5 easy things you can do to take some pressure off the planet

Buy less

There’s a fix for that: You don’t have to be handy to salvage broken appliances or furniture. Groups around the world convene to restore items in disrepair, to keep them out of landfills. Most meetups are on hold for now, but some have gone virtual. fixitclinic.org

Home energy

Don’t lose your cool: Feeling the heat even when your cooling system is on? Take a look at your windows. Seal any cracks around the edges with caulk or weather stripping, to keep cooled air from escaping. And consider insulated cellular—or honeycomb—shades, which can reduce solar heat coming through the windows by up to 80 percent. More tips: energy.gov/energysaver/heat-and-cool

Safer water

A 2017 analysis found 26 different drugs in samples of drinking water from across the United States. Don’t flush or toss medications; find a directory of safe disposal spots at safe.pharmacy/drug-disposal

Skip plastic

Better baggies: All those plastic sacks for snacks and leftovers join more than 10 million tons of packaging headed to landfills each year. You’ll find plenty of reusable alternatives made of silicone, fabric, and other materials. stasherbag.com

In the yard

Unchecked storm runoff carries motor oil, debris, and pesticides into waterways. Rain gardens collect excess water, letting the ground filter it. epa.gov/soakuptherain