Coming out Jan. 2, 2024, my book "Do Just One Thing: 365 Ideas for a Better You, Life, and Planet" is a compilation of my favorite tips from my many years of penning this column. The tips, hacks and ideas range from simple ways to be more sustainable, to brilliant tips for cutting waste, to my go-to steps for saving money. My all-time favorite hack? Giving an aspirin to a dying plant to help it overcome stress and combat disease. It really works!

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Did you know plastic bags, cling wrap, sandwich bags, produce bags and plastic that covers your clothing from the dry cleaner can all be recycled? They're just not EASILY recyclable for most of us. The website How2Recycle.info has made it easy: By simply typing in your ZIP code, you can see all the local stores in your community that will take these materials for recycling. Stores like Lowe's, Kohl's and major supermarket chains participate, and all you have to do is drop off your bags in designated recycling bins.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

It's believed something like 5 billion pounds of unwanted holiday gifts -- sweaters, gift baskets, candy, decor and more -- end up in landfills every year. That means a lot of "perfect" gifts ended up being wastes of resources and money. For gift-giving, think less materialistic and more experiential. A night out for dinner with friends, paid access to a news outlet or a subscription to a digital music service are all great gifts to give ... with no waste!

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION