While disposable razors may not be an eco-friendly choice, if you do use them, there is one thing you can do to help lengthen the life of the blades. After each shave, simply rinse and dip the blades in a little isopropyl rubbing alcohol. This does two things: It helps dry out the razor blades, which means they won't rust and will stay sharp, and it helps sanitize the blades, which means you won't be introducing acne-inducing bacteria onto your face with each shave. You can also dip nail clippers and tweezers in alcohol to keep them clean.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you do just one thing, never, ever flush conventional dental floss down the toilet. Not only is nylon dental floss non-biodegradable and a nightmare if it reaches our waterways, it can also destroy plumbing. When floss goes down the toilet, it can twist and wrap around things like hair, toilet paper and other organic matter that goes through the pipes. These clumps can cause dams, which build up over time and create havoc not only in your home's plumbing, but also in public sewage systems. While it may seem crazy to think your own piece of floss can do this, multiply it by the number of people in your community and you can understand the gravity of this one action.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Do you use large shopping bags to hold recyclable newsprint, magazines and other recyclable paper? While it may seem like a smart idea, the reality is you should avoid this practice. Most shopping bags aren't easily recyclable. Many are made with glossy, shiny or colorful paper, and they often have plastic handles. These bags do not process well at recycling facilities. Instead, use cardboard boxes, unprinted paper bags (like those from the grocery store) or just old-fashioned twine to keep paper together.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION