The “fast” culture that has inundated fashion with cheaply made garments has worked its way into the furniture business, but filling your home with cheaply made furniture is one of the worst things you can do for the environment. Avoid furniture composed of engineered woods, which look like solid wood but are made of particle board, plywood and MDF. These composite materials are glued together, and toxic chemicals often are used to create them. Furniture made with engineered woods is not durable, but ironically, it does not degrade in landfills.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Did you know around 45% of America’s children live in neighborhoods that do not have public libraries or even stores that sell books? The nonprofit Kids Need to Read wants to change that and ensure that all children have access to quality reading materials by serving these communities and their underfunded public schools. If you have good-quality children’s books you would like to donate, visit kidsneedtoread.org to learn how you can help.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Facebook Marketplace is more than just an easy way to turn your unwanted goods into some cash; it’s also better for the environment. While we’re used to donating items to charity shops, a high percentage of these items actually don’t get resold and end up in landfills. Facebook Marketplace (and other platforms like it) connects buyers and sellers, so you know your item is being reused, not landfilled. And keeping it local also means the items aren’t being shipped far away, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION