Eco-Friendly Friday

I've been toying with the idea of a running theme, over a month or so, with my Friday posts.  I decided that I would devote March to simple green changes you can  make in your life.  Just like with dieting, if you make one small change a week it will add up to a whole lot of good at the end!  Each week will focus on an area of the house and give you suggestions for greening your space.

One of the easiest places to decrease waste is in the kitchen, so I'm going to start there.  Some ways to go green in the kitchen are:

1. Use cloth towels for drying hands, wiping messes, and as a dish cloth.
2. Use eco-friendly cleansers - you might even reach for natural cleaners like baking soda and lemon juice. There are many websites out there with recipes if your interested in making your own.
3. Reduce the use of plastic baggies, wrap, and wax paper to store leftovers or pack lunches. If you must use something other than a reusable container, opt for something that can be recycled like paper bags or aluminum foil.
4. Let your dishes air dry after washing (ie. don't put the dish washer on "heated dry"), this saves a whole lot of energy consumption.
5. Buy food with a minimum of packaging when possible (think fruits and veggies..insert shameless plug...brought home in reusable produce bags like the one's I sell on Etsy).  If you must buy prepackaged foods, opt for packaging that can be recycled like cardboard egg cartons over the Styrofoam variety. I also try to avoid anything that is individually packaged.
6. Unplug appliances that do not need to be on all day such as coffee makers, toasters, and any other small appliances on your counters. 
7. Make sure any major appliances you replace are Energy Star Certified.

What are other ways you go green in the Kitchen?