We all want to do our bit for the environment, but with all the water, gas and electricity used in the kitchen this probably isn't the easiest place to up your green credentials around the home.

But as you frantically turn your kitchen sink taps off the second you've filled up the washing up bowl and meticulously work out the exact amount of water you need to boil for one cup of tea, it's worth remembering that there are plenty of other ways you can go green in the kitchen.

And according to Philiep Caryn, external communications and PR manager at Quick-Step, one way to be kind to the planet is to ensure that your flooring materials are coming from an environmentally friendly source.

"Natural floors such as wood have their own impact on the environment and must be considered carefully," he says.

"Just because it's made from wood, doesn't mean that it is good for the environment and you should always establish exactly where your wood floor comes from."

Wooden floors often look great in the kitchen, but for a free conscience, it's worth taking Philiep's advice and checking the green credentials of your flooring supplier before laying down your floorboards.

And if you're not certain that the wood flooring you're keenly scrutinising is up to scratch, it may be worth opting for a different material, such as vinyl linoleum or laminate.

Laminate flooring is incredibly popular among homeowners due to it's durability, versatility and appearance, and can currently be found in environmentally friendly kitchens up and down the UK.

Philiep adds: "While many love the appeal of solid wood, high-quality laminate flooring gives the look and feel [of wood flooring] and for those who want the aesthetic of tropical woods, without resorting to felling these slow growing trees that are a precious resource."