Kitchen Sustainability Challenge

Would you like to create more sustainability in your kitchen? It doesn’t have to be so hard! Let’s take a look at a few of the ways we can begin to make sustainable practices habits. Participate in the Kitchen Sustainability Challenge! And while you’re at it, get the FREE Companion Worksheet below!

This is a fun challenge spread over the course of five days.

For each day of this challenge, sit down with a glass of water or a cup of coffee or tea. Make sure you have pen and paper, or simply type out a list on your computer, tablet, or phone. Keep a timer handy. Sign up below for your FREE Worksheet!

Day One

1- All set with your beverage, note-taking supplies, and timer? Set the timer for 10 minutes.

2-Brainstorm to decide just what things you hope you’ll no longer need to buy, especially single-use, disposable items. Hint – hopefully, food is not likely to be on this list 😉 Think about reusable items that are made from non-degradable materials such as plastic. Be honest with yourself!

3- You can use the examples below to get yourself started:

-Paper towels

-Disposable napkins

-Paper plates

-Plastic utensils

-“Disposable” straws

-Plastic food storage containers

Day Two

1- Set yourself up much as you did for Day One, but you won’t be sitting down for this part. Put on your sneakers. Set your timer for 20 minutes.

2- Look through what you already have that could replace the items on your Day One List. When I did this I found that I already owned a whole lot of things that were gathering dust. You don’t necessarily need to list these items, unless it helps you to do so. The main thing is to just dig these out of hiding and clean them up. Then, arrange a special place, either a cupboard or a shelf, where you can easily access these things as often as you need them. Make reminders for yourself so you can develop this new habit.

3- Here are my examples:

-A plethora of linen napkins, as well as fabric to cut squares and make more

-Old bath towels to cut up and use as countertop/bar mops in place of paper towels (If you sew, and have a few extra minutes, you can hem these to keep them from unraveling in the wash. Otherwise, a few stringy edges never hurt anyone.)

-Reusable, insulated lunch bags

-Reusable grocery bags

-Thermal coffee mug (fits in the cup holder in the car)

-Reusable water bottle

-Box of unused, unopened Mason jars (Don’t forget to recycle the cardboard box they came in)

Day Three

1- Set up like you did for Day Two, with your beverage, sneakers, and some bags and/or boxes for donations. Keep your recycling bin handy. Set your timer for 20 minutes.

2- Sort your non-sustainable items as per Day One. Place them either in the recycling bin or donation bin. Churches and schools would likely appreciate paper plates, for example.

3- After you purge your space of these things, arrange a special place, either a cupboard or a shelf, on which to store your more eco-friendly items. Make sure this is a place where you can easily access these things as often as you need them.

4- Visualize yourself using them, washing them, putting them away.

5- See how much you’ve accomplished already with this kitchen sustainability challenge?

Day Four

1- Grab your cup of Joe, water, or….? Sit down at your computer. Set your timer for 15-30 minutes. No more than 30.

2- Now is the time to assess your needs. Today’s task is to replace whatever you don’t already own with environmentally responsible products. Hopefully you won’t “have” to purchase too many things. Search and compare reviews, manufacturing information, and prices. Then, re-think, resolve, and remind yourself to make these things a habit.

3- Here are some of my examples:

-Do you enjoy drinking your smoothies out of a straw? What sounds good? Glass, bamboo, or metal?

-How about glass containers for food storage instead of plastic? Especially if you didn’t happen to have that box of Mason jars. *Farmhouse tip – I wash and re-use glass jars and their lids from vegan mayo containers.

-Organize your dishes, silverware, and cloth napkins in such a way that they are accessible for meal times.

-Make sure your pots, pans, and casserole dishes have lids. You can order lids online directly from most manufacturers.

-Think creatively about alternatives to non-sustainables, such as placing a cookie sheet over a baking dish rather than aluminum foil.

Day Five

1- You’ve guessed by now, I’m sure – pour that beverage of choice! Maybe today it will be a glass of wine or rich cocoa as a reward for a job well done!

2- Plan a sustainable way to celebrate your accomplishments!

Farmhouse Tip: Go on an outing to a park or nature center, or just around your own garden. Bring a thermos of coffee and a home-made snack. Walk, take in the beauty that surrounds you or read a book (from the library or on a tablet).

3- Keep the momentum going! Look for more ways to practice sustainability in your home.

4- Comment below, or Email me with questions at wendy@themountainfarmhouse.com

****Update – There are some circumstances in life where we need to adjust our expectations. For example, if a new family member is added to your household, paper plates may just, temporarily, take the edge off your day. If that is what works for you, don’t stress. These times in life are fleeting and we all have to do what we have to do. At the very least, I would encourage you to get the most biodegradable type of paper plate possible(not coated with wax or anything)…even better – buy the kind of paper plates that are made with recycled paper!