Designing an Eco Kitchen
Although people have become much more environmentally aware over the past few years, it has been slow to filter down to new kitchens.
There is a case to be argued that kitchens are already reasonably eco due to their long lifetime of around 16 years, and many of the large companies work hard to improve their environmental policies.
However, we can always look to improve and so here is the knowledge so you can make an informed decision.
Carcasses Now
Carcasses are usually made of melamine faced chipboard (MFC) which is chipboard faced with resin soaked papers and actually, they're not all that bad overall!
(see geeky information about MFC here)THE GOOD
As trees absorb carbon as they grow, they are carbon negative.
Using wood from FSC managed forests means that trees are replanted as they are harvested.
The chipboard is made from the waste produced by solid wood products so is already being created from a waste
After reaching the end of it's recyclable life, it is incinerated to create energy. However, due to the carbon negative wood, it does just about balance out it's global warming impact so has no net effect.
THE BAD
Formaldehyde is the resin used to bind the papers and cannot be separated from the chipboard once bonded together
MFC can only be recycled into Low Grade materials
FYI - MDF IS A VERY DIFFERENT MATERIAL FROM MFC AND CANNOT BE RECYCLED
Carcass Eco Swap
Raw Chipboard is the same as MFC but without the resin soaked papers on the top giving it the same structural properties but not the choice of colours.
The reduction in resin means that after incineration, it's net effect on global warming goes from neutral to negative which is great.
It can be recycled into a higher quality material.
Plywood is another good alternative to MFC but can be more expensive.
Granite & Quartz Worktops Now
Granite worktops are cut straight out of the earth and shipped around the world. Quartz is a waste material quarried alongside granite which is ground up, mixed with resin and reformed into slabs.
Laminate worktops will be the same as MFC which you can read about under "Carcasses Now" in the section above.
THE GOOD
The materials themselves don't cause any environmental damage
Quartz could be a waste material but is reformed into a practical worksurface.
Water is used to keep machinery cool but is constantly recycled, reducing the amount of freshwater used as well as protecting any dirty water from affecting the local eco-systems.
THE BAD
It takes a huge amount of energy to mine these materials
They are very heavy and shipping them from China, Africa and South America uses a lot of resources in transportation
They are non-renewable materials as they take millions of years to form
Worktop Eco Swap
Use worktops that have recycled material as it's base. Examples such as Silestone's new Eco Line Quartz, Caeserstone's recycled Quartz's or recycled glass worktops are good examples.
Alternatively, wood is a great material as it is carbon negative, taken from FSC managed forests and much lighter to transport from closer countries such as Scandinavia.
Stainless steel is 100% recyclable so although has high energy costs during mining and manufacture, could perhaps be a viable option as it can be fabricated in the UK and is light to transport.
Doors Now
Many doors on the highstreet are solid blocks of MDF covered in a vinyl wrap. MDF is a cheap and structurally stable material (if kept dry). FYI - MDF is different from MFC.
THE GOOD
MDF is made from sawdust, a waste product
Ummmm....
THE BAD
The MDF and vinyl cannot be separated and are both bad to burn so are most likely going to landfill
Vinyl is a type of plastic
MDF is terrible to work with as the dust can enter the lungs and cause horrible illnesses
Not environmental but if the vinyl gets damaged, the door will swell and bubble.
Door Eco Swap
Pioneering companies such as The Real Kitchen Company have created fully environmentally friendly kitchens made from bamboo. Due to its structural stability, it can even be painted so you don't have to be a hippy and wear your eco credentials for everyone to see!
Choose real wood doors. For flat panels such as the centre of shaker doors or for modern flat doors, ask for thin plywood instead of MDF centres as wood isn't stable enough over large areas.
Ask for water based paints with low VOC's although this is now commonly used throughout the industry.
Use reclaimed materials from your antique or reclaimation yard or buy whole second hand kitchens from places like the Used Kitchen Exchange You can also sell your old kitchen if it is in good condition.
Appliances
But after patting yourself on the back for creating your eco friendly kitchen, remember that the majority of its impact will be in the use of the appliances over the next 16 years!
A+++ appliances used 60% less energy than A rated appliances!
The new energy labels have been created because there are too many +++'s.
Look into low flow taps if you regularly rinse items under a running tap
Hot taps use much less energy than kettles as the water is kept constantly at a higher temperature rather than being brought up from ambient four times a day.
Buy quality appliances that will last longer or that can have spare parts bought for them to be repaired. Some manufacturers do offer spare parts but at almost the same cost as buying a new appliance so check the prices and online reviews of common faults and required parts!
A new policy of the Right To Repair has implemented which makes it a legal requirement for manufacturers to supply spare parts for all appliances.
Stainless steel sinks can easily be recycled at the end of their lifetime as they are 100% recyclable. Some brands like Franke already make their sinks with a high percentage of recycled stainless steel.
Move away from gas as this is a valuable resource and will be banned in new builds as soon as 2025.