Do Just One Thing

Can books be recycled? It all depends on the type of book, and if you're willing to take one extra step to make them recyclable. You can toss any paperback book in a paper recycling bin, since the whole book is recyclable. But when it comes to hardcover books, you'll need to rip off the cover and spine due to the thick composite and glues used for binding. That cover can be tossed into the trash, while all the interior pages can easily be recycled. Of course, you can always donate books to Goodwill and the Salvation Army, too.

When buying paint to give your home's walls a refresh, understand the difference between low-VOC and zero-VOC paints. Many national brands of paint will label their paint as "low-VOC" or low in volatile organic compounds, the odor paint gives off. While it sounds healthy and green, low also means that it contains chemicals that lead to poor indoor air quality. In fact, nearly all latex paints today are considered low-VOC. What you want for the greenest choice is zero-VOC paint, which is just that: No volatile organic compounds whatsoever.

Not all canned tuna fish is the same. Most national brands of tuna use fishing methods called trawl, pure seine or long-line fishing, which is designed to get the maximum catch in the fastest time. The problem? Instead of just harvesting tuna, these methods also attract a significant amount of "by-catch," which includes aquatic species like turtles, dolphins, stingrays and sharks. If you love tuna and want to do the right thing, look for brands that use pole fishing. This is the method done for centuries with a fishing pole, bait and fishing line to catch one fish at a time. Brands like Wild Planet practice this method and have nearly no by-catch.