Even accidentally taking a little bit of sand from the beach (like stray sand that ends up in sneakers or in the bottom of bags) can add up to significant erosion when you multiply by the number of people who visit the beach every day. To help prevent accidental sand loss, try these tips. Use a mesh tote bag so sand can easily fall through the holes. Avoid sneakers and closed-toe shoes; choose flip-flops, which can be easily shaken clean, instead. And choose a chair over a beach towel when lounging; chairs can be dipped in the water so any sand is easily washed off and returned to the beach.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When you're chopping your own firewood at home, it's typically from dead or dying trees. And often with dead trees come invasive species like the emerald ash borer, which is a highly damaging species of insect. There's a simple way you can help prevent the spread of invasive species: Don't let your firewood leave your property. Moving just a few logs to gift to others or use on a camping trip can spread invasive species farther. It takes just one infected log to have a devastating impact.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you've just moved into a new home, you might wonder what to do with the cache of now-empty cardboard boxes. Sure, you can flatten them and either save them for future moves or recycle them, but you can also give them to someone to reuse. The easiest solution is to post on a website like Craigslist or FreeCycle that you have free moving boxes to give away. But you can also let your real estate agent know, and they can connect you with someone in the neighborhood who may be moving, too. Local nonprofits like Goodwill are also in need of boxes to move things.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION