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Sure they're little, and we use them in relatively small quantity, but herbs and spices are proof positive that tiny things can make a big impact (just try to cook without them!). What holds true in the kitchen applies to eco-friendly changes as well. In honor of Earth Day, here are some little ways to help the planet year round -- and enjoy your herbs and spices, too!

Fresh herbs are delicious, but at most supermarkets, even the organic varieties turn up in small plastic clamshell packages. Sure, you could recycle, but the packaging is wasteful nonetheless. And odds are, those herbs had to travel pretty far, so not only will they have a pretty big carbon footprint, they won't actually taste all that fresh. Instead, head to a farmers' market or buy into a Community Sponsored Agriculture (CSA) program, and get your herbs locally, straight from the source. Or, go super green, and try growing your own organic herbs at home. Newbies and seasoned gardeners alike can enjoy nature on the windowsill with the Olive Barn Organic Herb Trio. The set comes with 3 ceramic pots, a matching tray, environmentally friendly WonderSoil®, and growing instructions. Best of all, Olive Barn lets you pick your own organic herb seeds from Seeds of Change. Choices include Cinnamon Basil, Dukat Dill, and Summer Savory.

Unless you live in the tropics, growing your own spices is a lot trickier. But next time you go shopping, you can opt for organic spices. Because they are non-irradiated and grown without dangerous pesticides, choosing organic spices means you'll not only help protect the health of the environment, but of the growers who'd otherwise be exposed to the toxic chemicals used in conventional farming. Frontier Organic Spices has an incredible selection, and their products are available online.

Green your bathroom and reward your eco-friendly efforts with some spa-like, herb- and spice-infused indulgences. The Pangea Organics line of organic skincare uses ingredients like thyme, mint, cardamom, and lemon balm for their aromatherapeutic and skin-enhancing properties. Now the products -- which are free of petrochemicals, parabens, GMOs and synthetic chemicals -- come in biodegradeable, plantable packaging that is embedded with organic seeds, including sweet basil. Now that's my kind of recycling.