Do Just One Thing

It’s obvious that kitchen scraps like vegetable peels and eggshells are best composted and turned into beneficial mulch. But for those who can’t compost, which is the better option: the garbage disposal or the trash? It depends on where you live. If you live in a community where water is scarce, opt to throw those scraps into the trash. But if water isn’t scarce and you’re on a public system, go with the disposal. The water treatment plant can handle the waste and capture methane gas (which a landfill environment would create from your scraps).

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you’re an avid composter, it may seem like a no-brainer to toss avocado skins and pits into the compost bin. And why not? They’re totally organic and biodegradable. But the reality is, avocado waste is very slow to decompose and can ruin your compost if you have too much rind in the mix. If you want to compost it, cut the peels into small strips or squares. And if you're feeling adventurous, toss a pit into rich, finished compost -- it could grow into a mini avocado tree.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When you’re filling your vehicle’s gas tank, don’t “top off” the car when the pump stops. When you do, you’re not only wasting gas, but you’re wasting money. Adding that little bit of extra gas increases the chance that excess fuel will simply evaporate in the atmosphere. And if your car is newer, it may have something called an “emissions canister” that is designed to prevent fuel vapors from leaking. Adding too much gas renders the canister useless and increases the likelihood of gas leaking or spilling out of the tank.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION