Tiny plastic microbeads have been used in beauty products, toothpaste and even home cleaning products for years as an abrasive for skin, teeth and surfaces. But the problem with these tiny beads is that when they are washed down the shower drain, they are not biodegradable, and they end up ingested by aquatic wildlife. Since the ingredients list for personal care products do not need to warn about microbeads, it can be impossible for consumers to tell what products contain them. The nonprofit North Sea Foundation has created an app called "Warning! Plastics Inside!" where you can scan any product and it will tell if it contains microbeads. Download the app for any smartphone for free.

It's time to give up buying packages of disposable paper napkins for good. Even paper napkins made from recycled paper have the strong possibility of having the chemical BPA in them; the culprit is thermal receipts (which accounts for almost all receipts you get from the store) that end up in the paper recycling stream. But even non-recycled paper napkins are wasteful and contribute to a loss of nearly 1 million trees every year. Opt for reusable napkins, dishtowels and even bandanas as an eco-friendly and nicer alternative to throwaways.

If you have a cat who spends time outdoors, consider bringing him inside instead. Cats kill about 3.7 billion birds and nearly 20 billion small mammals -- like rabbits and voles -- in the United States every year. Outdoor cats also live shorter lives. To transition your cat from an outdoor dweller to an indoor one, install several scratching posts and open cardboard boxes throughout the house. This will make indoor living less dull and slowly acclimate him to his new lifestyle.