Because the keto diet emphasizes the consumption of animal products, it has been criticized by some as being one of the least eco-friendly diet choices. If you are concerned about the environmental impact of eating a keto diet, you can incorporate these six ways of making your diet more eco-friendly.

1. Reduce Food Waste

About a third of all the food produced globally is wasted. It is estimated that wasted food contributes about eight percent to total greenhouse gas emissions. There are many steps you can take to reduce the amount of food you waste. Plan your meals before you go to the grocery store and only buy the food you need for those meals. Consume your leftovers promptly and freeze anything you will not eat within four days. Blanch and freeze vegetables that may spoil before you can use them, or use them to make vegetable stock. Keep track of what you have in your freezer and pantry and use it before it goes bad. Stock up on items with long shelf lives, such as keto peanut butter.

2. Cut Down on Packaging

If you build your diet around whole foods, such as unprocessed meat, vegetables and fruits, you will naturally use less packaging than if you eat a lot of processed foods. You can further reduce your packaging use by using reusable produce and shopping bags, using a filtered water pitcher instead of buying bottled water, using reusable containers for storing leftovers and using a travel coffee mug instead of disposable coffee cups.

3. Avoid Single-Use Plastics

Most plastic is made from fossil fuels and takes a long time to break down in landfills. Instead of using single-use plastic straws, purchase reusable metal straws. Use regular cutlery instead of buying plastic forks, knives and spoons. Replace plastic wrap by storing leftovers in glass containers, wrapping vegetables in tea towels and using shower caps as food covers. If you must use plastic products, try to find plastics made from biodegradable materials such as cellulose.

4. Purchase Local and in Season

The fuel used to transport food over long distances has a tremendous negative environmental impact. You can reduce this impact by purchasing locally produced produce and meat. Your regular grocery may carry some locally produced products, which are often marked with a sign. You can also look for local farmer's markets, co-ops and farms that sell directly to consumers. Consider planting your own vegetable garden and if you have space for it, raising your own chickens. Shop for sustainably produced meat, eggs, dairy and produce. Research when your favorite fruits and vegetables are in season and avoid purchasing when they are not.

5. Start a Compost Pile

When you throw food in the trash and it goes in a landfill it releases methane gases as it decomposes. These gases contribute to climate change. By contrast, when you compost your organic materials they do not release methane. Some cities have industrial composting facilities, but if yours is not one of them, you can start your own compost pile or bin and use it as fertilizer for your garden or potted plants.

6. Use Less Fossil Fuels

Burning fossil fuels is one of the worst things you can do for the environment. You can reduce your fossil fuel usage by making fewer trips to the grocery store, walking, biking or taking public transportation, using an electric bike or scooter or purchasing an electric vehicle.

Climate change is a serious and growing problem around the globe. You can do your part to improve your environmental impact by taking these six steps to make your keto diet greener.