Green Eco-Conscious Designs: What are Sustainable Home and Kitchen Appliances?
As we become more informed about the ever-changing nature of climate change, we become more conscious of our decisions. When we are shaping our homes, we take into consideration not only the aesthetics but also the carbon footprint of our purchases. The best sustainable home and kitchen appliances are those that are refurbished, made from recycled materials, or made out of upcycled materials.
What is recycling?
Recycling involves collecting, sorting, processing, and remanufacturing materials like paper, glass, plastic, and more, to create new products. An example of recycling is the breaking down of single-use plastic bags and using them to create new materials for shoes.
Why is recycling important? Recycling helps with the conservation of natural resources, it reduces the need for raw material extraction aids in preserving ecosystems, and reduces habitat destruction. Additionally, it helps mitigate climate change by reducing the need for energy-intensive processes that go into creating new products out of raw materials. By doing so, it lowers greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to efforts in combatting global warming.
What is upcycling?
Upcycling is a method of recycling that is done in a way where the outcome of a product is of a higher value. It takes waste materials or unwanted products and makes them into new materials. This does not involve the breaking down of materials like recycling does. Upcycling takes the existing material to reuse or repurpose without any substantial alterations. A common example is turning old clothing into new fashion items, turning jeans into shorts.
Why is upcycling important? Upcycling gives a fresh new life to items that might have otherwise ended up at the landfill. This reduces waste and environmental impact and promotes resourcefulness and creativity.
What are refurbished items?
Refurbished items are products that have been previously owned or used and have undergone thorough inspection, repair, and restoration processes to ensure they meet the utmost quality standards and function properly. Any defective or worn-out parts are replaced and the product is thoroughly cleaned and repackaged.
Refurbished products can have been an item a customer returned, used as a display model, or have minor cosmetic imperfections. However, they are restored to a like-new condition before being resold.
It is common for refurbished items to be sold at a lower price than new products. They often come with warranties or guarantees, providing consumers with confidence in their purchase. They are quality products at an affordable price.
CUCKOO’s Commitment to Sustainability
Here at CUCKOO, we are committed to a better tomorrow for everyone now and for future generations.
Since 2016, CUCKOO has been actively incorporating eco-friendly plastic into specific rice cooker models. Building on this commitment, in 2018, CUCKOO intensified its sustainability endeavors, extending them across various household appliances.
By 2022, CUCKOO had significantly boosted its utilization of recycled raw materials, surpassing its 2019 benchmark by an impressive 117%. A few examples of CUCKOO’s contribution to change include our NELLO Air Shower and Pet Dryer which is made up of 36% recycled material, our 5-Stage Filtration H13 True HEPA Air Purifier made up of 53% recycled material, and our use of recycled and upcycled materials being used for internal packaging materials.
Furthermore, CUCKOO has refurbished its products which help with reducing material requirements, energy consumption, and carbon emissions.
Are CUCKOO Products Certified in Sustainability?
Recently in 2023, CUCKOO HomeSys, the manufacturer of CUCKOO products, announced that 42 air purifier models with increased use of recycled plastics received certifications of “E-Circular Excellent Products” by the E-Circular Governance in South Korea. The E-Circular Governance is a specialized organization for resource circulation of electrical and electronic products. This organization was formed from recycling experts, civic groups, and others directly participating in determining suitability from the perspective of resource circulation. It establishes a product certification system per the international standard ISO/IEC 17065 for product certification and conducts evaluations of resource circulation for electrical and electronic products.
As we step into the future and navigate the dynamic landscape of the kitchen and home industry, CUCKOO remains steadfast in its commitment to sustainability. This deliberate shift aims to reduce carbon emissions and underscores its proactive stance in addressing the urgent climate crisis.
Go Green
- Check out our Refurbished CUCKOO Home Products
- Check out our Refurbished CUCKOO Kitchen Products
- Find our 5-Stage Filtration H13 True HEPA Air Purifier
- Find our NELLO Air Shower & Pet Dryer
Sources
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upcycle