Want to know more about sustainable kitchen furniture? Then you've come to the right place! Cooking environmentally friendly is one thing - but making the kitchen itself environmentally friendly is another. For a kitchen's material to be truly sustainable, it should always come from environmentally friendly production, be stable and, of course, be cared for with respect. But what do consumers really need to look out for when buying a sustainable kitchen in practice?
In this article, I would like to give you the most important materials and tips and show you how to get the most ecological kitchen furniture possible - from the cabinets and worktop to the kitchen appliances. Let's go!
You can find a brief overview here in advance:
- Cupboards
- Worktop
- Kitchen appliances
- Decorative layer
- Floor
- Recycling
- Longevity
- Certification
- Brands
- Planning
1. cabinets
Let's start with the kitchen cabinets and their fronts. The renewable, natural resource Wood is definitely the most commonly used and most natural material - but not automatically sustainable. So make sure that they are made from Solid wood manufactured or consists of certified wood-based materials. The material should be as untreated as possible in other words, without chemical pollutants. It is also recommended that you use wood from organic forestry and do without tropical woods to help protect the environment. Deforestation of the rainforests to stop.
Tip: If you can't find a kitchen that meets your requirements, it's also worth talking to your trusted cabinetmaker, who is more likely to use regional resources than a national furniture company.
2. worktop
The same applies to truly sustainable worktops made of solid and real wood as to kitchen cabinets. There are even strong surfaces that are completely from old furniture, wooden packaging, as well as construction and demolition wood and show no difference in stability compared to conventional models.
Natural stone is also a suitable material. Compared to ceramics, for example, it is produced using significantly less energy as it does not have to be composed of different raw materials.
In the meantime, however, there are also ceramics, such as Neolithwhich are ideal as durable worktops with a stone look and feel. The extremely durable material is a recyclable mixture of natural mineral oxides, clay, feldspar and pebbles.
3. kitchen appliances
Whether refrigerator, dishwasher, stove or oven - the appliances in your kitchen should also be environmentally friendly. In addition to the material used, energy efficiency plays a particularly important role in the assessment. It describes the ratio of the benefits to the energy used. The lowest energy consumption is achieved by Appliances with an energy efficiency rating of A (or A+++).
Important: When you save energy in the household your refrigerator should not be exposed to sunlight. It should also allow you to organize the contents in different temperature zones to keep your To preserve food for longer.
4. decorative layer
The decor is a thin surface layer that covers the wooden doors of kitchen cabinets, for example. It is usually made of high-quality plastic or paper. A naturally sustainable decorative material is also Linoleumwhich consists of natural resins, wood flour, linseed oil and natural color pigments. However, when making your purchase decision, always refer to Paper ecolabelssuch as the Blue Angel.
Tip: If you prefer pure wooden doors without artificial decor, then make sure that they are treated with a soft, natural wood finish.
5. floor
Linoleum, but also certified wood or concrete are also used in the kitchen sustainable flooring materials. For its sustainability, it is particularly important that the floor is water-repellent, as there is a greater likelihood of contact with liquids and damp food in the kitchen from time to time.
6. recycling
Truly sustainable kitchen furniture should be selected from the most consist of recycled materialto protect the environment. But even after ideally decades of use, worktops, kitchen tables, kitchen cabinets and electrical appliances should be can be recycled and reprocessed.
Tip: Although it is not impossible, it is a little more difficult to build worktops or cabinets yourself. However, even non-professionals can build their own Kitchen table DIY project with recycled oak planks and create aesthetically pleasing furniture.
7. longevity
If something is truly sustainable, it is not simply environmentally friendly, but also Permanent. That's why you should choose kitchen materials that are robust, hard-wearing and therefore very durable. However, when moving in, installing and, last but not least, using your kitchen, make sure that you keep it in good condition. appreciated and, if possible, not damaged. After all, no material in the world is sustainable if it is not cared for or handled too roughly.
8. certification
When buying a kitchen, it's difficult to do everything perfectly. However, there are a few environmental labels that can provide you with useful guidance in the kitchen studio to help you act more sustainably. Here I would like to briefly list the most important labels by which you can recognize a fairly and ecologically produced kitchen:
- ÖkoControl (Seal of approval for harmful substances)
- PEFC and FSC seal (ecological forestry)
- DGM climate label (climate protection)
- Blue Angel (generally environmentally friendly products and services)
- ISO 50001 certification (energy)
- Made in Germany (Quality assurance)
- GS mark (Safety and reliability)
- RKT Recycling Certificate (closed loops for packaging)
- …
Can you think of any other important seals? Then just write me a comment with your suggestion. I will be happy to add it to this list.
9. brands
There is probably never absolute certainty - but there are definitely some brands that you can recognize as very sustainable kitchen furniture. I have also put together a small list of examples for you:
- OSTER Kitchens: The company from the Moselle town of Cochem manufactures solid wood kitchens and plants trees for every kitchen it delivers. In addition, the company does not use tropical wood and only uses wood from ecological forestry. The finishing is also carried out using harmless materials.
- Walden Kitchens: The Austrian company "walden" also relies on European woods such as beech heartwood, robinia and oak. The kitchens have been awarded the Austrian Ecolabel.
- SCHMIDT Kitchens: The Franco-German kitchen manufacturer produces kitchens that are made from 100% recycled wood. The company's products have been awarded the PEFC seal and the "Green Franchise Award" business prize, among others.
- Rotpunkt Kitchens: The company from Bünde in North Rhine-Westphalia pursues a clear sustainability strategy and is particularly committed to reducing its own CO2 emissions. Up to 90 percent of the company's kitchens are made from recycled wood and have been awarded environmental seals such as "FSC", the "Blue Angel" and "CradleToCradle".
- …
Can you think of any other eco-friendly kitchen manufacturers? Then I look forward to your well-founded comment!
10. planning
Whether a fitted kitchen, modular kitchen, country kitchen, kitchenette, eat-in kitchen, designer kitchen or pantry kitchen - even the most environmentally friendly kitchen is not very sustainable if it has not been planned for the long term. Where do I put the cutlery, how do I cook, how much space do I need between the kitchen unit and kitchen island and how high does my worktop need to be? Questions upon questions that you should definitely answer clearly. I recommend a Kitchen plannerto avoid any planning errors and stay happy and satisfied with your kitchen for as long as possible.
Find sustainable kitchen furniture? No problem at all!
Nobody has to do everything perfectly - neither the manufacturer nor the consumer. But everyone can make a real contribution to greater sustainability in the kitchen industry. The manufacturer with recyclable, recycled, natural and durable materials, the consumer with a conscious, well-considered choice and an appreciation of natural resources.
I hope that this article on sustainable kitchen furniture has been helpful and that you are now well equipped to make a sensible and environmentally friendly choice in the kitchen studio.
Stay sustainable,
PS.: Through a A kitchen that is as plastic-free as possible you can specifically avoid waste and make a further contribution to more sustainable lifestyle of our society. You can now find out what you can do in the linked articles.
