Many of us are looking for alternatives to paraffin candles because they are petroleum-based and can add pollutants to the air when burned. One natural alternative -- palm oil -- may seem like a greener choice because it’s completely plant-based. But it’s not sustainable. Most palm oil (which is from the palm tree) is grown on clear-cut land that was once rainforest. This old, diverse rainforest land is home to endangered animal species. It’s best to avoid palm oil altogether to help preserve at-risk rainforest land from deforestation.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Older appliances in the home that are still working well and don’t seem to need to be replaced are still not as efficient as they were the first day you plugged them in. You can see exactly how energy-efficient (or inefficient) your refrigerator or television really is by plugging it into an energy consumption reader. The device -- one brand is called a Kill-a-Watt -- connects to the appliance and displays on a screen its true energy usage. These readers cost about $25 to buy, or you can borrow them for free from your local library.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you want to attract more birds to your yard, there’s no need to have bird feeders full of seed everywhere. Instead, eliminate all chemical insecticides from your backyard. According to the National Wildlife Federation, our feathered friends love to hunt and eat insects because it’s their primary source of protein. When a yard is treated to eliminate insects, it’s a less attractive environment for birds to visit. Turn your yard into a wildlife habitat and you’ll not only go green, but you’ll save the money you would have spent on costly (and unnecessary) spray treatments.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION