I despaired a bit buying aluminum foil to cook my blue potatoes, because foil seems like such a wasteful, one-use item -- but I feel a lil better now, knowing I can recycle the stuff by just putting it in my blue bin -- Santa Monica's recycling bin -- after rinsing off the foodstuff.

Aluminum's highly recyclable -- although mining the stuff new is really, really taxing on the environment. Recycled aluminum foil uses 95% less energy to produce than foil made from virgin aluminum, reports Amy Stodghill at Green Options.

So -- Get recycled aluminum foil -- just $3.99 at Greenfeet -- instead of the new stuff. And after you use it, put it in your blue bin.

If you don't live in Santa Monica, check to see if your city recycles aluminum by plugging in your zip at Earth 911.

BTW -- My blue potatoes didn't turn out so well because -- too lazy to look for and buy an oven dish -- I tried baking 'em in a cupcake pan. Edible, but not recommended.

BlogHer Contributing Editor Siel also blogs at greenLAgirl.com.