While it may be fashionable for a moment, deep, rich colors or bright, vibrant hues in clothing can also indicate that the materials have been dyed with very harsh chemicals. Textiles have to be treated with a myriad of chemicals to produce colors in fashionable psychedelic shades. According to Greenpeace, almost 20% of industrial water waste is from textile dyes and treatment. To avoid this, think neutral. The less colorful, the fewer (if any) dyes are used. Always look for organic fabrics, or even better, try to shop secondhand.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Did you know the average person generates about 6 pounds of trash every single day, and that the majority of it goes to landfills? One way to help curtail the amount of trash that’s created in your home is to have one central trash can and recycling bin. Tossing garbage in the trash shouldn’t be easy; it should almost literally be a chore to add something to the garbage bin. Make the recycling bin the focal point, where members of the family have an incentive to divert trash that can be recycled. This little tip can help reduce the 30-plus pounds of trash a family produces per week.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Even if you rarely fly, it’s worth the effort to set up a free frequent-flyer account. While you may not earn enough miles for a free ticket, you can still donate your small amounts of miles to support good causes like UNICEF and the Red Cross. Almost every major airline has a charitable component to its frequent-flyer program that lets you donate mileage to charities. And often, the airline will match those donations mile-for-mile for the charity that you choose.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION