If you’ve brewed a pot of coffee, don’t throw away the leftover java. Coffee is loaded with more than just caffeine: It contains potassium and magnesium, which are two nutrients plants love for growth. But because straight coffee can be too acidic, it’s best to mix leftover coffee with water. By diluting it (1 part coffee to 1 part water), you’ll give a kick-start to acid-loving plants like ferns, flowering bushes and roses. And don’t forget old coffee grinds -- just sprinkle them into soil to add a natural boost.

New technologies in public water fountains let people refill bottles with clean, commercially filtered H20. The touchless fountains are also healthier, since they are hands-free. Whether you’re traveling or just on the go, the free app WeTap (available for iPhones) helps you find public water fountains wherever you are. Enter where you are, and the app will point out refill stations near you. You can update the app, too, to help others find hydration stations in parks, stadiums, schools and more.

Many beverages like milk, soy milk, wine and even water come packaged in paperboard containers called Tetra Paks. These paper containers are made of several layers of paperboard, aluminum and other recyclables, and they used to be hard to recycle. Now, many communities accept them for recycling, which is great news. When recycling Tetra Paks, you can leave the plastic caps on; they are recyclable. And don’t flatten them too much since recycling sorting machines recognize these materials by their 3-D shape.