After opening up gifts, don’t toss gift wrap into the paper recycling bin. Yes, gift wrap is paper, but it’s usually coated with a shiny laminate that makes it nearly impossible to recycle. The same goes for the ribbons, string and tissue paper you might get. If you throw these into a paper recycling bin, they can contaminate a load of recyclable paper, and guess what? The whole bin will get tossed into the landfill. Keep gift wrap (and related accessories) out and consider wrapping gifts with recyclable paper like newsprint and kraft paper in the future.

Great news: Spring vegetable gardens are just around the corner. If you found yourself battling harmful insects last time you got your green thumb on, don’t reach for chemical insecticides just yet. Instead, plant smarter by choosing the right types of vegetables to group together. Did you know tomatoes repel caterpillars that chew on cabbage leaves? Or onions, with their pungent taste and smell, repel most pests? And radishes attract leaf miner insects to the leafy greens on top, but the insects have no effect on the actual radish itself underground? By adding onions, radishes and tomatoes, you can create a natural insect barrier to help your garden thrive.

Most people believe the best way to retire an American flag is burning it. But since most flags today are made from synthetic fibers, burning an old flag can actually be harmful and emit toxic gasses into the atmosphere. In fact, many states have banned the burning of flags due to the toxicity that comes from igniting synthetic fibers. One organization, called American Flag Disposal, wants to take old American flags and recycle them. It separates the flags into two material types -- nylon and polyester -- and works with textile recyclers to turn them into new products. Learn more at americanflagdisposal.com