5 Quick Ways to Go Paperless in the Kitchen

Paper, paper, paper!  Here, there, everywhere. As it relates to the kitchen, the hub of most homes, here are 5 quick ways to keep the paper count and waste to a minimum:

• Cloth  napkins: Really no reason to buy paper napkins for everyday use when cloth napkins are readily available.  From beautiful modern, organic prints as your local or online eco-boutique to cheap solids at the dollar store or vintage sets at the second hand shop, grab a set or two and you’ll find making the switch is easier than you think – even for the kids with fun designs at their disposal.

• Cloth towels: As mentioned above, forgo the paper towels or at least reduce the number you buy and start using cloth dish towels for spills, drying, and cleaning.  A few microfiber towels on hand also make cleaning stainless steel, chrome, glass and tile a cinch with no waste.  A few extra towels or napkins in the laundry really doesn’t make that big a difference or create any more work.

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  Don't forget your bags!

  Grocery Lists: Bet this list doesn’t change that much from week to week.  Milk, bread, fruit, etc. so why write down a new list each week.  Download a smartphone app -  like Grocery Gadget or many of the free apps out there like Grocery IQ.  If you operate best with paper in hand, consider getting a laminated master list and check off items with a dry erase marker.  You can also download a variety of lists from The Ultimatest Grocery List and laminate yourself or just slip into a sheet protector for continual use. Whatever you do, just don’t forget to bring your bags!

• Recipes: While it’s fun to search and  print off great recipes you find online, it only means more paper to deal with.  Consider sending yourself a link to your email address and filing in a recipe folder.  Easy, quick and paperless way to access that great culinary creation later on.  Just like with the grocery lists, there are also many apps to download to your phone as well to help organize or be a source of recipes right at your fingertips.

• Junk Mail/Yellow Pages: And if your kitchen is the depository for all this unsolicited waste, take steps to remove your name from mailing lists and change the number of Yellow Page books you receive, or just stop deliveries altogether at the new Yellow Pages Consumer Choice Opt-Out site.

Whether you do one or all, small steps that collectively can make a big difference in terms clutter, waste and resources.

5 Quick Ways to Go Paperless in the Kitchen republished with permission from The Green Samaritan.

Jeanne

In addition to serving as the Healthy Living Editor for Modern Hippie Mag, Jeanne Blaisdell publishes TheGreenSamaritan.com, her personal blog highlighting green living tips and information geared towards helping herself and others on their journey towards greater environmental awareness. Jeanne is the founder of EcoAvenueLtd.com, an online shopping site featuring the latest deals and promotions from a collection of earth-friendly merchants. Jeanne lives in Greensboro, North Carolina with her husband Tom and two boys, Jack (10) and Ben (7). Find The Green Samaritan on Facebook, follow on Twitter @GreenSamaritan and @EcoAvenueltd.