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When cooking: Before you decide to throw out something, take a second look at it. Can it be recycled? Generally, if it’s labeled as a number 1 or 2 plastic, the item can be recycled. (Don’t forget to recycle all paper products as well.) Can it be reused? Perhaps a container that can’t be recycled could come in handy as a temporary container or mixing bowl for a different meal. Can it decompose? Leftover vegetables, bread crumbs, fruits, and other foods can be put in the compost. If you have a garden, but not a composting system, it might be time to invest in one. A composting system can help spare your landfill of needless waste, meanwhile it also will help build a soil-like material that can enrich your garden and make it more beautiful than ever.

Also, when using an oven, open your windows to let the hot air leave the house. Remember to turn your oven off as soon as you don’t need it anymore. Plan your baking so the oven is always in use while it’s on. Better yet, try to use recipes that don’t involve the oven at all!

Appliances/Lights: A dishwasher may seem like a waste of energy, but they are actually very efficient and tend to do a better job than simply washing by hand. A lot of water can be wasted if you continuously rinse and wash plates one by one. If you don’t have the room for a dishwasher, make sure you wash a good amount of plates/silverware at the same time. Especially while rinsing off that major residue, allow the entire load to use the water. If you do have a dishwasher, make sure to wash full loads. (Just like laundry!) If you’re ready to get a new major appliance, be sure to remember the Energy Star. Additionally, in a previously posted article, CFL Lighting, Pros and Cons, you can read all about compact fluorescent lights. I’m sure you’ve become familiar with these lights. Don’t forget to make them a part of your kitchen! As always, remember to turn those lights off when you’re not in the room.