Look for locally grown produce at farmers markets, farm stands and food co-ops. You get fresher fare, support your community and help reduce the fuel and emissions that go along with long-distance shipping.

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Check the numbered stickers on fruits and veggies. If they start with the number 9, your produce is organic, meaning it was grown without the use of pesticides. Growing food organically means farmers decrease their reliance on synthetic chemicals and typically enjoy soil that's more fertile.

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To reduce trash, skip your supermarket's plastic bags and transport groceries in reusable tote bags or canvas produce sacks. Just remember to wash these bags regularly (lest bacteria grow in the fabric). If you must use plastic, look for a bin at the store that allows you to return the bags for recycling.

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With so many cute and functional reusable water bottles on the market today, there's no reason to reach for the plastic ones. Outfit your kitchen tap with a purified-water filter, and tote around a refillable sports bottle made of glass, aluminum or recycled plastic.

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Buy in bulk (which usually means less packaging per item), pick fresh ingredients and look for products with limited — or at least recyclable — packaging. Switch to cloth napkins, or buy paper towels and napkins labeled "recycled," "unbleached" or "post-consumer waste."

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Outdoor grills typically use less energy than your stove and keep heat out of the house, reducing costly strain on your AC. Better still: Upgrade to induction cooking — it's the most-efficient way to cook.

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The fuller the fridge, the less open space your fridge needs to cool, which means it can run more efficiently. Save electricity (and money!) by filling empty space in your fridge or freezer with crumpled newspapers or full water bottles.

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Feed fresh kitchen scraps to a compost pile (no meats or oils, please — they could get stinky and attract pests). It's easy to get started with a small bin that you keep moist and mix the contents of about once a week. Then, after a few weeks, you'll have nutrient-rich compost to perk up your garden — and much less food waste in your trashcan.

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