Do just one thing

INCENTIVE TO GO GREEN

Inside the Inflation Reduction Act passed in 2022, there’s a tax-saving incentive for homeowners to go greener. It’s called the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit, which gives consumers up to $3,200 as a federal tax credit when purchasing energy-efficient products. Hunter Douglas, one of the largest manufacturers of window coverings, says that honeycomb-style shades, which insulate windows, can save homeowners 15% on their overall energy costs, and that they are eligible for up to $1,200 in federal tax credit savings, too. Learn more at energystar.gov.

LAB GROWN DIAMONDS

Have you heard about lab-grown diamonds? Unlike natural diamonds that are mined from deep within the Earth, these are man-made diamonds created in a laboratory. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, made in a machine that replicates the natural process by subjecting carbon to heat and pressure. But the production of lab-grown diamonds does not result in the air and water pollution that often comes with the mining of natural diamonds. When shopping for diamonds for a special occasion, consider lab-grown over mined, or even better, go with vintage or antique.

RECYCLE CARPET

If you’re ripping out old wall-to-wall carpet, it’s worth the effort to find a recycling facility to take it instead of sending it to a landfill. The good news is that carpet and carpet padding are recyclable -- they’re made into a plastic resin that’s used to make a wide range of home and automotive products. To find a recycler, just visit carpetrecovery.org and locate a recycler on the “collector finder map.” Since carpet recycling isn’t something you’re likely to do on a regular basis, taking this extra step even one time can go a long way to help reduce landfill waste.

‘1’ PLASTIC CUPS

While disposable plastic cups are never really an eco-friendly option, sometimes they’re hard to avoid at special events and get-togethers. If you must buy throwaway cups, choose ones marked with a “1” recycling symbol on the bottom of the cup, instead of the standard “6.” No. 6 plastics are typically found in Styrofoam or very dense plastic cups (usually designed to mimic crystal glass) and are nearly impossible to recycle. No. 1 plastic, or PETE, is commonly found in soda and water bottles, and is the most commonly recyclable plastic. An even better option: Get paperbased compostable cups and compost them right at home.

USE RIGHT GRASS

While there are lots of tips and advice for growing a green lawn — from avoiding chemical fertilizers to ways to cut back on watering — remember to think right from the start about which type of grass seed you use. There are many varieties of grass and grass seed, some of which are specific to particular regions of the country. Before buying, go online to sites like naturesseed.com and find out which seed is right for your lawn. The best seed means it has the best chance to thrive, which means less water, less chemical treatment and a green and gorgeous lawn.

LIVE TRAP FOR MICE

Did you know it’s easy to make a live trap to capture mice that might be in your home? Just place dry oatmeal and peanut butter inside a small plastic trash can, then stack books along the edge so the mice can climb up the books and jump into the trash can. They’ll get their treat, but they’ll be unable to scale the high walls and escape. Be sure to release the mice at least one mile away from your home so they won’t come straight back to your house.

ANIMAL FRIENDLY DAFFODILS

If you want to live in harmony with wildlife but also enjoy a yard filled with beautiful flowers, consider blossoms that look great but are unpalatable to animals. Daffodils are a winner — they flourish and are detested by squirrels, rabbits and deer because of their foul taste. Other types of flowers include alliums (from the onion family), hyacinth and geraniums, which all can be planted at the borders of gardens to act as a repellant, preventing animals from dining on the flowers they do love.