Tag Archives: a greener kitchen

DIY: Turn a Produce Net into a Dish Scrubber

Few things delight me more than a good upcycle. Why? Upcycled crafts not only feed my creative soul, but they also help us care for the planet by preventing waste. This simple kitchen upcyle is a two-for-one way to be green. You’ll save a produce net from a landfill and also reduce your consumption of abrasive dish scrubber pads in the kitchen!

It’s always nice when doing something you love also benefits our environment. Ready to craft?

Upcycled Produce Net Dish Scrubber

Supplies needed:

2 produce nets (think sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, etc.)
String or twine
Scissors

Directions:
1. Begin by laying the produce nets as flat as possible, one on top of the other.

2. Roll them up nice and tight, like you are rolling up a tortilla. (Now I’m hungry. Is it Taco Tuesday yet?)

3. Fold the roll over in half, bending it directly in the center.

4. Tie the twine or string at the center of the rolled and folded produce bags. Tie a knot tightly. Double knot.

5. Take your scissors and snip apart the ends of the produce bags. This will fan the bags open and create the “fluff” you want.

6. Continue to trim to even out the dish scrubber and get rid of any loose ends. Shape the scrubber with your scissors and pull apart the layers to fill it all out.

7. Tie an additional piece of string around the scrubber to create a hang tag. This way it can easily hang on your faucet to dry when not in use.

Now smile because you just did the earth a service and brightened up your kitchen in one go! While you’re at it, check out these other eco-friendly tools for washing dishes.

More Kitchen Stories:
10 Kitchen Hacks to Make Your Life Easier
How to Cook Up a Zero-Waste Kitchen
The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Greener Kitchen

About
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Jennifer Gervens

As an Alabama native and resident, Jennifer Gervens enjoys sharing Southern food and culture with her Jersey-born husband as well as her readers.

Sweet T Makes Three

is all about homemaking and hospitality in the Heart of Dixie.

Latest posts by Jennifer Gervens (see all)

DIY: Turn a Produce Net into a Dish Scrubber – November 14, 2016

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DIY: Turn a Produce Net into a Dish Scrubber

Posted in A Greener Kitchen, eco-friendly, FF, GE, LG, ONA, PUR, Ultima, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on DIY: Turn a Produce Net into a Dish Scrubber

Solar Powered Jacket Heats Without The Usual Bulk

You’ve heard of solar powered homes and solar powered devices, but have you heard of a solar powered jacketThermalTech is changing the way we look at fabric with its new patented energy absorbing technology.

How ThermalTech got started

ThermalTech was co-founded by Carlos Cortes Manica and Fatima Rocha Arguelles with a shared goal to “impact people’s life positively through technology.” They began by making solar technology for the solar water heater industry, but they were always inventing new ways to use materials in the area of solar.

ThermalTech has a group of seven passionate engineers that is lead by one of the best scientists in Mexico. She recently won the Mexico National Science Academy award. Her PHD thesis on solar coatings along with the team’s desire to find new ways to harness energy from the sun is the foundation for ThermalTech’s innovative fabric design.

ThermalTech is currently patented in over 10 countries. The team was trying to find the best use for their technology for a few years when they were awarded first place as Best Technological Start Up at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Morocco among 1,000 contestants. Today, they’re bringing their technology to us through their ThermalTech jackets.

“We are very excited to bring this technology to market,” said Fatima Rocha, Co-funder of ThermalTech.  “Our goal is to help people stay warm in any environment without having to sacrifice fashion and comfort.”

How ThermalTech is different from traditional fabrics

Traditional coats and jackets are designed to recycle body heat and slowly warm you up. In contrast, ThermalTech fabric is designed to capture the sun’s ultraviolet rays and energy from artificial light sources to convert and store as heat. This stored heat can increase the in-clothing temperature by 18°F (10°C) in only two minutes, even when it’s cold outside.

