Stylish Green Kitchen Gear

The kitchen is a hotbed of environmental no-nos. Nearly everything runs on electricity. Some things run almost constantly. And of course, there are the careless mishaps. How many times have you left that coffee pot plugged in, or that refrigerator door open?

We're guessing more than you can count.

You might want to start--the typical refrigerator uses 4.6 million Btu per year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. That's nearly 5% of total household annual electricity consumption. The bill? On average, $126 per year is spent on powering one's refrigerator.

Now think about fridges that run on less. The Sub Zero 601R is one such model. It requires less energy than a 100-watt light bulb and is expected to cost owners $37 per year to run.

Products like this represent the future of high-end appliances, says Robert Passikoff, founder and president of Brand Keys, Inc., a New York City brand and customer loyalty consultancy. Machines like ovens, coffee makers and fridges already have all the bells and whistles they can handle. Now it's time to improve their efficiency.

"There are only so many things you can do with an oven or a fridge," says Passikoff. "Some sense of added value is what consumers are responding to."

One example: The NatureMill Automatic Indoor Composter allows you to efficiently transform biodegradable items and paper into fertilizer. It uses only 10w of power, which totals about .50 per month, or $6 per year.

High design, not just efficiency, characterizes other green appliances. The stainless steel Smeg FU67-5 Oven features clean lines that will fit in to even the most minimalist kitchen and boasts an energy-saving, quick preheat option.

Who is behind these ecological improvements? Consumers, Passikoff says, are the ones demanding changes from manufacturers. But industrial designers are responsible as well.

Designer Joey Roth created his new teapot, available this fall, with sustainability in mind. All parts are recyclable, and pigment and paint free. The packaging on which instructions for use are printed is made of unbleached, recycled cardboard.

Will Roth's customer appreciate such touches as much as they appreciate the product’s utility? He thinks so.

"As the situation with the environment becomes more serious," he says, "I see a trend toward small and mindful products."

Source: Forbes, 9/12/07