Green Tip • Couple ditches their fridge

Appliance produces five times its weight in carbon emissions

By Jon Biemer

The Portland Tribune, Nov 12, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

JONATHAN HOUSE / Pamplin Media Group

Willow and Jon Biemer enjoy lunch of fresh foods in their no-refrigerator home.

My wife Willow and I have been living well without a refrigerator for seven years. In answer to the question “How do you do it?” we have compiled 30 tips.

If letting go of that icebox seems too audacious, just add a few of these ideas to your repertoire. Sustainable practices build on one another.

1. Visualize the environmental savings. Unplugging our refrigerator reduces carbon dioxide emissions by five times its weight every year – 1,400 pounds, almost three-quarters of a ton.

2. Experiment by unplugging the refrigerator. Think of it as a two-week adventure, like camping.

3. Be a part-time vegetarian (like Jon) or a full-time one (like Willow). Fruit and vegetables keep better than meat and dairy products.

4. Learn some dishes that can easily be made with fresh food. Stir-fries and smoothies are staples for us.

5. Grow your own food. Food keeps better on the vine than in the house, is healthier and avoids using fossil fuel for transportation.

6. Notice the superior flavor of fresh local vegetables and fruit.

7. A good juicer makes it easy to have fresh and tasty fruit or vegetable juices whenever you want.

8. Think of grocery stores and restaurants as community refrigerators. It becomes a special occasion when someone brings ice cream home.

9. Notice that most items in the grocery store are not refrigerated. Fruit and vegetables keep for a week or more. Grains, dried beans, dried fruits, boxed food and canned food keep much longer.

10. Having canned food on hand is convenient.

11. Use the winter cold. In Oregon we are blessed with free outdoor refrigeration six months a year.

12. Use an outside food box to protect food from wildlife, pets and light. Which side of your house is the coolest?

13. Potlucks, at home and away, round out your diet – and build community.

14. Leftovers make a gourmet breakfast. Most food keeps overnight.

15. Right-sized meals avoid leftovers. Have healthy snacks available if people are still hungry.

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