If you want to make sustainability a way of life, the kitchen is a good place to start! In November, the North West Sustainability Festival 2024 served up a three-day extravaganza themed "Sustainability in Every Bite". Green workshops and demos by celebrity chefs, brought fresh ideas and useful tips on how residents can incorporate green habits in the kitchen.
Check out the top sustainability tips attendees picked up!
1. Turn ugly foods into yummy foods
One of the simplest ways to embrace sustainability is to go for "ugly" produce - yes, those wonky vegetables or oddball fruits that usually don’t make it to the shelves just because they don't look perfect. Contestants in the "Ugly Food Cook-Off: Save Me, I am Ugly but Tasty!" cooking contest found out that looking beyond the blemishes, these visually unappealing foods can be just as tasty and are packed with all the good stuff!
2. Embrace zero-waste kitchen hacks
Meanwhile, the message from the "Zero Waste Cook-Off: From Waste to Taste" cooking contest was that every bit of food should count. To bring those zero-waste vibes into your kitchen, start by using the whole ingredient! For example, if you have a whole chicken, you can roast or steam it and save the bones for stock. Or if you have leftovers from other dishes, use them the next day instead of tossing them.
3. Don't toss food just because it has "expired"
Think twice before throwing out food past its best before date on the label. It's all about knowing the difference between "best before", "use by" or "expiry date", plus understanding how different types of foods – like fresh produce, canned foods, and packaged foods – are made so you can assess their edibility. How long your food can last also depends on how you store it.
4. Use beeswax wraps to cut down on plastic waste
Did you know that there's an alternative to plastic wrap for covering food and bowls? Beeswax wrap is washable, reusable, and tear-resistant, making it the perfect eco-friendly choice to store your foods. You can even make your own and have fun doing so!
5. Make your fruit enzyme cleaners using fruit peel waste
Here's another cool tip that participants at the "Multipurpose Fruit Enzymes Cleaner" workshop picked up: save your fruit peels and turn them into a natural cleaner for your kitchen! Mix them up to make a DIY enzyme that's eco-friendly and chemical free. You'll not only clean your space but also cut down on waste at the same time.
Here are more eco-friendly tips from celebrity chefs who conducted cooking demos at the Sustainability Festival.
Local Celebrity Ben Yeo demonstrates how to create his King Oyster Mushroom in Gong Bao Sauce using homegrown oyster mushrooms.
Chef Benson Tong demonstrates how to cook plant-based dishes with low or no-added chemicals.
Take the #GetGreen Challenge
Feeling motivated to live more sustainably? Take your sustainability efforts further by tapping on the green programmes available in your community! Find out more here.
Opt for reusable alternatives instead of single-use products. Bring your own tote bag for shopping and container for food takeaways.
Switch to energy and water-saving appliances. Qualify as a green home and stand to win shopping vouchers.
Reduce fashion waste by exchanging clothes. Swap and shop (Shwap!) for a new wardrobe instead.
Get your family involved and set up a recycling corner at home.
Tip: Don't throw your toilet rolls, put it to good use!
Pledge to save electricity and reduce food wastage. Cut your utilities bill by at least 5% over 4 months and you could receive $50 in e-vouchers.
Join the sustainability conversation. Connect with experts and learn how you can be a change driver for green living.
Follow our Facebook page to find out more about the upcoming forums.
Have a green idea? Submit your proposal and apply for funding to bring your environmentally-friendly project to life.
Green Bootcamp provides a series of trainings and workshops to help you generate ideas and develop solutions to address environmental issues.
Look out for the next Green Bootcamp @ North West on our Facebook page.
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