Conscious Consumption

The kitchen remains the social heart of the home, and it is fast becoming the environmental conscience as well. Already purchasing responsibly produced ingredients and investing time in their preparation, Americans are increasingly looking for better tools, whether they’re water-saving faucets or Energy Star–rated dishwashers. Design-minded kitchen manufacturers such as Bazzèo, Boffi, Dada, and Snaidero are doing their part by finding ways to reduce waste during the manufacturing process. This is not the conspicuous consumption of a decade ago, when Viking ranges and Sub-Zero fridges were de rigueur for resale value alone. Today’s furnishings and appliances are being designed with greater benefits in mind.