Do you leave reminders on documents or around the house on Post-it notes? Even though there is an adhesive strip on the back of each note, the good news is that paper sticky notes are easily recyclable with traditional office paper. No matter the color, all of the dye and glue is removed in the pulping and de-inking process. Since the adhesive is water soluble, the little paper squares are perfectly fine to recycle. Even better: You can find sticky notes made from recycled paper, too, to help complete the recycling loop.

Many of us suffer from allergies in our homes, including from dust mites that may lurk inside pillows and mattresses. One solution is to invest in dust mite encasement covers, which create a barrier between the pillow or mattress, your sheets and you. If investing in covers isn't possible, try this instead: Freeze and dry the dust mites out. Freezing unwashable items like bed pillows for 24 hours will kill the dust mites.

When you see bags of seashells in the store for vase filler or crafting use, or lots of giant almost-perfect shell specimens for sale, don't purchase them. As nautical design continues to gain popularity, these shells aren't collected carefully or by hand. They are often dragged out of the ocean by trawlers or nets, which pick up large numbers of shells off the ocean floor. They also pick up other aquatic wildlife, killing them in the process. Admire shells at the beach, and think of a new design aesthetic.