Here’s another reason to avoid artificial sweeteners and diet drinks: They can pollute our waterways. A study that appeared in the journal Environmental Science and Technology showed that after consumption, the human body flushes artificial sweetener down the toilet and into the water supply. And here is where this chemical sweetener can have a drastic impact on the biodiversity of the planet: Water with fake sugar impacts a plant’s ability to perform photosynthesis. This impacts its ability to produce food and release oxygen. And small aquatic species are affected by this toxic water, which flows up the food chain to the fish and larger species that consume them. The best bet: Avoid fake sugars and stick with ingredients you can pronounce.

Many people use something called “treated wood” when constructing things like backyard decks. It’s a preferred choice for many contractors because treated wood -- on which toxic chemicals like arsenic are used -- is long-lasting and resists decay. But it’s also very toxic. Most communities consider treated wood scraps and even saw dust as a household hazardous waste and refuse to accept it in regular trash pickups. If you have scrap treated wood, never burn it; that releases the toxins through emissions and ash. Instead of chemically treated wood, look for natural alternatives like cedar or recycled plastic composite decking.

If your backyard garden has a bumper crop of fruits and vegetables this season, don’t let them go to waste. The nonprofit Ample Harvest can help you connect with a local food bank or pantry that will gladly take your perishable harvest. The key thing is to donate high-quality produce that is good enough that you would eat it. Even the smallest donations are welcome, since fresh produce is scarce. Learn more at ampleharvest.org, and be sure to tag #ampleharvest on Instagram when you donate.