If you're thinking of upgrading to a new computer, ask yourself if you can extend the life of your monitor or laptop just a few more months, or even a year. The greenhouse gases released to manufacture and transport electronics and new computer equipment are considerable. The University of Edinburgh did a study and found if you can extend computer equipment usage from four years to six, you can prevent around 418 pounds of CO2 emissions.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

You’ve heard of secondhand smoke, but what about thirdhand smoke? According to the children’s health advocacy group Healthy Child Healthy World, thirdhand smoke occurs when toxic residues from smoking remain on clothes, fabrics, furnishings, walls, bedding and other porous surfaces in a room. While the best way to protect children is to avoid exposure to smokers altogether, that isn’t always possible. If you enter a room with lingering smoke residue, open windows and use fans to circulate fresh air. Ask people who smoke to change their clothes and wash their hands before interacting with infants and children.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Bamboo is a wonderful eco-friendly material that can be used for a great variety of things, but bamboo cookware may not be the best option for your green kitchen. Since bamboo spatulas and large spoons are glued together in strips, overheating them in bubbly pots of sauce or boiling water could actually cause the glue to melt and seep into your food. Instead of bamboo, invest in solid wood or metal kitchen tools that are intact and free of glues.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION