Warmer weather usually means small renovation projects around the house that involve paint, varnish and other adhesives. When shopping for these items at the hardware store, look for ones that emit zero or very low volatile organic compounds (VOC) into the air. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, these common home renovation items are the second-largest source of VOC emissions among consumer and commercial products. Choosing zero- and low-VOC options helps keep your home a healthy place to live.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

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