Yes, your garbage cans and recycling bins need to be washed on a regular basis. Trash cans and bins can be loaded with illness-causing bacteria like salmonella, listeria and E. coli. When you come in contact with them while discarding of trash, these bacteria can transfer to you. Washing your containers also helps make them less attractive to wild animals, since strong odors indicate there could be food inside. Just rinse the bins out with soap and water and let them drain on your yard.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When cuts and scrapes happen, it's important to cover the wound with a bandage to help it heal. But these bandages almost always are made from single-use plastic, and they contribute to the global plastic pollution crisis. Check your local store's shelves for new bandages made from bamboo fiber. They have a gauzelike feel and contain eco-friendly alternatives like coconut oil, activated charcoal and aloe to cool and soothe wounds. And use bamboo fiber body tape for sore muscles.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Bring one more thing the next time you visit the beach, to help remove microplastics: a fine-mesh strainer. Yes, the same kitchen strainer you use to sift flour or wash berries can be used to remove plastics. Just scoop dirty sand into the sifter and sift away. The sand will fall through the mesh and the plastics will be left behind. Removing plastics helps prevent them from going into the ocean and keeps wild animals from accidentally ingesting them.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION