Practical Ways You Can Spark Change

Learn how to become a savvier consumer and an effective environmental and public health advocate with these toolkits and how-tos.

Featured How-Tos & Toolkits

A man and woman in winter clothing sit on a passenger bus

How to Ditch the Biggest Fossil Fuel Offenders in Your Life

May 4, 2026 How-ToUnited StatesCourtney Lindwall

Here are some high-impact ways to reduce your personal use of oil and gas and gain a little energy independence.

An illustration of a toilet flushing down trees

The Best and Worst Toilet Paper, Paper Towel, and Facial Tissue Brands

December 3, 2025 How-ToCanada, United StatesCourtney Lindwall

Tissue paper production is taking a devastating toll on forests. NRDC’s newest Issue with Tissue report can help you find earth-friendly brands.

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How to Combat Weeds . . . Gently

June 25, 2019 How-ToUnited StatesJillian Mackenzie

Natural solutions like mulch, cover crops, vinegar, and a little elbow grease will help keep the chemicals out of your garden—and your body.

How to Turn Your Patch of Earth From Barren to Bountiful

May 28, 2019 How-ToUnited States, CaliforniaCourtney Lindwall

For a healthier backyard garden, you need to invite nature in. Try a few strategies featured in the documentary "The Biggest Little Farm."

Your Newest Tool to Tackle Food Waste: Meal Prep Mate

April 2, 2019 How-ToUnited StatesJodi Helmer

How to cook what you’ll eat, eat what you cook, and save on your grocery bills, too.

10 Tips for Hosting a Wonderful and Waste-Free Holiday

November 20, 2018 How-ToUnited StatesClara Chaisson

Indulge your guests without spoiling the planet this season.

Green Your Halloween

October 9, 2018 How-ToUnited StatesClara Chaisson

Five ways to indulge your sweet tooth and your spooky side without a whole lot of waste or frightful chemicals.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Most of All, Reduce.

July 31, 2018 How-ToUnited StatesMelissa Denchak

Try incorporating these small tweaks into your routine. You’ll throw out less trash, and help fight climate change at the same time.

How (and Why) to Be a Seed Savior

May 29, 2018 How-ToNancy Castaldo

You can help rescue the planet’s diminishing agrodiversity . . . even if you’re more of an eater than a grower.

Green Your Coffee Habit

September 26, 2017 How-ToJillian Mackenzie

Our guide to buying greener beans, brewing with less waste, and avoiding all that packaging.

To Shrink Your Carbon Footprint, Ease Up on the Dairy

June 2, 2017 How-ToUnited StatesJenny Shalant

Milk does a body good, but it also does a number on the planet.

Attention, Online Shoppers

January 31, 2017 How-ToUnited States, InternationalMelissa Denchak

Is shopping online or in-store better for the environment? It depends—on you.

10 Easy Tips for Meal Planning

November 3, 2016 How-ToUnited States

Planning meals in advance can seem intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be. (No, really.) Arm yourself with these 10 easy tips, and you’ll be scheduling meals and saving food like a pro in no time at all.

More Sustainable (and Beautiful) Alternatives to a Grass Lawn

September 30, 2016 How-ToUnited States, Ohio, CaliforniaMary Talbot

Manicured turf grass lawns cover up to 50 million acres of land in America. But a new, no-mow movement is challenging this conformity—and helping the environment.

Attention Food Lovers: Eco-Conscious Eating Isn’t All About Distance

July 13, 2016 How-ToUnited States, California

Want to make a real difference with your grocery money? Find out where and how your food is produced.

Composting Is Way Easier Than You Think

June 16, 2016 How-ToUnited StatesJillian Mackenzie

With minimal effort, you can turn those banana peels and apple cores into gold. Let us break it down.

How to Buy Good Wood

March 15, 2016 How-ToUnited StatesAmanda MacMillan

Your guide to purchasing sustainably sourced lumber and furniture.

Nueve trucos para no desperdiciar el agua

January 5, 2016 How-ToUnited States

Ya has dejado de lavar media tanda de ropa y de dejar el agua correr en lo que te cepillas los dientes. Pues bien. ¿Sabías que existen muchísimas maneras más de evitar botar agua? Y cuando decimos botar agua, son…

9 Tricks That Save Tons of Water

January 5, 2016 How-ToUnited States

So you’ve stopped doing half loads of laundry and running the faucet when you brush your teeth. Great! Did you know about all these other ways you can avoid wasting hundreds of gallons of water a day?