While most heat-storing materials are heavy and bulky, ThermalTech fabric is super lightweight, so you can say goodbye to bulky jackets. Now you can have a more fashionable look, even on the coldest winter day. The paper-thin fabric is made from stainless steel mesh threads, which makes it strong and durable in addition to being lightweight – lending to a longer lifespan for the fabric. The water repellent fabric is easily embedded in any clothing style, from jackets to pants and is machine washable.

“We believe that by introducing this solar-absorbing fabric into the apparel marketplace, the next generation of outerwear will provide the consumer with even more of an optimal temperature & fit,” said Carlos Cortes, CEO of ThermalTech.  “This will allow everyone from the snowboarder to the fashionista to be warmer in colder climates.”

Solar powered jacket even works at night

You might be wondering if a solar powered jacket can work at night. Tests prove that ThermalTech fabric can reflect your own body heat in addition to capturing energy from sunlight or artificial light. This is possible due to Infrared light, which can’t be seen by the human eye. This undetectable light can be converted into heat. So when the sun goes down for the night, the ThermalTech fabric acts like a shield between your body and the environment. And, your body transforms Infrared and UV light into extra body heat.

Don’t worry – you won’t overheat

Even though the ThermalTech smart fabric stores up energy to keep you warm, you won’t overheat. The fabric maintains your body temperature once you reach the optimal level. It works under the same principle as how your body cools itself when you exercise. At a certain point, your body will begin to expel and radiate the extra energy that is being created. The same happens with ThermalTech smart fabric technology because it understands when it’s time to expel energy.

ThermalTech solar powered jackets on Indiegogo

You can now get ThermalTech fabric on Indiegogo in its very first use – jackets. ThermalTech jackets are breathable, waterproof and slim down the traditional bulky winter look. There are three different jacket styles available for both women and men that can be used for a range of outdoor activities such as shopping, running errands, walking around town, jogging, hiking, snowboarding and camping.

Street style jacket

The Street style ThermalTech jacket is fashion inspired, and is offered in three colors for men and three colors for women. It’s made with waterproof and wind breaker fabric featuring deep front pockets and one inner pocket. It works great in temperatures from 32-50° F (0-10° C). The Street jacket allows even the most discerning fashionista to keep warm without compromising their style. It’s perfect for running errands around town or a night out on the town.

Explorer style jacket

The Explorer style ThermalTech jacket is designed for casual, every day use and also comes in three colors for men and three colors for women. It’s made from waterproof and wind breaking fabric and features a waist zipper, deep exterior with strategically placed inner pockets to carry your wallet, mountain pass or cell phone. It comes with a removable hoodie and exits for your headphones. It’s perfect for staying warm in any outdoor setting or situation and is great for campers, hikers and fishing. The Explorer style jacket works great in temperatures from 30-55° F (1-10° F).

Extreme style jacket

The Extreme style ThermalTech jacket is intended for outdoor sports and you have the choice of three colors for men and three colors for women. If you’re hitting the slopes on a snowboard or skis, you will be able to say goodbye to two to three pounds of weight and bulk without sacrificing warmth as this jacket works great in temperatures ranging from -4-14° F (-10 to -20° C). It’s made with waterproof and wind breaker fabric and features a waist zipper, deep exterior pockets and strategically placed inner pockets to carry your wallet, mountain pass or cell phone. The Extreme style jacket comes with a removable hoodie and exits for your headphones.

Each style is available on Indiegogo in several popular colors and sizes S, M, L, XL and XXL. The jackets also offer a one-year warranty. There are currently a limited number Early Bird specials of 50% off MSRP (on all jackets), so pop over to Indiegogo to choose the style that’s right for your lifestyle.

Do you see a solar powered jacket in your future?

About
Latest Posts

Chrystal Johnson

Chrystal, publisher of

Happy Mothering

, Founder of

Green Moms Media

and essential oil fanatic, is a mother of two sweet girls who believes in living a simple, natural lifestyle. A former corporate marketing communication manager, Chrystal spends her time researching green and eco-friendly alternatives to improve her family’s life.

Latest posts by Chrystal Johnson (see all)

Solar Powered Jacket Heats Without The Usual Bulk – August 26, 2016
5 Stores Who Kicked Plastic Bags To The Curb – August 15, 2016
Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Is Here – August 10, 2016

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Solar Powered Jacket Heats Without The Usual Bulk
The Ultimate Guide To Creating A Greener Kitchen
Why Solar Financing Truly Is An Art Form
Seeking Sustainable Living? 5 Inspiring Ideas
Deconstructing Construction Waste
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How To Create Your Own DIY Duvet Cover
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Solar Powered Jacket Heats Without The Usual Bulk

Posted in A Greener Kitchen, alo, eco-friendly, Everyone, FF, GE, LG, ONA, PUR, solar, solar power, Ultima, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Solar Powered Jacket Heats Without The Usual Bulk

The Ultimate Guide To Creating A Greener Kitchen

When setting out to create a greener kitchen and home it’s hard to know where to start. Information overload is definitely a problem. Five minutes on Google and suddenly I have 42 checklists, 700 “green” products to buy, and if I don’t make the changes today I’ll be diagnosed with 6 different cancers within the year.Alright, that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but I’m sure you’ve experienced something similar. There is so much info out there it’s hard to know what to do.

Creating a greener kitchen environment

In our home I focus on making small changes each week to create a greener environment. One week it’s adding more organic produce to the shopping list. The next week we’re taking time to wash and recycle cans and jars.

In order to help you take small steps towards a greener home I’ve put together this guide to help you create a more sustainable, greener kitchen.

I’m not saying you need to dive in and make every one of these changes today. But pick one thing and implement that. Once you’ve mastered that, move on to something else. The path towards a more sustainable life is taken one step at a time.

For simplicity I’ve broken this list down into the 3 R’s; Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

Reducing kitchen waste

Food waste

Image Credit: KaliAntye / Shutterstock

Food waste is a major issue facing the world right now. In the U.S., it is estimated that 40% of the food produced is never even consumed.

When you think about all the water, energy, and time that goes into producing food, that’s a ton of wasted resources!

So what can you do to reduce food waste in your home?

We often end up purchasing more food than we need. This may be because we need a certain amount for a recipe and have no choice but to purchase more than we need. Or, maybe we just shop hungry (always a bad idea).

One way to reduce your food waste is to more carefully plan your cooking. Figure out what recipes you like that share similar ingredients and plan to cook them in the same week. If you don’t enjoy leftovers, learn to cook smaller quantities of food that are better suited for your household’s size.
Another way to reduce food waste is to store your food properly. When stored properly, food will last longer, giving you the chance to eat it before it spoils.

There’s an app for that

The USDA FoodKeeper app is a great way to learn more about the shelf life of various foods and how to store them properly. The best part about this app is that it goes well beyond produce, covering baby food, baked goods, condiments, and even meat. You should definitely take a minute and download the app. You’ll be amazed at how helpful it is.

If you do end up with extra produce that you know will go bad before you can eat it all, you can always freeze a portion for later. We do this in our home all the time with berries and bananas.

Consider composting

Inevitably you’ll have food that goes bad. At home composting can be a great way to put that spoiled produce to good use.

Earth911 took a tour of Singh Farms to learn the technical details about composting. If you’re interested in learning the science of composting click here.

The greatest benefit to composting is that you end up with nutrient rich soil that can be used to grow delicious new produce. To help you get started we put together a video on all you need to know about composting.

You can also check out this article on composting in an apartment as well as the “Do’s and Don’ts of Composting”.

Cleaning products

Image Credit: jordache / Shutterstock

We all have cleaning chemicals in our kitchen, frequently stuffed under the kitchen sink. Have you ever taken a minute to read through the ingredients? Unless you’re a chemist you probably can’t pronounce most of them.

When wiping down your kitchen, floor, and dishes, these cleaning chemicals often leave behind residue that will later come in contact with your hands and food. We recommend replacing these toxic cleaning products with natural ones that work just as well.

Lemon, baking soda, and vinegar are some of the best natural cleaners out there. Here are a few quick suggestions on how to use them to clean your kitchen.

Quick tips

Remove stains from food storage containers: Squeeze the juice from a lemon into the containers, then add a little baking soda. Rub the mixture into the stains. Let sit overnight if necessary.
Clean your microwave: Slice a lemon, put it in a bowl of water and microwave for 45 seconds. This should make stains easier to wipe away and eliminate unpleasant odors.
Clean your coffeemaker: Run the machine with equal parts water and vinegar. Halfway through the cycle, turn it off and let it sit for an hour. Then complete the cycle.
Unclog a drain: Pour 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain. Rinse with water.
Make glasses sparkle: Put one cup of vinegar in the bottom of your dishwasher before you run the cycle. After you run the dishwasher, your glassware shouldn’t be cloudy.
Remove stains from coffee and tea mugs: Fill mugs with one part baking soda and two parts water and let sit overnight. Scrub and rinse in the morning.
Remove burnt food from the bottoms of pots and pans: Sprinkle baking soda over the burnt areas, add hot water and let sit overnight. Scrub in the morning.
Remove odors from food containers: Simply rinse containers with baking soda and water to remove smells. Let sit overnight if necessary.
Clean spills in the oven: Scrub the bottom of the oven with steel wool and baking soda. (Note: If you have a self-cleaning oven, don’t use this method.)

For more tips and tricks on using these natural cleaning products, download the DIY Cleaning Recipes PDF available in the Earth911 Resource Library. Click here to sign up for free.

Energy use

Image Credit: Aprilphoto / Shutterstock

Though it doesn’t happen often, when you do need to purchase new appliances be sure to purchase energy efficient ones.

Energy Star rated products are the go-to choice when it comes to finding the most energy efficient appliances. They (Energy Star) have put together a great tool that allows you to put together a profile of your whole home. After you’ve created your home profile they’ll give you recommendations on how you can save energy.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy your appliances account for about 13% of your home’s energy use. Purchasing newer, more efficient models can save you a significant amount of money over the lifespan of the appliance. When you do replace your appliances be sure to recycle your old ones properly, but more on that later.

Reuse in the kitchen

Food Storage

When it comes time to store leftovers it’s important to use sustainable food storage, and glass and stainless steel are two good options.

Glass

Glass containers such as Pyrex and Glasslock are certainly among the best options available. Glass is a long lasting material and is microwave and oven safe.

In our home, we use this set of Pyrex storage containers daily. My favorite part about using these glass food storage containers is that you can cook your meal in them and then throw the lid on and stick the leftovers in the fridge for later. It doesn’t get much easier than that.

Stainless steel

Another great option is stainless steel. Stainless steel has the benefit of not breaking when dropped like glass containers do. (When I was 16 my mom baked my favorite cake in a glass pan. We took it to the park for a party and it got knocked off the table. Glass went everywhere and the cake was ruined. If it had been in a stainless steel pan, we still could have eaten it.)

Stainless steel containers are also completely recyclable. If they get bent out of shape you can take them to your nearest scrap yard and they’ll pay you for the metal.

Another great benefit of stainless steel containers is they can be set right on your stove top to heat up leftovers.

Plastic perhaps?

We are big fans of Preserve products which are almost all made from recycled #5 plastic. Preserve products are microwave safe, dishwasher safe, BPA free, and when you’re done with them they can be sent back to Preserve to be recycled. Image Credit: Preserve Products (Instagram)

If you can’t find a glass or stainless steel container for your food, there are plastic options that are better than others. We are big fans of Preserve products which are almost all made from recycled #5 plastic. Preserve products are microwave safe, dishwasher safe, BPA free, and when you’re done with them they can be sent back to Preserve to be recycled.

One last thing before we jump in to the recycling section. If you aren’t already, start using reusable shopping bags, preferably the canvas or fabric type rather than the plastic ones as there’s no recycling solution available for the large, reusable plastic bags.

Kitchen recycling

Plastic bags

I know I just mentioned using reusable shopping bags but inevitably you’re going to have plastic bags around your home that need to be recycled. Fortunately plastic bags can be recycled at most grocery and retail stores.

While this widespread access to plastic bag recycling is still relatively new, it’s become more and more popular as retailers have set their own sustainability initiatives.

