Do you have a collection of beloved T-shirts you just can't bear to part with? Or maybe that your kids have outgrown? Yes, you can donate them to charity. But you can also have them upcycled into a cozy blanket. For people who don't like to sew, Project Repat takes your shirts and cuts them into squares, which are then sewn into a quilt, all lined with a 100 percent recycled fleece backing. It's as simple as boxing it up, sending it away and waiting a few days to get your brand-new quilt. Learn more at projectrepat.com.

It may not lead to a picture-perfect backyard, but leaving the dried heads of your flowers intact in the fall through the winter can do a lot of good. As they poke through the wintery white snow later this year, the seed heads provide needed nutrients and sustenance to birds. They land on the dead flowers and peck at the seed heads. You can also collect dried flowers with seed heads and bundle them into a "bouquet" of sorts. In the winter, hang them from a tree so birds can feed from your buffet.

Got an old down feather comforter or pillow and not sure what to do with it? Since old feather-filled home products can also be filled with dust, mold, mildew and bacteria, it's best not to donate them to charity. Instead, rip 'em open. Since feathers for these products are just washed (not chemically treated), they break down pretty quickly in a garden setting. Feathers are full of nitrogen, so if you sprinkle them in your garden and till them, they'll biodegrade in a few weeks or months.