/ Cooking Up Conservation

by Anokhi Admin

Cooking Up Conservation

Aug 08, 2013

Sustainability and a Greener Kitchen

With the kitchen being one of the home’s most frequently used rooms, what better place to start an environmentally-friendly plan of action. Nowadays, going green is not just for the hardcore eco-friendlies who strive to save the planet in a huge way, everyone can do their part–be it big or small. And let’s face it, going green is not just smart, it’s trendy. So don’t worry about compromising style for substance. From the simple to the more structural, ANOKHI took the green challenge and found ways to model your kitchen in eco-high style!

WHAT’S COOKING?

What’s a kitchen without a fridge? With their entire product offering being ENERGY STAR qualified, Bosch home appliances are raising eco-performance standards with their fall 2007 collection. Highlights of the new collection include the Integra dishwasher, the most energy-efficient in the industry, which checks the soil level in water and adjusts the water level and cycle accordingly; the induction cooktop that uses electromagnetic technology to directly heat only the contents of the pan, leaving the surrounding cooking surface cooler to the touch; the wall oven with a built-in temperature-detecting probe that allows the oven to turn itself off once a meal’s preset internal temperature is reached; and the Integra refrigeration series, which includes custom modes to conserve energy. bosch-appliances.ca

LIGHT MY FIRE

Turn up the heat on conventional kitchen lighting with EcoSmart Fire’s groundbreaking concept: an innovative and environmentally-friendly open fireplace. The EcoSmart Fire reinstates the open fire as a centerpiece in the home, enhancing social interaction–and the e-friendly system is fuelled by the renewable and globally-popular fuel, denatured ethanol, producing minimal smoke and other waste gas. ecosmartfire.com

SPLASHED IN STONE

A new “stone age” is emerging with Ocean Stones Mosaic Tiles, ideal for kitchen backsplashes. The Ocean Stones are gathered from the Indonesian Archipelago, each colour being specific to a particular region. Handpicked, the stones are sorted by size and shape, washed, and then carefully laid on a mesh backing, resulting in a durable, unique, eye-catching e-friendly backsplash. oceanstones.ca

GLASS CLASS COUNTERTOPS

With over 85 per cent recycled glass content, Vetrazzo allows homeowners to exhibit both their style and their respect for the earth and environment. Composed of a proprietary formula that combines recycled glass, cement, additives and pigments, Vetrazzo is a line of exquisite surface materials crafted from recycled glass used for countertops. The largest proportion of glass comes from curbside recycling programs and other glass comes from post industrial usage, windows, drinking glasses, stemware, automotive glass, stained glass, laboratory glass, reclaimed glass from building demolition, and other unusual sources such as decommissioned traffic light lenses! vetrazzo.com

PAINT THE WORLD GREEN

Colour sets the tone in any room, with the kitchen being no different. Paint your kitchen with a clear conscience, using Boomerang recycled paint. Their rich palette of colours is not only inspired by nature but is nature-friendly too. Unlike conventional paints which release a high level of volatile organic compounds, Boomerang water-based paints’ VOC content is significantly lower than Environment Canada’s 2008 standard. Manufactured from unused, recycled domestic paint and stain, Boomerang products still have the same properties as new paint, meeting industry standards for quality, while providing great coverage, easy application and a durable, easy-to-clean finish. boomerangpaint.com

HOT SEAT

Take a stand on seating…and other kitchen furniture with DeBoer’s earth-friendly everGreen home furnishings line. Coined as Canada’s ‘most stylish approach to environmental concerns’, everGreen uses sustainable hardwoods from certified forests; low VOC emissions; and water-based glues and stains that are either formaldehyde-free or that meet the European Union E1 standard. For upholstered items, there are additional criteria for the use of 100 per cent natural latex foam and the availability of eco-friendly fabrics such as wool, organic cotton and recycled fibres. As well as introducing new products, the everGreen program will involve an extensive coding system highlighting existing products that meet or exceed certain criteria.

DRAPED IN CHIC

No more endless searching for eco-friendly window fashions that complement your décor. Curtainsalacarte.com offer sustainable and organic fabrics in their Chic and Green Collection. With many patterns and pleat styles to choose from, windows can now wear their own sustainable style.

_{WORDS JAYANI PERERA}