Building a "Green Kitchen" comes down to material choices, appliance efficiency, lighting efficiency, water efficiency, and sometimes just using local or close manufacturers.
Material Choices
Cabinets:
- Woods solid- Bamboo, Lyptus, or some local quicker growing woods like Knotty Pine or Knotty Alder
- Reconstituted veneers Article link
- Finishes- Low VOC, or even no VOC
- Plywood - No Formaldehyde, certified forest products
- Use your regional manufacturers
- Manufacturer has a certification by the KCMA Environmental Stewardship Program
Countertops:
- Recycled glass/cement
- Bamboo wood
- Urban forest local slab wood
- Recycled paper stone without plastic resins
Efficiency
Appliances:
- Cooking- gas is more efficient than electric, or induction is the better electric, convection helps cook faster
- Refridgerators- well insulated
- Dishwashers- well insulated, water efficient,
Lighting:
- No Brainer here LED for all lighting. There is absolutly no reason not to go LED. Use Local manufacturers like American Lighting.
Plumbing Fixtures:
- Faucets- water efficient
- Sinks- Im not sure, needs research
