1/20/11

Chewing gum should never, ever be spit out onto the ground. When gum sticks to concrete, it turns dark and many birds mistake it for food; often, they will peck at it and get the icky substance stuck on their beaks, making it difficult to remove. The responsible thing is to place chewing gum inside a piece of paper and dispose of it properly in the trash.

1/19/11

Frequent fliers: If you bring magazines and newspapers on board with you when flying, bring them off the plane with you, too, to discard them. Most airports now have recycling bins inside terminals, so it can be as simple as walking off the plane and depositing your recyclables in a bin right by the gate.

1/18/11

Road salt in the wintertime is used to de-ice roads, but it can also be a leading source of rust for the undercarriage of your car. Be sure to bring your car to a car wash -- which is the most water- and energy-efficient way to wash a car -- after a harsh winter storm to have the salt residue washed off, opting for additional undercarriage cleaning. A wax seal now and then will also help create a protective barrier on the outside of the car.