There’s no need to buy shredded paper or gift-bag filler from a store when you can easily make your own. Older paper shredders are great for turning scrap paper or junk mail into filler. You can also invest in a pair of shredder scissors, which let you manually create long paper strips. Use the homemade paper fill to cushion fruit in gift baskets or to protect fragile items when shipping.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Have you ever seen an Instagram post about a dog or cat up for adoption, a charity doing good work, or a tip to help reduce someone’s carbon footprint? Don’t just watch it -- like it. The more likes a post receives, the more likely Instagram is to show it to a wider audience. Higher engagement signals that the post is valuable and popular, helping these “good works” posts go viral and gain the influence they deserve.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Is it better to send a printed greeting card or an e-card, which uses energy to power servers and devices? It turns out digital is the winner. Printed cards require significantly more resources, energy and transportation to produce and deliver. In fact, a digital card has roughly one-third the carbon footprint of a printed one. If you enjoy sending printed cards, choose ones made from recycled paper and reserve them for the occasions that matter most to you.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION