 Handling kitchen waste is easy when it is set up right to achieve sustainable interior design.
Making it work and making it into a habit is all about having a convenient efficient system.
 For many years, I deposited vegetable peelings into a hand-thrown pottery jar obtained on a trip to Crathes Castle in Scotland. That worked until one winter day when I slipped on ice on the way to the backyard composter, and down crashed the jar. The glue gun repaired it somewhat.
 Shortly after, the city created a municipal composting program and supplied a plastic lidded pail for use on the counter or stowed under the sink. Under the sink was inconveniently low and on the counter was not particularly elegant. One of my clients keeps their plastic pail in a drawer beside the sink.
The renovation of my kitchen last year was the chance to make a truly wonderful waste system that is one of my favourite features in the kitchen!
 The Blanco undermount Solon stainless steel unit was installed beside the small sink that I use for preparing vegetables. It is easily washed and holds 7 litres. For plastic laminate countertops, the topmounted unit could be used.
 For recycleable food packaging and the small amount of actual garbage that cannot be composted or recycled, I selected the Ikea system of pull out bins. There are many variations on these at the local hardware store, and choosing the right one depends on the number of bins you need for your municipality, the size of your family, and how much waste is generated.
 Whatever system is selected, thought should be given to how easily accessible the bins are with wet hands. Even the most environmentally friendly cabinet material will prematurely age if the finish is constantly exposed to water because the door knobs or  handles are hard to hold, force you to touch the wood cabinet, or are mounted too low for convenient reach. It is also important that the system can be easily cleaned with detergent and hot water to maintain sanitation.
These are the considerations that make recycling in a well-designed kitchen easy and practical. For more information or to book a seminar on environmental considerations for interior design, contact the office at info@daylelaing.com |
