According to the Paper and Packaging Board, there are many more items you can put into the paper recycling bin at work or at home. In addition to magazines, copy paper and old phone books, you can also put clean and dry cereal and food boxes, shoeboxes and even paperboard boxes that once held laundry detergent. Boxes used to hold cosmetics and greetings cards are usually accepted for recycling, too.

When you think of the words "scrap metal," images of beat-up cars or old metal plumbing may come to mind, or maybe scrap metal yards with mountains of twisted and tangled metal. But did you know your curbside recycling bin can also accept some types of scrap? Solid metal items like stainless steel utensils, cookie sheets and cast iron pans are often accepted in curbside recycling. Of course, if these items are still in decent shape, you can always donate them to charities like Goodwill.

Cold winter weather can impact the fuel efficiency of your car, reducing it as much as 30 percent, according to the United States Department of Energy. The reason? Tires grip onto icy roads, seat warmers and defrosters run at full blast, and friction with the engine and transmission is greater in cold weather. One simple way to help improve efficiency is to keep your car parked in a warmer place, like a garage. And allow your car to "warm up" for no more than 30 seconds, which is all your car really needs in order to be ready to hit the road.