Do Just One Thing

Yes, even your recycling bin needs to be somewhat clean in order for your load of recyclables to be recycled. When your recycling bin is sticky or coated with remnants of whatever was inside your cans and bottles, things like paper, cardboard and plastics can be contaminated. Smelly recycling bins attract wildlife, too. Just give the bin a good rinse with water and dish soap whenever it's obvious it needs a good cleaning.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

According to one of the largest waste and recycling haulers in the country, there's one major no-no when you recycle at home: Never recycle anything smaller than a credit card. Republic Services says while it's tempting to be a good recycler and keep every little piece out of the landfill, small things like shredded paper, bottle caps, pieces of cardboard and metal tabs can muck up recycling machines. When they do, it slows the process down and causes more harm than good. Toss any small things in the trash.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

It's unfortunate when a large tree on your property dies, but you don't need to knock it down right away. Trees that are in the early stages of decay offer a real benefit to wildlife. Bats -- which eat thousands of insects in a single night -- love to roost in dying trees. Leaving a dying tree up for a year or two when it isn't an immediate hazard can give bats the perfect habitat and keep the insects in your yard in check, too.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION