What are the key elements of designing a sustainable kitchen?

The first step is to select a Carbon Neutral – or better, Carbon Negative – manufacturer like Keller where there are no restrictions on achieving a truly sustainable kitchen as the entire manufacturing process is fully sustainable. There are other considerations too. An example is good storage planning which can be key to a kitchen becoming integral to a more sustainable lifestyle. For example, storage space for reusable storage vessels can be used for bulk buying of some food-stuffs and household goods, drastically reducing the need for single use plastics and other packaging materials.  Room for hot and filtered water taps will do the same job and leave more space on the worktop as the homeowner will not need a kettle!

What products and materials are suitable for an eco- and long-lasting kitchen from Keller?

The entire range is devised around being a Carbon Neutral producer of the best quality kitchen furniture, whilst providing the best value with true Dutch differentiation in terms of service and creativity. Longevity of a kitchen with particular reference to the finishes can be determined by the choices made at the outset

For example, a family with younger children would be best advised to consider materials such as Melamine and Fenix® rather than veneers or lacquered fronts given the potential demands and possibility of damage. With the superb 3D Melamine available these days, the look and feel of real woods, grains and textures is possible proving inherent durability and longevity. Carcasses and doors that are laser-edged give the perfect finish so the edging becomes fully integral to the material. Whilst aesthetically pleasing, the added benefits are the ultimate protection from water and general moisture ingress which is so damaging to a kitchen; then add the environmental benefits of not using glue which eradicates the associated environmentally harmful chemicals. Designers need to look towards ensuring all the materials used in the kitchen are acquired via fully-sustainable means with certified processes.

What are Keller’s environmental policies in short? 

Keller has been a Carbon Neutral manufacturer for over five years; it is enshrined within the corporate social responsibility ethos. In 2021, the next step – to be a Carbon Negative manufacturer – was taken. This initiative extracts 150 tonnes of carbon from the air over a five-year period that will be put to good use in agricultural soils; the 150 tonnes is the equivalent carbon output of a normal kitchen manufacturer making 70,000 kitchens. 

Keller’s goal in terms of sustainability is to learn, adapt and adopt technologies and processes that maintain our status as a world-leading force in sustainable manufacturing of kitchens. The company will never rest on its laurels and will eradicate as much CO2 as possible while making beautiful kitchens attainable that don’t cost the earth; all whilst taking care of our people, the planet and delivering adequate profit for our business and partners. 

Becoming Carbon Negative is an all-encompassing circular process; from the materials Keller acquires from renewable sources to recycling old kitchens no longer required, and everything in between. This includes, for example, generating proprietary electricity from over 8,000 solar panels on the factory roof, using technology such as no glue laser edging, water-based lacquering, advanced production processes, recyclable packaging only, bio-mass heat/energy generation, greening of the entire fleet of vehicles, planting forests in Bolivia and more.

Keller Kitchens is proud to be a Carbon Neutral kitchen manufacturer and has been since 2017.

For further information, please visit www.kellerkitchens.com.