning it into a delicious new meal in the future.
Get microwaving
Did you know that the microwave uses less energy than the oven? When it comes to either steaming some vegetables or baking a potato, instead of using an oven, consider the microwave. By microwaving you could use 80% less energy than when using the oven.
Put a lid on it
When cooking on the hob whether that be potatoes, vegetables or pasta, make sure to put a lid onto your saucepan. By simply placing a lid onto your pots and pan, you can cook using less energy, helping to not just cut your carbon footprint but also to cut down your electricity bill at the end of the year.
Go organic
Going organic is another superb way that you can reduce your carbon footprint. By buying locally sourced products that are fresh and seasonal, those ingredients have had fewer miles to travel before reaching your table, lowering the carbon footprint of your dinner. By checking the location of where your food was grown and by buying from surrounding areas, you can do your bit for the environment while still enjoying delicious dinners. Want to get buying organic? Your local farmers market is a superb place to start shopping for locally grown produce.
Bags for life
When shopping in your local supermarket or down your farmers market, make sure to take along your bags for life. Whether you have paid 5p or 10p, make sure to reuse them before purchasing any more. A nuisance to remember, the effects that plastic carrier bags creates on the environment are huge, so by making a change in your routine and packing your bag for life you can create a positive effect when out shopping.
Compost your waste
There are times when reusing left over food is not always possible, or the question arries of what to do with the left-over banana skin. Next time you discover food at the back of the fridge that is no longer safe to eat, instead of throwing it away, place it onto the compost, letting it biodegrade, giving the soil vital nutrients.
At Dexam we take climate change and lowering our carbon footprint extremely seriously, which is why we have invested in reusable plastics in the kitchen. From our Sistema Tritan canisters to the Dexam glass clip top jars that you can use to store dry and food. Look at our website to take a whole look at our environmentally friendly products.