10 Ways To Go Green In Your Kitchen Slideshow

Smart and sexy can live in the same house, or in this case, the same eco-friendly cabinet. Reclaimed and recycled wood is produced mostly from wood that has "lived out its purpose" and is remilled for a unique look and quality unmatched by virgin wood. Begin your conversion to recycled accoutrements with treasures like an olive wood salt pot and spoon set, a unique addition to your kitchen that's made from old tree stumps. A teak wood lemon squeeze or olive wood citrus press will only beautify with age, and this reclaimed wood knife holder will add a natural sleekness to your countertop without compromising integrity.

As the sun rises, some cannot even think of moving without a hot cup of brewed coffee or tea. To make sure the sun can keep shining on us safely, replace the appliances in your home that waste valuable resources. The average American family uses more than 300 gallons of water per day at home; 70 percent is indoor use and 15.7 percent comes from the faucet. When warming up with a hot drink, use the Eco Kettle 2 to reduce water waste by deciding how much water is needed to heat, from one cup to full capacity, simply by pressing the knob, thanks to its patented dual-chamber system. When you've heated just the right amount of water, pour it into your Chemex Coffeemaker, a non-electric brewer that not only improves flavor but allows you to save brewed coffee in the refrigerator without compromising taste. 

Cut away the problem by adding these sharp, sustainable, and shiny metal gadgets. Stainless steel is 100 percent recyclable and it is manufactured from a high percentage of recycled steel already. This cheese knife and slicer and cable slotted spoon are beautiful, sustainable tools to entertain with. The Tavolo multi grater not only sports eco-friendly, steel-grated sides, but has handles made of acacia, a fast growing and renewable wood. Starting out with these sustainable, sleek utensils is a great way to fill your silverware drawers with eco-friendly kitchen gadgets.

In 2010, Americans produced about 250 million tons of "municipal solid waste" (i.e. garbage), making each of us guilty of producing roughly 4.3 pounds of waste a day, according to the EPA. In addition to recycling plastics and aluminums, to create a truly green home, consider getting rid of food scraps safely. Try the technologically impressive PRO XE Compost Bin or this stylish compost pail for a gorgeous way to recycle food scraps. Hazardous household waste, including potential cleaners in your closet right now, needs to be disposed of properly to reduce its impact. A product like the Spaghetti Scrub eliminates the need for damaging detergents and their harmful waste.

Having an inspector check your gas stove and Energy Star appliances is a great way to reduce fuel use. But replacing your appliances can be a daunting goal in the quest for a greener life. Start small with the Eco-Cooker, a sanitary separator that allows you to cook multiple items in a single pot, therefore saving water. And nix the baby food jars and go even greener with the Béaba Babycook, a device that locks in nutrients to give your baby the best meal without harmful impact on the Earth. While thermonuclear technology hardly seems like an eco-friendly choice, the iWave Cube uses less energy than a full-size microwave.

Plastic bags are so things of the past. Instead of stockpiling wasteful bags, stock your house with plenty of reusable containers and carriers. Produce bags not only eliminate the need for plastic, but the specially designed fabric aims to keep your purchases garden-fresh. The To-Go Ware Lunch Kit makes the brown bag look like yesterday's fashion. With its stainless steel sheen and bamboo cutlery set, you'll avoid waste with reused products. If you're packing a lunch for two, what's more romantic than a gorgeous, hand-woven eco picnic basket made from 100 percent renewable resources? Complete with plates, utensils, wine glasses, and organic cotton linens, this piece is perfect to celebrate Mother Earth in her natural habitat.

Having an inspector check your gas stove and Energy Star appliances is a great way to reduce fuel use. But replacing your appliances can be a daunting goal in the quest for a greener life. Start small with the Eco-Cooker, a sanitary separator that allows you to cook multiple items in a single pot, therefore saving water. And nix the baby food jars and go even greener with the Béaba Babycook, a device that locks in nutrients to give your baby the best meal without harmful impact on the Earth. While thermonuclear technology hardly seems like an eco-friendly choice, the iWave Cube uses less energy than a full-size microwave.

Sometimes the smallest changes can make the biggest difference. Combing through your kitchen tools and slowly replacing them one by one is a fine path to a greener life. If you crave crafting homemade sushi, try the Helen Chen sushi kit. This product is not only super effective for serving up some great homemade rolls, but it is also made from bamboo, a traditional and 100 percent sustainable resource.

Before you purchase another bottle of water, consider this: the production and transportation of bottled water in 2007 used the energy equivalent of 32 and 54 million barrels of oil, respectively. That's enough to fuel about 1.5 million cars for a year. Gadgets like the SodaStream, which help you make your own homemade soda and sparkling water, can help reduce bottled soda's carbon footprint by up to 80 percent. Using water from the tap (something bottled water companies supposedly do anyway), SodaStream doesn't compromise quality or taste and comes with a variety of flavored syrups. 

If revamping your appliances just isn't an option, cut power use right at its source. Belkin power switches allow you to power multiple appliances in the kitchen and conserve energy while leaving your gadgets plugged in. The included wireless remote makes it easy to shut off power for up to six devices at once and features two always-on outlets (for items like clock-operated devices like microwaves) that give consistent power.