One of the biggest eco-culprits is single-use coffee pods. It’s believed 75 million households use single-cup coffee machines every day, resulting in billions of plastic cups being thrown into landfills. To prevent this, consider refillable cups designed to be filled with loose coffee and rinsed out when finished. Or look for compostable cups that fit inside the machines and can be added to your backyard compost after use. Convenience comes at a cost, and eliminating this waste is a cinch!

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When storing your recyclables outdoors, be sure to keep them in a shaded area and not in direct sunlight. In the warmer months (and in climates that are drier than others), keeping metal cans and glass bottles outside with bright, shining light on them can actually create a fire hazard. Keeping them in shaded areas ensures the recyclables won't get scorching hot, keeping you and your neighbors protected.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Did you know that waste haulers typically do not accept appliances, batteries, electronics, pesticides or paint in regular curbside pickup? For many of these items, it is actually illegal to dispose of them in your trash. What to do? Contact your local waste hauler and ask them to do a "special handling" pickup for these items. For items that are required to be disposed of in a specific manner, simply making a call and arranging for pickup ensures they are disposed of safely and for good.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION