You notice that the dryer ate one of your socks, so you wonder to yourself, are single socks recyclable? The answer may surprise you: yes. Even though they seem unsellable at charity stores like Goodwill, the nonprofit will gladly take your single socks off your hands. Only a small percentage of donated clothes actually get resold in Goodwill stores. The remaining items (like torn T-shirts and holey or single socks) get separated and sold to textile recyclers. These recyclers break down the material and use it for things like home and car insulation.

In 2004, the Environmental Protection Agency launched a program called SmartWay to work with freight supply chain operators (think freight trucks) to find ways to maximize their fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Recently, SmartWay has expanded into the rental car market to encourage companies to rent out cars that are the most fuel-efficient in their category. When renting a car, look for SmartWay-certified ones to help you save fuel and money with your rental. A general rule of thumb is this: Most vehicles in economy, compact and intermediate classes are SmartWay certified. But when in doubt, ask.

When shopping for a new computer, think laptop instead of desktop for the greatest energy savings. A laptop is about one-third more energy efficient than a desktop. And if you want to get an even bigger energy savings, look for laptops that feature LED screens, which are more efficient and are also mercury-free. And remember, when you need to dispose of your old computers, take them to retailers like Best Buy and Staples, which will recycle them free of charge.