The zero-waste movement is appealing to an increasing number of consumers. This is because we are more conscious than ever before of the environmental and ecological challenges of a simple – and above all, healthier – lifestyle. The kitchen is the perfect room for implementing this principle. Èggo gives you a little encouragement and lots of tips to help you convert your kitchen into a ‘zero-waste’ room.
The zero-waste goal
The ‘Zero waste’ concept originated in California in the 1980s. The idea behind it ? Simply to produce less waste. The objects in our day-to-day lives are made from natural resources. Sometimes, they are manufactured, transported and distributed to the four corners of the world. You will no doubt be aware that every stage in the life cycle of an object, from production to elimination, has a significant environmental impact.
Just like you, èggo wants to reverse that trend. This starts with the process of assembling your kitchen. We collect and recycle packaging, cardboard and polystyrene. Our kitchens are also fitted with containers, measuring from 8 to 40 litres, that can be assembled as you wish, for the ergonomic sorting of your household waste, such as plastics, metals and cardboard. But what about going even further ? Follow these four principles and start reducing food waste and waste production now !
Be a better consumer and producer !
The first step ? It’s located outside your kitchen. Your consumption of food and ingredients plays a key role in moving towards a ‘zero-waste’ lifestyle :
- And as you already know, locally sourced and organic foods are your best friend ! The growth in sustainable shops is making this increasingly easy for you. No more food from the other side of the world, laced with pesticides or wrapped in two layers of plastic. Take the appropriate steps and it will soon become a habit ! By buying locally sourced and organic foods, you will improve your health and support your local economy.
- What about the garden ? A vegetable garden is the shortest route between vegetables and your plate ! If possible, start your own little vegetable garden : tomatoes, mini-courgettes, carrots, strawberries, blackberries, and so on. Be creative ! Don’t have enough space ? Consider growing herbs in your kitchen ! With èggo, you can integrate these with the style of your kitchen thanks to our hanging shelves and special drawers.
- Is it time to do the weekly shop ? Avoid waste by planning your different dishes for the week in advance. By limiting yourself to what is strictly necessary, you will accumulate and throw away much less – you’ll see !
Clever recycling? The reflex of the future !
Heaps of packaging, bags or bottles : is this a familiar image ? Food packaging is as bulky as it is difficult to recycle and is not environmentally friendly ! Change your habits by following these tips :
- Buy products in bulk : you will only buy what you need – and without the packaging ! Èggo shelves are perfect for neatly showcasing pretty glass jars for rice, pasta, sugar or flour.
- Say goodbye to plastic : make it a habit to never leave home without a small fabric or hessian bag. This is useful in so many situations ! Another tip ? Today, many shops offer cotton bags for fruits and vegetables.
- Kitchen utensils : think about sustainability before buying. Stainless-steel drinking straws, balls of tea (rather than bags), fabric napkins or kitchen roll and fabric freezer bags : there are lots of tricks available for clever cleaning or storage ! When you are out and about, sandwich containers, drinking bottles and Thermos flasks will allow you to travel light !
- When it comes to leftovers, replace tin foil or cling film with fabric lids or beeswax food wraps.
‘Zero-waste’ cooking : easier than it may seem !
Are you creative ? You’re already halfway there. Instead of throwing things away in the kitchen, it can be transformed. To this end, use your imagination to combat kitchen waste and don’t be so quick to throw things away :
- Use every part of your foodstuffs, even the most unusual. Peeled off too much ? Make the peelings into vegetable chips or eat them in soup; there is no shortage of recipes. A chicken carcass ? This will delight people in a delicious home-made soup.
- Collect the water you use to cook rice or potatoes and use it for weeding. Indeed, once it has cooled down, this water is particularly rich in starch and great for eliminating unwanted weeds.
- Is your bread drying out ? Toast it ! You can also make breadcrumbs, croutons, French toast and more besides.
- Is over-ripe fruit piling up in the bowl ? Make a delicious vitamin smoothie or a nice jam !
- Finally, composting is still key ! Organic waste, such as vegetables, coffee grounds or egg shells, makes an excellent fertiliser for your garden or plants.
Natural products: you can be the chemist !
Do you buy cleaning products with the environmentally friendly label ? That’s great. But how about playing chemist by adopting home-made solutions ? Vinegar, lemon, baking soda, Marseilles soap or black household soap are all natural products that have exceptional cleaning properties ! And what’s even better is that your kids will love researching recipes and making these ‘zero-waste’ cleaning products with you !
