6 Mantras For A Sustainable Kitchen #SuperBloggerChallenge2018 #Instacuppa

Living in a city is such a boon. We get all comforts, the luxury of cities and we enjoy being influenced by latest trends and traditions. I have been living in Delhi since last 10 years. I feel good that the city is giving me so much. The exposure I neede for my work, the lifestyle that I like and the frill that makes this city Dil walo ko Dilli, it has everything. However, I am also noticing a high spot of pollution, ear popping noises and lack of green spaces here. This is making me worried day by day.

Pollutions, hazardous chemicals and fumes, and excess use of plastic are bringing life-threatening health problems here in Delhi. In order to make life worthwhile in cities, we have to put certain efforts else the coming generation would be facing sustainability issues. We need to unite together and take effective steps to make our mother earth green and that eventually adds to a sustainable lifestyle.

Sustainability means avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance. Hence, to lead a sustainable life, we need to start using as many natural resources as we can. For sustainable homes, we need to change the way we are living these days. Every house should go with required transformation and possible remodeling. For a house, the most important part is the Kitchen. Family's health and happiness both heavily depends on how we maintain our kitchen. Thus in order to bring sustainable changes in our houses, we need to start the change from the kitchen. 

Some time back, I saw a video in which actress Diya Mirza shared many useful tips about sustainable living. I am taking inspiration from that video for this blog. Sustainable Kitchen is something real and treasured. It connects ethics to aesthetics. This means you know what materials are used for designing and maintaining the kitchen, how long it would last and is it creating any health trouble or not!

For a sustainable kitchen, take ideas from these points:

1. All kitchen cabinets should be wooden. If you are thinking about renovating the kitchen, use old furniture to create new cabinets. It takes a lot of trees to design and make our furniture. Avoid chemical paints as much as possible. When selecting a paint for the kitchen walls, make sure to look for Low or Zero VOC paints.

VOC is a carbon-containing compound that readily vaporizes into the air. When they enter the air, they react with other elements to produce ozone, which eventually causes air pollution and a host of health problems like breathing problems, headache, burning, watery eyes, and nausea. Some VOC’s also have been linked to cancer and kidney/liver damage. Zero VOC paints are available in India. All you need to be aware and keep it in mind before buying the paint.

2. Have windows in the kitchen. Other than making the kitchen airy, windows also let the natural sunlight in. This way we can save a lot of electricity that we waste on kitchen lights. Also, use energy efficient lights in the kitchen and helps in energy conservation.

3. Use lesser electronic appliances. I know this is hard to achieve but avoid microwave, mixer, and juicer until very necessary. Nowadays it is unimaginable to live without a fridge but the gases in the fridge also cause the environmental issue. So buy good quality appliances only. Check star rating as it signifies the quality of appliances.

The government of India (Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power) introduced the Standards and Labelling Program in May 2006. Under this program, the manufacturers are required to place a label showing how much electricity the appliance will consume under certain conditions. The labels contain a number of items. The highlight is the ‘STARS’. More is the stars more efficient is the appliance. This standard is applicable for refrigerators, air conditioners, televisions, geysers, tube lights and fans among the household appliances.

4. Remove plastic completely from the kitchen and use steel, metal, glass, ceramic and crockery utensils only. Even throw plastic water bottles and use glass water bottles. I know it is little difficult to maintain glass and crockery but with little carefulness and mindfulness, we can easily use them in the kitchen. 

5. Collect biodegradable and nondegradable waste separately. Now, it is part of Swatcha Bharat Abhiyan as well and our PM Mr. Narendra Modi himself urges people to isolate waste in two different color bins. All ecological kitchen waste can be converted into fertilizer which can then be used for plants. Even if you have wet kitchen waste, use a good quality of plastic for keeping waste inside the bin.

Do you know, around 15, 000 tonnes of plastic waste is generated every day, out of which 9, 000 tonnes is collected and processed, but 6, 000 tonnes of plastic waste is not being collected? As per latest Ministry of Environment press issue, the minimum thickness of plastic carry bags could be from 40 to 50 microns and stipulated minimum thickness of 50 microns for plastic sheets. 

6. If possible, have your kitchen garden and plant some vegetables and herbs. This way you would be sure about the quality of those vegetables. If not vegetable, have some flower or show plants. Greenery always changes the atmosphere. It brings liveliness around and soothe us as well. Hang bird feeders and water pots in the kitchen balcony. 

For a sustainable life, it is always nice to have some form of greenery, so grow as many plants as you can in your house. With some small everyday changes like; avoiding wastage of water, wise consumption of electricity and using natural resources, we can really make a difference.

#SuperBloggerChallenge2018 #Instacuppa

The article is written as part of the #SuperBloggerChallenge2018 by #Instacuppa conducted by HealthWealthBridge.com FashionableFoodz.com AllAboutTheWoman.com and should not be re purposed, republished or use otherwise. The content herein is owned by the blogger. SuperBloggerChallenge2018 is not responsible for any infringement caused.

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