If you have a collection of old books -- paperback or hardcover -- there are two ways you can dispose of them properly. The first way is to donate them to a charity. But if your local charities won't take outdated or water-damaged books, you can recycle them. Most paper recycling bins can take books -- so long as you remove the hard spines and covers first. The interior pages are easily recyclable and can be tossed wherever you recycle magazines and used office paper. The old jackets and spines should be tossed into the trash.

Another reason to plant a tree to help the planet: They act as mini air-conditioners for your home environment. In the hot summer months, trees pool water from the ground to keep them healthy and alive. As the water pumps up through the trunk, it evaporates through the leaves. The water acts as a cooling mechanism for the tree and it also cools down the area around it. The more trees around your home, the more cooling effect it has for you. Now how cool is that?

Spiders are good for the environment since they help keep insect populations in check. But if seeing cobwebs build up in the corner of windows drives you nuts, there is no need to grab the chemical insect spray to get rid of them. Instead, rub rosemary essential oil onto your windowpanes. The bitter-tasting oil is a natural deterrent for spiders, so they'll stay far away. Plus, the oil is good for wooden windowpanes, so it'll help nourish the wood at the same time.