Do Just One Thing

If you love wine and want to be a little greener with your purchases, consider glass bottles made from something called "Eco-Glass." Although glass is infinitely recyclable, it can still be heavy in cases and require a lot of fuel to ship from the vineyard to your store. Eco-Glass is 25% lighter than regular glass, with absolutely no compromise in the quality of the wine inside the bottle. There are some big players using this lighter glass; to find out if your favorite varietal is using it, visit eco-glass.org.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

What can you do with a bottle of olive oil that has gone rancid? While you may not be able to cook or make a salad dressing with it anymore, that doesn't mean you can't put it to some other good use. Old olive oil is a fantastic conditioner for leather furniture. Just rub it all over the cracked, dried leather and let it sit for 30 minutes, then buff away the excess with a clean towel to reveal furniture that's supple and soft. The same can be done with leather shoes; just a little goes a long way to turn dull leather shoes into a polished pair.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you have an older home, take a look at your refrigerator and dishwasher to determine if they need to be replaced based on age. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a dishwasher made before 1994 is likely to add an extra $40 a year to your utility bill and waste more than 10 gallons of water each time you use it. If you have a fridge from the 1980s, you could save $100 a year by replacing it; if your fridge is from the '70s, you can recoup more than $200 a year. Replacing these items now with energy-efficient models can help you save money and the environment.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION