If you have milk in the fridge that’s spoiled or questionable, don’t pour it down the drain. The great thing about milk is that it’s loaded with nutrients like calcium, protein, vitamin B and natural sugars that are also good for plants. Use old milk as an all-natural fertilizer by pouring it around the base of plants in the garden to give them a nutritional boost. Microorganisms will love it, too, which helps to improve the overall health of the soil in the long term.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you’re replacing your roof or building a new home, it’s really an excellent time to consider upgrading for solar power. As solar panels and solar roofing tiles become more affordable, retrofitting your roof to accept solar panels is an easy step to modernize it for the future. When building a new home or replacing the roof, you can add flashable mounting brackets (they provide the highest level of protection for your roof and the panels) even if you’re not ready for panels. A solar-ready home has considerable resale value, too.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Did you know that plastic tubes of toothpaste may be recyclable? Major manufacturers have switched from using a plastic tube made from a variety of plastics to the more commonly recyclable No. 2 polyethylene plastic. While any plastic is never really the greenest solution, this is a step in the right direction, since this type of plastic is commonly accepted in curbside recycling and has a good chance of being recycled. If you want to go greener, look for brands that use aluminum for their packaging.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION