If you collect recyclable paper like magazines, junk mail and newspaper in a paper shopping bag, be careful which type of bag you use. Shopping bags that are made from glossy or shiny paper or have plastic handles are not good candidates; they are hard to recycle and need to be sorted out at the recycling facility. Instead, consider brown paper grocery bags, or just bundle the papers together with natural string like twine.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

One of the healthiest and greenest swap-outs you can make for your family pets is to switch the type of bowl they eat and drink from. While a plastic bowl may be cheap and durable, it can get scratched up easily; those scratches can harbor illness-causing bacteria, plus the plastic is difficult to recycle. Instead, invest in stainless steel bowls. They are durable, easily recyclable and can be sterilized with just warm, soapy water, or even tossed into the dishwasher.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you'd like to protect your vegetable garden from birds, there is one festive alternative to netting that actually works: Raid your Christmas ornaments. Hanging up ball ornaments on plants like tomatoes and cherry trees can fake birds out. Birds will see the ornaments (use the indestructible plastic-looking ones, not the delicate glass ones) and peck at them, then fly away when they realize they're not food. It may not be 100 percent foolproof, but it's one small measure to help stay a step ahead.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION