One of the reasons some people insist on using a plastic straw in their beverages is that it helps prevent drinks from staining their teeth. But dentists have debunked that myth: The liquid still enters the mouth and makes contact with the veneer on your teeth. The only way to avoid staining from liquids is to have the straw literally go to your throat. So, since straws don't help to protect teeth, how about protecting the planet by skipping plastic straws?

Using a full dishwasher is more water- and energy-efficient than cleaning by hand. But be sure to use your dishwasher properly. Using too much detergent doesn't get dishes and glassware cleaner, it actually leaves a film on everything. Hand-wash items that can break, splinter or rust in the dishwasher -- things like wood cutting boards and bowls, cast iron pans, copper pots and antique glassware. And large items like cookie sheets and mixing bowls that barely fit should be washed by hand. They can block internal sprayers, making the entire dishwashing cycle ineffective.

Glossy paper can be hard to recycle, but not all shiny paper is necessarily nonrecyclable. Magazines and catalogs are recyclable because the paper stock is coated with white clay that makes the pages appear more brilliant. The clay does not interfere with the recycling process. According to Waste Management, about 45 percent of all magazines and catalogs are recycled today, which means more than half are still being tossed into the trash. Recycle!