Do Just One Thing

Wax paper can do more than just wrap food. Use it to give spotty bathroom fixtures a shine; the residual wax will buff the metal and create a barrier to prevent new spots from forming. You can also use it to unstick a zipper: Just rub waxed paper right over the zipper to lubricate it. And save used waxed paper to use as a fire-starter. The paper-and-wax combo is perfect for creating a slow burn so your fireplace or grill will ignite in no time flat.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

It's no surprise that flying on a plane isn't the most eco-friendly way to travel, but sometimes it's the only way to get where you need to go. One way to help reduce your carbon footprint when you fly is to simply pack less. The more weight from overpacked suitcases on the plane, the more fuel it consumes to fly. If every passenger on a domestic flight packed 5 pounds less stuff, that would save over 60 million gallons of fuel every year. Take out one pair of shoes, a few books and a pair of jeans, and voila! Five pounds gone.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Did you know that birds have a taste for artificial sweeteners? The pink and blue packets are appealing to our feathered friends, once they get a taste for sweeteners; so much so that many birds will swipe them from outdoor tables at restaurants. Unfortunately, birds are the last animals that need to lose weight, so the zero nutritional content they get from consuming artificial sweeteners can harm them; some birds even starve to death eating them. Keep the packets out of the open when you dine outside, and ask restaurants to stash them to help birds maintain their natural diet.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION