It seems innocent enough: You're done eating an apple or banana on a hike, so you just toss the waste into the woods. It's organic material and should decompose quickly, right? In actuality, no. When you toss anything, whether organic or nonorganic, it's littering. And even fruit can take a long time to decompose when simply tossed on the ground. Apple cores can take two months to decompose; a banana skin can take up to two years. Instead, take your food waste with you and place it in a compost bin, where it will naturally heat up and quickly break down.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

It's believed the No. 1 "consumer" of coffee in American households is ... your kitchen drain. When it comes to making coffee at home, the reality is that many people pour leftover coffee straight down the drain. This habit wastes resources and money. If you don't use a whole pot of coffee, consider instant coffee instead, to make one cup at a time. Or reuse old coffee when cooking: It can come in handy for brining chicken, making gravy or giving a power boost to protein drinks and smoothies.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Ever wonder how to get the last bit of liquid cleanser, hand soap or household cleaner out of the bottle without having to unscrew the top and dump it out? Do one thing: Add glass marbles to the bottle. When the bottle is about one-third full, toss in a few glass marbles to help raise the liquid amount inside the bottle. This will help the pump reach the remaining liquid without affecting the efficacy of whatever liquid is inside. Just be sure the glass marbles are clean.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION