We all recycle, but there are ways to make it easier and more efficient. Labels on glass bottles and jars do not need to be removed; in fact, they help keep the bottles intact and prevent breakage. When glass is recycled, the labels are removed or burnt off during the melting process anyway. When recycling cardboard boxes, if you set the flattened boxes out at night and it rains, no need to worry. Wet cardboard is still recyclable. Finally, make room in your recycling bin by crushing aluminum cans. They are still recyclable, and it frees up space for bulkier recyclables.

If you're going to be away from home for a long period of time, it's a good idea to "power down" the home and cut waste to save money and energy. Go around the house and unplug major appliances like TVs, stereos, microwave ovens and even the refrigerator. Make sure the cable box, Wi-Fi and computers are completely unplugged from the wall sockets to stop trickle power, even if everything is turned off. Turn your water heater to the lowest setting possible and lower the thermostat, too. If you get a newspaper delivery, put a stop on delivery from the day you're gone to the day you're back.

Want to stay at an eco-friendly hotel when you travel? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, all you have to do is look for a certification mark on the hotel website. These third-party associations, like Green Seal or Green Leaf, certify green hotels based on their energy consumption, recycling programs, water conservation efforts and internal efforts to reduce waste at the property. It even counts the use of locally grown and organic foods for the on-site restaurants. Without these marks, it can be hard to identify if a hotel property is truly green, so either seal helps ensure you're staying somewhere eco-chic.