Brightly colored recycled plastics star in a new line of kitchen tools, which can be recycled themselves when the time comes. Preserve Kitchen includes a 3.5-quart colander and varying sizes of cutting boards and storage containers. We put the cutting board to the test over several months. Unlike other plastic boards, it hasn't warped in the dishwasher yet or been damaged by knife slices.

If you're in the market for these products, Preserve Kitchen merits a look. But in the spirit of recycling, don't throw away something still usable to buy its wares. Prices for the line, available at Whole Foods Markets and Harry's Farmers Markets, range from $5.99 to $24.99.

Reusable shopping bags

If you've resolved to go greener for Earth Day on April 22, it's easy to start with a few things in the kitchen. Reusable shopping bags are available in most grocery stores, often for $1. If you can remember to take them out of the car and make room for them in the shopping cart, they're an economical choice.

But those tasks aren't as simple as they seem, which is where the thoughtfully designed Sackaroos, from a Peachtree City company, come in. It's a cotton bag with pockets for lightweight, space-saving mesh bags that can hold up to 25 pounds of groceries. The bag, in varying patterns and colors, also can hold a wallet and keys in an outer compartment— meaning you're more likely to take it into the store instead of leaving it forgotten in the trunk. The starter set is $39.95 and comes with four mesh bags and the canvas sack. Additional mesh bags are $8 each; the Sackaroo holds up to 12. www.sackaroos.com.