Paper carton containers that hold food products like milk, juice, soy milk, soup, broth and even wine are pretty easily recyclable in most curbside recycling programs. They are a desired recyclable and are made into a whole variety of new paper products. When you toss them into the recycling bin, be sure to remove the plastic caps that come with them and toss those into the trash. There is no need to wash out the containers, but if your recycling bin does not have a lid, it might be a good idea to lightly rinse them out to help deter wildlife from raiding your bin.

We all know that items like lighter fluid, paint and chemical insecticides are considered household hazardous waste and should never be thrown in the regular trash. But did you know there are some common personal care products that are also considered hazardous? Items like nail polish, nail polish remover and even hair care products found in aerosol cans are hazardous. The one thing these beauty products have in common is they contain ingredients that are flammable, which is what makes them hazardous waste. Dispose of these unused personal care products whenever hazardous material is collected, or use it up and look for more natural and organic brands when you restock.

Before winter takes over the country, this is the time to visit your local farm stand or farmers market and stock up on in-season, at-their-peak seasonal produce. Since fresh berries, tomatoes and other fruits and veggies aren't at their peak in the cold months, they can be expensive and not the tastiest. Buying in-season organic produce means they'll be available at lower prices, which means you can prep and freeze them, and they'll be ready to go in a few months. Corn kernels, grated tomatoes, berries (all types) and even hearty leafy greens can all be frozen.