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9 Smart Ways to Be More Eco-Friendly in the Kitchen 

Incorporate these tips into your routine to be kinder to the planet — and simplify your grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning.
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Photo: David Malan ©

Shop Locally

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.

 

Photo: David Malan/Getty Images

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Photo: Steve Debenport ©

Keep an Eye on the "9"

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.

 

Photo: Steve Debenport/Getty Images

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Photo: Kristin Lee ©

Bring Your Own Bag

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.

 

Photo: Kristin Lee/Getty Images

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Photo: Bas Slabbers Photography ©

Ditch the Plastic Bottles

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.

 

Photo: Bastiaan Slabbers/Getty Images

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