Do you use rubber gloves when you're cleaning around the house or washing dishes? Almost all gloves are made from non-biodegradable synthetic materials like polyvinyl chloride. If you want to protect your hands, look for gloves that are made with natural materials like rubber or latex. Just be sure it's 100% plant-based rubber or latex and not a synthetic. They’ll perform as well as waterproof gloves and will biodegrade when it's time to replace them. Many can be found in natural grocery stores and online.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Are you trying to give up single-use plastics like straws and water bottles? That's a great first step in helping to lessen dependence on plastic, but you may want to consider giving up another single-use plastic: chewing gum. Though it acts like a food product, chewing gum is actually a mix of synthetic rubber, which is essentially plastic. And when you spit it out, it goes into the landfill, or worse, it dries up and is mistaken for food by wild animals. Good alternatives include all-natural gum brands that use chicle as their “chewing” base.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

It may be 90 degrees outside, but here’s a plan-ahead tip for the cold winter months: Invest in an electric snowblower rather than a gas-powered one. New electric snowblowers utilize rechargeable batteries that power the mechanisms inside. There’s no gas tank to fill, and no greenhouse emissions are released when used. This is perfect for small-scale jobs, too. Of course, the greenest removal is a shovel and broom, but if you need a snowblower, go electric.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION