Whether brand new or renovated, kitchens are a great place to apply principals of green or sustainable design. The availability of environmentally friendly products is on the rise, with many green options available, including cabinets, countertops, flooring, appliances and lighting.
Cabinets
Green cabinet criteria are based on two major aspects, the material used for the cabinets and the manufacturing processes used to make them. Metal or stainless steel cabinets are generally considered green because they're non-toxic with zero formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or other chemical emissions after installation, and because stainless steel is recyclable.
Wood cabinets are considered green if the wood used is from a sustainable source, meet
FSC standards or come from a reclaimed or recycled source, and if the manufacturing process avoids or minimizes the use of formaldehydes or other chemicals that could outgas into the structure. Cabinets must also feature finishes that contain zero or at least very low levels of VOCs in order to be considered green.
Although the criteria are clear, finding cabinets that fully meet green standards can be challenging, as the materials used for cabinet construction, interiors, faces and finishes vary so widely. The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) has recognized this challenge and has initiated the Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) to promote and recognize energy efficient and environmentally friendly manufacturing practices.
Cabinets that fully meet green standards in manufacturing methods and in terms of materials and finishes used are not all that common yet, but consumer demand and manufacturing innovations can only result in more options and solutions.
Countertops
Environmentally friendly countertops include those made from concrete composites and
recycled materials such as metal, glass, stone or porcelain, as well as bamboo or other sustainable woods. The many options available allow a great degree of creativity in material and color selection. Recycled wood and paper product countertops such as
PaperStone (recycled paper) or
Richlite (wood pulp) are options that offer interesting solutions to the green challenge.
A recent Suite101
article provides a nice summary of green countertop options that are currently available.
Flooring
When looking for sustainable choices for flooring products, bamboo and cork are at the forefront, primarily due to their rapid growth cycles. Reclaimed wood and FSC-certified wood also qualify as green flooring choices
While not renewable, stone and ceramic or porcelain tile can possess environmentally friendly qualities in terms of their durability and installation, especially if selected from a local source that cuts down on transportation and associated energy use. In many cases, stone and tile can also be crushed and recycled.
A Green Home Guide
article provides a nice summary of flooring materials, including a
chart that summarizes the "green" pros and cons of each of the major flooring types.
Appliances and Lighting
Energy efficient appliances such as those with a U.S. Department of Energy Energy Star rating can use 10-50% less energy than standard models, and can add to a kitchen’s overall environmentally friendly qualities in terms of energy consumption. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) offers an online consumers’ guide with information on refrigerators, dishwashers, ranges, cooktops and ovens, as well as other important kitchen products.
Better energy efficiency can be achieved in kitchen lighting with the use of fluorescent fixtures and bulbs, compact fluorescent bulbs, and low-voltage fixtures and accompanying bulbs. The American Lighting Association describes how different types of fixtures can be combined in the kitchen to create successful general lighting as well as specific areas for task lighting. For example, fluorescent or compact fluorescent lighting can provide excellent overall illumination, with low voltage pendants added for task lighting.
With advance research and planning, it's possible to design kitchens that can be both beautiful and eco-friendly. As the green movement grows and moves into the mainstream, designers and consumers are increasingly turning to environmentally friendly and sustainable products and materials for their kitchens and the rest of their homes.