Sustainable Practices in Custom Outdoor Kitchen Design
Everybody loves food; it’s one of the great things that brings people together and makes us a community. Nowadays, more and more food establishments are popping up even in our cities, as evidenced by the rise of outdoor kitchens in Sydney, but do you know what’s even more impressive? These establishments are adopting sustainable practices to do their share in conserving and minimizing their impact on the environment by opting for sustainable choices. So if you plan on re-designing your kitchen, maybe this is your sign to do your share for Mother Earth’s conservation.
Going green: choosing eco-friendly materials and design for sustainability.
We’ve already heard about this “sustainability” schtick for decades now, and you know what? You may even be doing it already without your knowledge! But in case you haven’t joined the bandwagon, here are things you can do to save the environment:
Use recycled and recyclable materials. If you’re still using plastic, switch to materials sourced from recycled content, like reclaimed wood, eco-friendly composite materials for your cabinetry, and countertops for your kitchen storage and workspace, respectively.
Go for low-VOC finishes. If you plan on repainting your space, make sure you use low-volatile compound (VOC) paints and stains so you can decrease harmful emissions and indoor air pollution.
Switch to energy-efficient appliances. For this one, fortunately, there are a lot of energy-efficient appliances available on the market, so there’s less energy consumption with high energy efficiency ratings. One more thing: we’re all trying to lessen the use of fossil fuels, so opt for models that are powered by natural gas or propane.
Conserve water and use water-wise fixtures. This is one of the most common sustainable practices everybody has been doing, yet sadly, many more take it for granted. As an outdoor kitchen owner, incorporate water-saving faucets in your facilities and consider adopting a rainwater harvesting system so you can use the said water for cleaning.
Prioritize shade and ventilation. The kitchen tends to get too hot at times, so to lessen your reliance on cooling equipment, make sure to plan the space thoroughly and provide proper ventilation for better air quality and energy efficiency. And don’t forget to provide ample shade for both your employees and customers, especially if you offer al fresco dining.
Doing our part: a list of sustainable practices you can do every day.
So now that you have an idea of what to do as a food establishment owner, or maybe as someone who owns their own outdoor kitchen, you can take it up a notch by applying these sustainable practices daily.
Recycling. There are a lot of recyclable materials out there that you can use—empty bottles that you can use as vases or aluminum cans as small planting pots—so make sure to set up a recycle bin for these.
Composting. For your plants, you can use food waste to create produce-nutrient soil by making a compost bin.
Energy and water conservation. This is a no-brainer, but we might as well take the time to remind you to turn off the lights and kitchen appliances when not in use. For water, be mindful of how much you consume when cooking and cleaning, and use water-efficient products.
Sustainable landscaping. Finally, it will save you money in the long run if you start planting your own produce; incorporate native plants like tomato, basil, peppermint, or parsley. Besides that, include low-maintenance plants in your outdoor space for aesthetics and cooling effects.