Turn your kitchen green

Renewable crops are making their way into everyday kitchen products and providing consumers with appealing options that are good for the environment.

Story by Cory Hare

In the not-too-distant future, uttering the phrase "pass the corn" could bring an avalanche of unexpected items.

A company called NatureWorks, a subsidiary of Cargill, has developed a way to make synthetic fibres and plastic-like material out of cornstarch instead of the usual petroleum-based materials. The result: curtains, rugs, clothes, biodegradable cutlery, food containers, milk bottles, drink cups and food packaging - all made from corn.

And that's not the only agricultural crop finding its way into everyday kitchen items. You can get yourself a hemp apron at Mark's Work Wearhouse and hemp countertops may be next to hit stores.

Calgary-based Avanti Polymers is using hemp fibres to produce a durable yet lightweight product that can be made into countertops, stool seats or desktops. The hemp is grown in all three prairie provinces and makes up more than half of the product's composition. "The world is looking for natural fibre right now," says Avanti president Harry Funk. "They're trying to figure out how to keep from cutting all the trees down."

But green building products aren't an automatic slam-dunk from a business perspective. Dow announced last fall that it was ceasing production of its particleboard made from wheat straw. The product couldn't compete with its wood-based counterparts because it was just too expensive to make, said Wayne Wasylciw, an agri-fibre researcher at the Alberta Research Council.

Despite the failure of wheat straw particleboard, several companies around the world are gearing up to turn straw into heavier structural board that will compete with wood-based plywood in home construction, Wasylciw says.

Though many of the innovative products being developed aren't quite ready for market, the public still got a sneak peek thanks to the Green Kitchen, an exhibit that appeared at the Calgary Stampede last year during a western Canada tour. Set up in a round steel grain bin, the display included cutlery and carpets made from corn, cabinets made of wheat straw and countertops made from hemp.

"All of this stuff is starting to take off, and that's why we're using the Green Kitchen to illustrate that to people," says Ray Mowling of the Council for Biotechnology Information, a Green Kitchen sponsor. The exhibit is also intended to educate people about biotechnology applications. While many people may be aware that biotechnology is being used to create improved varieties of canola, it's not as well known that the same science is behind the development of these bioproducts.

Futuristic exhibits aren't the only place to find green building products. Some companies are now making plywood from soy-based glues instead of formaldehyde adhesives, and wood products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) come from sustainably managed forests. These products are in stores now.

"If you're an average joe and you don't have a whole lot of money, Ikea actually uses FSC certified wood," says Edmonton interior designer Stephani Carter.

Many people are turning to bamboo and cork as green flooring options, since bamboo can be harvested every eight years or so while cork can be harvested without cutting down the tree. These products are grown overseas, however, and may not be the most sustainable choice considering the energy required to ship them to Canada. Carter's preference is FSC certified maple. "Local is always the number one factor in sustainablity," she says.

The trend toward green building started slowly in the mid-'90s and is set to take off, says Simon Knight of the Canada Green Building Council, an organization that promotes environmental building practices.

Though green options can cost 10% to 15% more, they have many benefits. Green products provide farmers with more crop options, place less stress on landfills when they're discarded and provide people with a better place to live.

"Ultimately, buildings are for people and your home is for you to live in," Knight says. "Who ultimately benefits from a home that's greener are the people that live in it." And if our homes are greener, the result is a better environment for everyone.

Tips for Greening Up Your Kitchen

Lighting: When designing your kitchen, try to maximize the use of natural light. Use compact fluorescent bulbs in light fixtures as these use 75% less energy than standard bulbs.

Waste: Re-use bags for grocery shopping, sort garbage into recyclables and compost organic matter. Use water-saving faucets and dishwashers.

Appliances: If your appliances are 10 years old or older, think about making a change, as newer ones are much more efficient. For example, a 2002 refrigerator with an Energy Star rating uses 34% less energy than a typical refrigerator sold just five years earlier.