While buying lightly used items from a thrift store or online is a smart way to save money and reduce waste, there are some things you should never buy used. Avoid used cribs, especially those made before June 2011. Safety standards changed significantly after June 2011, including new regulations on things like the height of the crib, the slat width and even how the mattress fits. These standards were changed to make cribs safer for the baby. When in doubt, don't buy it. And don't donate a crib if you know it predates those changes.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Moving from one home to another – packing, purging and unloading -- can generate a lot of waste. One simple way to green your move is to invest in reusable (and rentable) storage containers that you can fill up, move and return to the moving company. Also, instead of using copious amounts of plastic cushioning material, gather all of your kitchen and bath towels and blankets and use them to wrap fragile items. And recycle everything you can: Rinse out old bottles in the fridge, tear down cardboard boxes and donate unwanted clothes and housewares to charity.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

We have all heard that reducing our meat intake can have a profound impact on greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, according to Conservation International, our global food system contributes nearly 1/4 of those emissions. While a vegetarian diet is the greenest, it's not the only choice. To reduce global warming, keep these numbers in mind: A 6-oz serving of beef equates to 330 grams of CO2. Compare that to chicken (50 grams), fish (40 grams) and vegetables, which come in at just 14 grams. Switching from beef to chicken or fish is one easy way to help reduce emissions.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION