Did you know it’s illegal to take sand from beaches in Hawaii? It’s also illegal to purchase sand online if it’s taken from Hawaii. The reason is an uptick in erosion, causing Hawaiian beaches to shrink. It’s easy to understand why this sand is for sale: It’s colorful and unusual, and it comes from a breathtaking destination. If you do see sand for sale online, report it to help get the listing removed. And always remember: Even small amounts of sand in your shoes and bags should be shaken out and left on the beach.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

It may still be warm outside, but here’s a plan-ahead tip for the cold winter months: Invest in an electric snowblower. New electric snow blowers utilize rechargeable batteries, so there’s no gas tank to fill, and there are no greenhouse emissions released when it’s in use. This is also the perfect solution for small-scale snow removal. Of course, the greenest snow-removal system is a shovel and broom -- but if you need a snowblower, go electric.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When you ship items through the mail, one of the eco-offenders that mucks up the cardboard and paperboard recycling process is plastic packing tape. The good news is there’s an eco-friendly alternative called compostable tape. It looks and works just like regular tape, but it’s made entirely from plant-based sources, and the adhesive is from natural rubber. It can be left on the box to be part of the recycling process or removed to be composted naturally in a compost bin. The tape is easy to find for purchase by searching for “compostable packing tape.”

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION