I’ve accumulated a lot of cosmetics over the past year and a half. From reviewing the newest eco-friendly skincare and makeup to purchasing my own must-haves, I’ve grown quite a beauty stash.

I have nine small drawers filled with beauty products in my bathroom. 

It’s exciting when I finally finish a whole container of something. But, regardless of whether or not I use a green product or a conventional product, I’m always faced with the same problem at the end of the cosmetics life cycle: 

What do I do with the container? 

Recycling cosmetics packaging is tricky. You can have greenest product ever, but if it’s housed in number 7 plastic (one of the most difficult to recycle), then you’re faced with tough questions. Can you reuse the container? Should you send it back to the manufacturer and hope the company recycles or reuses it properly? Do you just toss it in the trash, which is destined for the landfill? 

Store loose eyeshadows and powders in reusable glass jars. Photo By K-Ideas/Courtesy Flickr 

Here’s a simple guide to responsible cosmetics recycling: 

Recycle
Cardboard; glass containers; metal lids and caps; plastic bottles; steel/tin cans 

Reuse
Mirrors

Compost
Corn-based plastics

Check with recycling company
Empty aerosol cans; plastics 3, 4, 5, 7; bottle caps 
(Note: You can also send your number 5 plastics to the Gimme 5 program, sponsored by Preserve in partnership with Organic Valley and Stonyfield Organic. Drop-off bins are also available at select Whole Foods Markets stores.) 

Landfill
Plastic wrap; waxed cardboard 

Hazardous waste
Aerosol cans that still contain product; nail polish 

Many big cosmetics companies sponsor recycling programs that are convenient for all. 

Estee Lauder company Origins just launched a campaign to recycle all cosmetics packaging, including packaging from competitors. Origins will accept all empty tubes, bottles and jars at its stand-alone and department store locations nationwide. 

Aveda’s Recycle Caps program keeps hard-to-recycle plastic caps out of the landfill and ocean. The program accepts caps that are rigid polypropylene plastic (usually number 5). This includes food and drink caps as well as cosmetics caps. 

MAC (Makeup Art Cosmetics) rewards recyclers with a free tube of lipstick after they return six empty cosmetics containers.  Fill out the form online and send in your empty products, or visit a MAC store to exchange goods. 

Once you’ve gotten your cosmetics recycling routine rolling, take a step back and look at your cosmetics consumption habits. 

• Are you using products by their expiration date, or are they going to waste? 

• Can you double up product use (like using conditioner for shaving cream or shower gel as shampoo)? 

• Do the companies you buy from offer incentives to refill your containers? 

• Can you make your own product?

• Are there more responsible companies you can purchase similar products from?

Tell me what kind of recycling system you have in place for your empty cosmetics containers. Leave a comment and let me know!

I have a confession to make.

I don't always take reusable bags to the store.

Last weekend, I ran into one of my friends at the local grocery store. We chatted for a bit, and then went about our business. I ran into him again as I was checking out. At this local grocery store, you bag your own groceries. As I was filling up paper bags with my purchases, my friend walked by me pushing a cartful of groceries bagged in reusable shopping bags. I sheepishly looked down.

Busted.

I have no excuse for not using my many tote bags—I swear I own about 15 of them. I take one to work with me every day; I use one to store items that I donate to charity each month. The rest hang out in my closet. I can easily solve this problem by tossing my 13 other bags into my car's trunk.

Take my poll and find out how many readers forget to take their bags, too!

What are your eco-sins? Don't worry, I won't judge you...

Last night I whipped up an easy dinner for my mom and myself that took less than 40 minutes to prepare. My dinner recipe revolved around an Organicville Sesame Teriyaki sauce I received at the office.

Organicville's Sesame Teriyaki sauce blends ginger, garlic and sesame seeds with onions, tamari sauce and agave nectar for a rich, robust flavor that tickles the tastebuds. The taste was reminiscent of my mom's stir fry, and she was quick to agree that the sauce added strong flavor to our chicken, vegetable and noodle stir fry.

Organicville Sesame Teriyaki sauce is USDA organic.  Photo Courtesy Organicville.

I used Annie Chun's all natural chow mein Chinese noodles (instead of rice) as the base for my stir fry dish. Though it's not USDA organic, Annie Chun's chow mein Chinese noodles uses just four ingredients: wheat flour, water, egg whites and salt (it's also enriched with vitamins B1 and B2).

Annie Chun's chow mein Chinese noodles are a great stir fry base. Photo Courtesy Annie Chun's.

Here's what you'll need to make dinner:

• 1 12-ounce box Annie Chun's chow mein Chinese noodles
• 3 to 4 tablespoons Organicville Sesame Teriyaki sauce
• 12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups (or more if you like) brocolli
• 2 cups mixed peas and carrots
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• pinch salt, pepper, oregano and garlic powder

Here's what I did to whip up last night's dinner:

1. Cook chow mein noodles according to directions on box (it takes about 6 minutes, depending on your stove's heat). Drain and remove from heat when cooked.

2. Chop chicken breasts (I used about 12 ounces because I was cooking for my mom and myself and wanted leftovers) into small squares and put in mixing bowl. Pour 3 to 4 tablespoons Organicville Sesame Teriyaki sauce onto the chicken. If you like, add additional seasonings to the chopped chicken (I added some salt, pepper, oregano and garlic powder). Mix well.

3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil on high in a wok or stir fry pan. When hot, toss the chopped, seasoned chicken breast into the pan.

4. Cook the chicken for 6 minutes or so (I just eyeball it until it's nice and white), and turn it frequently for even cooking.

5. When the chicken is cooked, add vegetables of your choice. I used peas, carrots and broccoli in my stir fry. Cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes.

6. Mix the chicken, veggies and sauces in the pan.

7. Prepare a plate or bowl with a serving (about 2 ounces) of chow mein noodles. Scoop the hot chicken and veggie stir fry on top of it, and serve!