What many people don’t realize is that grocery bags aren’t the only type of plastic bag that can go in these drop off bins.

Plastic bags are typically made from plastic #2 or #4 and can be recycled together. Here are a few other products made from these plastics that you can drop off in these bins.

Ziploc type plastic bags, as long as they are clean and dry.
Plastic, air filled, shipping pouches. (Just cut them and let the air out).
Plastic bread and bagel bags, as long as you empty all the crumbs out.

Find out more about plastic bag recycling and find a location near you by visiting our Plastic Bag Recycling Guide.

Cardboard and cartons

Most city curbside recycling bins accept cardboard so check with your local area collector. Image Credit: sevenke / Shutterstock

Most city curbside recycling bins accept cardboard. To make things easier on space in your own bin, be sure to break them down so they’re flat. Don’t worry about tape and other paper that’s attached to the cardboard as this will be removed during the recycling process.

Most city curbside programs also accept paperboard which is the cardboard-like box that holds cereal, pasta, and other boxed dry goods.

Frozen food boxes, a.k.a. waxed cardboard, unfortunately are not as widely accepted. These boxes require more work to recycle so check with your city or county to find out if you can place them in the recycling bin.

Another product to check on with your city is milk and juice cartons. Many cities do accept them though it is best to double check. Visit the Carton Council to find out if your city accepts cartons in your blue bin.

Appliances

Large appliances, like washing machines, clothes dryers, water heaters, ovens, stoves, refrigerators, freezers, furnaces, and air conditioners are a big source of waste in the United States. However they often aren’t that difficult to recycle.

In fact, if you are replacing an appliance with a new one the company delivering it will often take your old one for recycling. This service has made appliance recycling far easier over the last few years.

When you do replace an old appliance with an Energy Star model, you may be eligible for a rebate. Check the Energy Star rebate finder to see if you qualify.

If you need to recycle an old appliance, be aware that there are often fees to cover the cost of removing and properly disposing of the Freon commonly found in refrigerators, freezers, and A/C units.

Find out more about large appliance recycling and find a recycling location near you by visiting our Large Appliance Recycling Guide.

A homework assignment

As mentioned, cleaning chemicals often contain toxic ingredients that are hazardous to your health. Fortunately, the Environmental Working Group has put together some fantastic resources to help understand what cleaning products are hazardous.

If you’re looking for a first step to greening your kitchen this homework assignment below is perfect. In this assignment we’re going to figure out just how hazardous your cleaning products are. Here’s what to do:

  1. Pull out some of the cleaning products you use most frequently.
  2. Click here to visit EWG’s cleaning product search.
  3. Using the search bar at the top of the page, or the Product search on the left side of the page, look up your cleaning products.

How do your products rate?

Feature image credit: alexandre zveiger / Shutterstock

About
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Brian Brassaw

Brian manages the Earth911 Recycling Search, making sure there are plenty of recycling resources available for our users. He also shares green living tips and tricks on

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and

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Latest posts by Brian Brassaw (see all)

The Ultimate Guide To Creating A Greener Kitchen – August 25, 2016
7 Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents For Fresh Clothes – June 24, 2016
Earth Day: 23 Of The Greatest Environmental Quotes – April 22, 2016

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Donate A Computer And Help Students
How To Start A School Garden
Solar Powered Jacket Heats Without The Usual Bulk
The Ultimate Guide To Creating A Greener Kitchen
Why Solar Financing Truly Is An Art Form
Seeking Sustainable Living? 5 Inspiring Ideas
Deconstructing Construction Waste
4 Creative Eco-friendly Transportation Options
Light Bulb Moment? Researchers See Bright Idea
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Why Compartmentalizing Your Garden Works
5 Stores Who Kicked Plastic Bags To The Curb

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The Ultimate Guide To Creating A Greener Kitchen

Posted in A Greener Kitchen, eco-friendly, FF, GE, LG, Mop, ONA, organic, oven, PUR, solar, solar power, Ultima, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Ultimate Guide To Creating A Greener Kitchen