Water filters used to keep particulates, lead and other chemicals out of your tap water can help maintain a steady flow of clean drinking water at home. Many filters today even keep out traces of pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter drugs. As filters become more powerful and effective, that means they also become household hazardous waste at the end of their lifespan. The good news: Almost every water filter manufacturer has a filter recycling program. Be sure to visit the filter's website and download the mailing labels. Since filters need to be replaced every six months, this is an easy eco act to do just twice a year.

When it comes to choosing a reusable shopping bag, what’s the greenest of them all? Turns out the thin (and durable) bags made entirely from nylon or polyester lead the pack. These bags are convenient because they fold up into small squares and they are machine washable, keeping them sanitary. If you invest in a nylon or polyester reusable bag, be sure to keep reusing it. It takes about 11 uses before you begin recouping the environmental savings of not using disposable plastic shopping bags.

Outdoor solar lighting is both eco-friendly and convenient. Spotlights, lanterns and accent lighting harness the power of the sun to charge batteries and light up without the use of hard wiring. But to keep your solar lights shining bright, do two things. If the lights are 2 years old, the internal rechargeable battery likely needs to be replaced. Those batteries are recyclable, so be sure to drop them off at stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot to recycle. And wipe down solar panels that are covered in dirt, dust and pollen. These particles can block the sun’s rays from charging the lights. A simple wipe with a microfiber towel will do the trick.