Breadmakers and Sustainable Living

Published on 15th August 2013

We keep hearing about how we need to make more sustainable and ecologically friendly choices. So, the good news is that owning a bread machine can help you save time, money and the environment.

sustainable living

Recyling is essential for sustainable living (image source: Flickr)

Sustainable living means different things to different people, but it could include the following:

- Limiting your use of the earth's resources

- Leading a simpler lifestyle

- Meeting your needs in a way that doesn't compromise the wellbeing of future generations

How Does a Bread Machine Help?

Making your own bread by hand or machine works out cheaper than buying the readymade variety and it can reduce your carbon footprint. Did you know that the ingredients in a typical loaf from your supermarket could have travelled thousands of miles? This is before they even get turned into bread! Once it's baked and packed, it will be sent to a depot before it finally makes its way to the shop.

Cut Down on Food Miles

You may have heard of food miles. This is the distance travelled by all ingredients in a specific item of food. When you make your own loaves, all you need to do is buy your ingredients and pop them in your breadmaker. You can also choose where to buy your ingredients from. If you want to try and source them as locally as possible, this is not a problem. You can make a more environmentally friendly loaf.

Reduce Waste

When we buy bread from shops, even the fresh variety comes with a small amount of packaging. Energy and raw materials are used to manufacture every plastic and paper bag. If you need to drive to your local shop, you will also use petrol or diesel!

It makes financial sense to bulk buy flour for your bread maker, but it also cuts down on waste and rubbish. You can also bulk buy and stock up on other ingredients such as sultanas, currants, nuts and seeds.

Affordable, Healthy, Easy Bread on Demand

Baking your own bread means you can cut out all of the nasties that can be found in some commercially produced loaves. So, using your bread machine is convenient, cheap and you can also feel good about the fact that you are doing your bit for the planet. Knowing that you're making an environmentally friendly choice always leaves a better taste in your mouth. Why not take it up a notch and enjoy some freshly made toast with some homemade jam?