When it's time to replace a worn-out comforter -- whether it's down feather, polyester or a mix of feather and faux -- what do you do with it? The good news: It's recyclable. Old textiles, including clothes, blankets and, yes, comforters, are recyclable materials that can be made into new products. Usually, it's used as upholstery fill for furniture or cars, building materials or cleaning cloths. But whatever it is, old comforters should not be tossed out. Instead, put your bedding into a clean garbage bag and donate it like you would clothing to charities like Goodwill. The nonprofit will resell it to textile recyclers.

When it's time to bring your houseplants indoors, do this one thing: Sprinkle them with black pepper. Ground black pepper is a natural deterrent for insects, so any little bugs that may get a free ride into your home will run away from your peppered plants. Just mix a large amount of black pepper with white flour, and gently sprinkle it on top of the leaves and ground -- using a metal sifter makes it a mess-free project. Wait 24 hours before you bring the plants inside. All of the bugs will be long gone, and the peppery flour will naturally degrade and disappear.

Every single day, over 100 disposable pens are tossed in the trash. One way to help stop waste is to invest in a high-quality refillable pen. But many of those pens can be really expensive and difficult to refill. Instead, look for the seven-year pen. Its design marries the convenience and price of a disposable pen with the eco-attributes of a refillable pen. The big difference between it and a disposable pen? The seven-year pen hides a jumbo ink cartridge inside a highly durable pen casing, and it can write up to 1.7 meters of penmanship a day. That equals a lifespan of seven years.