When it comes to paper coffee filters, you’ll often see two choices at the supermarket: There are white filters and unbleached ones, which are a tan color. What’s the difference? It all comes down to how the paper is treated. White filters are often bleached using chlorine, which is the least environmentally sensitive choice. Unbleached is pretty much just that: It’s untreated paper. But coffee experts agree that when it comes to taste, either choice can give you the same cup of joe. So to give your morning cup an eco-boost, choose unbleached.

In most states, it’s illegal to drop off old tires at landfills for disposal. But the good news is that tires are becoming more easily recyclable, being turned into everything from surfacing to new consumer products, and even shredded and used in macadam for roads. When you get new tires at a dealership, your old ones are automatically recycled. But to find out where you can drop off your old treads for recycling if you put them on yourself, use the website earth911.com. All you do is enter your ZIP code and “tires” in the search box, and the site will find the closest recyclers to you.

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.