At a time when the only kitchen recycling that seems to be going on is the regurgitation of naff TV programme ideas for celebrity cooking, kitchen challenges, cooking for idiots, rotating dinner parties in the homes of various insane weirdo’s or restaurant rants by potty-mouthed ex footballers, the concept of genuinely eco-friendly and ethical kitchen accessories and home furnishings may seem horribly quaint, not to mention middle class.
Those of us who enjoy cooking but would also like to do our bit to save resources and the environment can feel unbelievably superior and smug by choosing kitchen accessories that once had a former existence. Recycled cast iron cookware is also readily available with a range of pots and pans that are extremely durable, high quality and built to last. These recycled pans are free fromany chemical coating so no noxious materials are released, even when the pan is heated to over 300° C.An oxide film which is produced naturally on the surface prevents the pan from rusting and provides an effective non-stick surface, so these pans are even better for cooking and are widely used in Japan.
The more obvious candidates for recycled kitchen products are tableware items.Many products made from eco friendly materials can be obtained, such as handmade linen, bamboo, raffia and bead placemats.Most are also ethically sourced from co-operatives supporting fair pay and promoting basic human rights for workers.
Home furnishings too can be just as ethically responsible but functional and attractive. Fabrics can enhance your living space with throws made from reclaimed yarn or sustainably sourced linen, hand-made on traditional looms.There’s even a range of ingenious , attractive, wall clocks that look like genuine slate timepieces made entirely from recycled vending machine coffee cups. The cups are sourced directly from the national Save-A-Cup scheme and processed into creations that look fantastic on a wall or as a sundial in the garden.
