Today, many retail stores are making an effort to recycle as much waste as possible behind the scenes for two reasons: to help protect the environment and to save money, too. So hard-to-recycle things like paperboard boxes, plastic hangers and film wrap get diverted from dumpsters. Next time you're buying something at a store, leave the packaging at the counter, and ask the checkout person if he or she will recycle it. There is no guarantee that it'll actually happen, but given the growth of commercial recycling at stores, the likelihood is high.

Did you know plants can get stressed out? When insects and diseases attack plants -- from garden vegetables to indoor trees -- they produce a natural acid to deter the pesky intruder. But sometimes, the plants don't make the acid fast enough and die. Research has shown that giving plants two aspirin mixed with two gallons of water actually helps speed up the process. It boosts plants' immune systems and gives them an extra helping hand in defending from insects and disease.

When choosing paints for your home, don't be fooled into thinking something labeled "low-VOC" is healthy for you. VOCs -- volatile organic compounds -- are the chemicals and odor in paint. A low-VOC paint still contains these vapors, and the reality is that there is no standard that actually defines "low." The only way you can be sure you chose the healthiest option is to purchase "zero-VOC" paints, which contain no fumes or vapors. But remember, when you tint a zero-VOC paint with dark colors, you may be adding VOCs, so choose light shades whenever possible.