Do you wear disposable contact lenses? Yes, those one-a-day-style contact lenses are problematic for the environment. It's believed as many as 20% of wearers flush their old lenses down the toilet, which means they end up in wastewater treatment centers and eventually break down into microplastics in natural waterways. Instead, dispose of your lenses in the trash, where they have less of a chance of getting into lakes, rivers and oceans. Or take the greenest step: Wear eyeglasses.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Cast iron is an excellent choice to cook with because it is incredibly durable, naturally nonstick and free of any questionable chemicals like PTFE and PFOA, which are found in many nonstick pans today. If you're in the market for a cast-iron skillet, however, avoid the temptation to buy a "pre-seasoned" one. Pre-seasoned means the pan has been pre-sprayed with a layer of fat at the factory. Since the source of fat is not required to be on the label, those with peanut allergies could be affected by pre-seasoned pans. Instead, look for raw-iron pans and season them yourself using your own oils, so you know exactly what's in the pan when you cook with it.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

I may be the season for snow on the ground, but now is a good time to start saving items we normally discard to use for our spring gardens. Save worn T-shirts and pantyhose, and cut them into strips to tie plants to support stakes. Cardboard egg cartons can be filled with potting soil to start seedlings; when ready to transplant, simply tear and place in the garden soil, carton and all. And used paint stirrers can be plant ID markers; just write the plant name with a permanent ink pen and stick the stirrer in the ground. Looks cool, and it's free!

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION