Retro Kitchens Go Green

Retro kitchens are no longer as much a trend as they are an established category in kitchen design. The theme is cheerful, nostalgic, and can be pulled together relatively inexpensively.

The retro theme has also gained in popularity with people that are beginning to reject the throwaway mentality. They want products that have more endurance and durability. They want to go back to a time when things were made to last, not made to be immediately discarded.

By combining retro style with an eco-friendly mindset, you will not only save money, but will also help the environment.

Going green in the kitchen does not necessarily translate to spending thousands of dollars. You can have a stylish kitchen that incorporates environmentally friendly kitchenware and accessories, regardless of your budget.

The good news is there are still plenty of mid-century kitchen accessories available that can be purchased inexpensively at flea markets, estate sales and online.

Take vintage refrigerator dishes, for example. They are the perfect sustainable alternative to disposable plastic containers. By using these dishes, with their lids, you’ve accomplished two things; you’ve recycled by purchasing previously owned items, and you’ve reduced your use of plastics, which can be harmful to the environment.

A set of colorful anodized aluminum tumblers can be used at the kitchen table, or the picnic table, and can reduce or eliminate the use of Styrofoam cups.

Or consider using vintage cloth napkins. They’ll add a splash of funky color and retro pattern to your table, while reducing the use of paper napkins.

It may not seem like much on an individual level, but with every little design step we take in the kitchen, we can collectively reduce our carbon footprint and move towards a greener future.