by: John Lester Naguna
Every January, Zero Waste Month is observed in the Philippines – encouraging consumers to be responsible and mindful with their energy-consumption.
In our home, the kitchen is one of the best kick-starters to a sustainable lifestyle.
Switch to energy-efficient appliances
The kitchen typically consumes high energy consumption, with the majority of this energy going towards appliances like refrigerators, ovens, making it one of the most energy-intensive rooms in a home.
If you can afford to invest in energy-efficient appliances, look for those with yellow labels with a star rating system, which indicates the appliance’s energy efficiency level. This is part of the Philippine Energy Labelling Program (PELP), implemented by the Department of Energy (DOE) to guide consumers towards more energy-saving products.
Look for more stars, which signifies higher efficiency. This can help you lower your electricity bills, and at the same time, help the environment through lower energy consumption.
Use sustainable cooking tools and equipment
Avoid using single-use plastics and switch to reusable and eco-friendly ones like stainless steel containers, glass jars, vegetable brushes, metal straws, and metal or glass cups to avoid or less plastic waste.
Have a proper food waste segregation
Make sure to recycle food waste. Some of these can be used to feed the animals. Vegetable trimmings can also be regrown such as onions, carrots, potatoes, cilantro, and more others. Other organic waste can be used for makeshift compost pits then eventually, fertilizer.
Food scraps can be used to feed the animals we consume and to return nutrients to the soils where we grow our food and food for the animals we consume. Healthy soils result in healthy foods, air and water resources.
Be responsible in food shopping
Overbuying food can result in food waste. To avoid this, plan ahead with a shopping list and avoid impulse buying. Make sure to bring an eco-friendly bag or any reusable bag to avoid plastic packaging.
Save water
Avoid washing vegetables, fruits, or plates under the tap and instead use a bowl or a container. Double-check that water taps are closed when not in use.
Steaming, as opposed to boiling, is also a good way to conserve water. This consumes less water and preserves more nutrients.
Reducing carbon footprint and energy-consumption may not be a part of your New Year’s Resolution, but you can also start anytime—preferably today. As the Philippines is starting to move into a more sustainable future, we, too, should follow and contribute to a greener future. (JLN/PIA-NCR)
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