When we talk about sustainable kitchens today, don't you immediately think about the origin of ingredients, organic meat from animal-friendly husbandry, and vegetables from ecological cultivation? Desirable things that we gladly choose for the sake of the environment. But not only what ends up on the plate can and should be sustainably sourced—also the surrounding area where meals are prepared, in other words: the kitchen itself. Ecological kitchen furniture, energy-efficient kitchen appliances, sustainable purchases, environmentally conscious cleaning, and waste separation—all these factors play a role if you desire an ecological kitchen. Of course, you should still not neglect climate-friendly and sustainable recipes. Read on this page how you can create a cooking environment built upon a resource-saving, sustainable concept—from planning and furnishing to usage and cleaning.

The "Lexikon der Nachhaltigkeit" describes the term as protecting resources and goods, ensuring the preservation of objects in question. Additionally, this definition includes not consuming more than what can be regenerated sustainably. Applied to the kitchen, this means: kitchen furniture must come from resource-conserving production, and the electrical appliances used—such as stove, oven, refrigerator and freezer, as well as toaster, blender and other small appliances—must both consume as little energy as possible and possess a long lifecycle. And smaller kitchen items like containers, cooking spoons & Co. can and must also not be overlooked. In the sustainable kitchen, these items are not made of plastic and synthetics, but rather from glass and certified wood. That is one side of it.

Conscious storage of food is also a criterion for the sustainable kitchen. By developing a good food storage strategy, you kill two birds with one stone. Firstly, not all foods need to be stored in the refrigerator, as this increases the power consumption of this appliance—and because certain foods, such as bread, spoil faster when refrigerated. Even tomatoes and bananas should not be kept in the fridge. Secondly, it is advisable in terms of storage to avoid plastic and synthetic trays, thus preventing the consumption of microplastics. These microplastics penetrate food stored in plastic containers. Those who choose to store food instead in products like glass, ceramic or clay utilize the sustainability of these materials to their advantage. This also applies to spatulas, cooking spoons, and similar kitchen utensils.

Finally, cleaning the kitchen with biodegradable and sustainable cleaning agents also offers advantages—both for furniture, appliances, and storage containers on one hand, and for you as a user on the other. Those who use aggressive cleaning agents to clean the kitchen risk damaging kitchen furnishings due to chemicals contained in these products. Ecologically degradable cleaning agents, on the other hand, preserve materials. Environmentally friendly agents are naturally beneficial for you as they are gentler on your respiratory system and skin. And, last but not least, you significantly reduce the burden placed on wastewater by cleaning your kitchen in an environmentally considerate manner.

The other side: A kitchen whose furnishing alone might be described as sustainable does not automatically qualify as a holistically sustainable, ecological kitchen. Because it also comes down to the use of the kitchen and its appliances, especially the consumption of water and energy. The dishwasher, for example, plays a role too. It also matters what we buy, how we store food, and whether we have to throw away food. Additionally, it is about avoiding waste and correctly separating it—and about how we clean. Sustainable cleaning of the kitchen using biodegradable cleaning agents is also part of the holistic concept of ecological kitchens.

Although wood is naturally a renewable resource, if it originates from regions where uncontrolled deforestation takes place—where forests are cleared extensively, for example to create space for livestock grazing—then wood cannot be considered a sustainable material. Make sure that the wood used as raw material for your kitchen furniture bears a certification label, such as the FSC or PEFC certificates. This ensures that your kitchen furniture is sourced from manufacturers who at least produce some furniture in a climate-neutral manner, offset their CO₂ emissions within defined periods, or at least openly manage their CO₂ emissions (while striving to reduce them at the same time). There are also other labels such as the Goldene M, ÖkoControl, Blauer Engel, Eco-Institut or PEFC. Later we will talk about their meaning and the requirements furniture manufacturers must fulfill in order to obtain these certifications for their furniture.

It doesn't always have to be wood, however. Especially for your worktop, there are good alternatives available nowadays. For example, Neolith, a ceramic material that looks and feels like stone. It is extremely durable, recyclable, and composed of silica, feldspar, clay and mineral oxides. Natural stone is also ideally suited, as it is not composed of multiple materials and can therefore be produced with exceptionally low energy expenditure.

When choosing suitable materials for your sustainable kitchen, you can orient yourself firstly by the points mentioned above. On the other hand, you should absolutely ensure that you like their design—without compromise. After all, it's also about feeling comfortable and spending enjoyable time in your ecological kitchen. When making your selection, therefore, focus on the certifications and chemical-free materials listed above, but also on a design that you unquestionably like.

Sustainable kitchen furniture often goes hand in hand with a simple, elegant design. If you keep the furnishing relatively straightforward, it is usually enough to add just a few new accessories to remodel your kitchen. This means minimal material usage, saving not only resources but also money and effort. And these savings are equally sustainable.

Be sure to remember greenery in your kitchen. If you use a few pots of herbs as decoration, you'll highlight the sustainable character of your kitchen simply through this type of planting—and when cooking, these herbs also offer practical benefits. Yet the advantages of adding greenery to your kitchen aren't purely culinary. Plants like the weeping fig, calathea, peace lily, flamingo flower or various indoor ferns not only look beautiful—they also purify the air, making your kitchen even more ecological and healthier.

Be sure to remember greenery in your kitchen. If you use a few pots of herbs as decoration, you'll highlight the sustainable character of your kitchen simply through this type of planting—and when cooking, these herbs also offer practical benefits. Yet the advantages of adding greenery to your kitchen aren't purely culinary. Plants like the weeping fig, calathea, peace lily, flamingo flower or various indoor ferns not only look beautiful—they also purify the air, making your kitchen even more ecological and healthier.