Mulch made from recycled rubber sounds eco-friendly, but it's not a good option for your garden. While this variety of mulch does make use of a waste product that's notoriously difficult to recycle -- tires -- the reality is that rubber does not biodegrade, and recycled rubber mulch slowly leaches chemicals into your soil. It's also highly flammable, making it unsafe for your home. Opt for greener and more natural options instead.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When traveling, if your destination is less than 300 miles away, it's best to avoid short-haul flights and opt for a different mode of transportation. According to the World Wildlife Fund, short-haul flights are the least fuel-efficient way to travel. Choosing to drive or going by bus or train are the most eco-friendly ways when you don't have too far to go. And when you do have to travel far, choose planes with the highest possible occupancy rates: This means they are the most fuel-efficient for that fleet of planes.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you've ever found the smell of gas annoying while at the filling station, you're not wrong to be irritated: It's not only obnoxious, but it could be toxic. The fumes you smell are likely benzene and toluene fumes, which can lead to health problems. When pumping gas, the proper way to fill up is to insert the nozzle into your gas inlet and use the "hold-open latch," which snaps into place on the nozzle handle and allows the gas to flow continuously without the need for you to hold the nozzle. Stand a few feet away to avoid the fumes, and be sure to not top off the tank, which can release additional fumes into the atmosphere.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION