Office paper is an easily recyclable and desired material, but if it's shredded, don't throw it in the recycling. Modern paper shredders do a fine job at turning sensitive documents into itty-bitty confetti, but those very short fibers make shredded paper a terrible recyclable. When shredded paper makes its way into a recycling load, it can devalue the whole load or, worse, contaminate it, forcing the recycling center to throw it out. Rather than shredding everything, shred what's actually private and recycle the rest.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Buying commonly used items in stores is far better for the environment than buying online. When you buy things like toothpaste, detergent and your favorite pantry staples, you're "bulk" buying them together in a single purchase in a store. A study by Environmental Science & Technology found these same common-item purchases when carried out online were singular, meaning each item was packaged, shipped separately and sent from multiple distribution centers. Even factoring in driving to a store, shopping in-person was far better for the planet.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When it comes to wrapping up a package to send in the mail, you might wonder if there are greener options for packing tape. Traditional tape is plastic-based and not recyclable or biodegradable. A greener option is paper tape with an adhesive that's activated by water; this variety is common in mass retail shipping operations and can easily be purchased for home use. There are also brands making biodegradable tape from plant-based ingredients; look for these options in stores. Finally, if you do use plastic tape, just buy the roll and skip the plastic components that usually come with it.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION