To help you prepare for winter, here’s a list of the eco-friendly steps you can take to make sure your fall cleanup is as green as it can be.

Compost: According to the Audubon Society, American yards generate two tons of clippings each year. A lot of that waste ends up being bagged and thrown away. So this fall, instead of bagging your yard waste, use dead leaves and lawn clippings to start composting. This not only has the benefit of saving valuable landfill space, but will also provide you with quality fertilizer to get your garden started again in the spring.

Use Your Own Power: It takes a lot of work to keep a yard in tip-top shape. Gasoline powered mowers, leaf blowers, and string trimmers may make that work faster, but they also use a lot of energy and create hazardous fumes. In fact, a typical riding lawn mower actually produces four times as much pollution per hour as a car. Also, in addition to harmful emissions, the force from gasoline powered leaf blowers can create clouds of potentially hazardous substances such as mold, pesticides, and allergens. So instead of using that gas, why not use your own power? Gather leaves with a regular old rake and cut the grass using a push mower. You’ll be saving energy and getting exercise. If your yard is just big to handle without help, purchase an electric lawn mower with a rechargeable battery, which will eliminate noxious fumes and reduce gasoline consumption.

Take Care of Your Yard: While it might seem like your yard goes dormant in the fall, this is actually a great time to prepare your lawn for the new year. Aerating will allow oxygen and moisture to reach the roots of plants while they weather the winter and will also improve the water retention of your yard, which will reduce the need for irrigation. Be sure to use a manual and not a gasoline powered aerator. Fall is also the best time to apply compost tea, a mixture made from soaking compost in water (this can be done in buckets with aquarium pumps or in specially designed brewers). Compost tea is rich in the nutrients and microbial life that improve plant health, and applying compost tea in the fall can help plants survive the winter and will provide a head start for your garden when spring arrives. If you live an area prone to frosts, fall is also a good time to prep your yard for the cold weather ahead. Put away hoses you won’t need and insulate outdoor fixtures to prevent damage from the cold. If you have a rain barrel you may want to pack it away—when the water inside freezes it can expand and damage the container. Also bring in any potted plants that won’t make it through the winter outside and prepare any coverings you may need for outdoor plants so you’re ready when the first freeze arrives.

Get Your Neighbors Involved: If you’re dreading all that fall yard work, why not make it a little more fun? Get the community together to celebrate Fall with a leaf-raking, yard-trimming block party. You can help out your neighbors who may not be able to take care of their yard on their own and make sure everyone’s waste is disposed of properly. Then, when the work’s all done, kick back and enjoy the last few days of warm weather with a barbeque, potluck, or other refreshments.

It’s going to be a weekend full of sugar-hyped trick-or-treaters, creepy front-yard department store decor and makeup-covered adults sipping from spiked punch cauldrons.

Each Halloween, an estimated $40 per capita is spent on candy, decorations and greeting cards, all of which produce large amounts of waste. Here are some eco-friendly tips to make this Halloween a little less crushing for the planet, your wallet, and your recuperation time on Nov. 1.

1. Hand out organic goodies. From lollipops to gummy bears, many companies specialize in making healthier alternatives to traditional candy. YummyEarth offers organic treats with no chemical colors, artificial flavors or corn syrup. You can find them at major retailers like Toys ‘R’ Us and Whole Foods. Also, Trader Joe’s offers a line of organic lollipops.

2. LED the way. Consider using LED lights or solar-powered lamps to light the path to your front door for those trick-or-treaters. Plus, an investment in solar garden lights can save you long term, with a return on investment of 47 percent over 10 years.

3. Host a costume swap. We know it’s a little late, and you may already have that perfect costume picked out. But if you’re still looking, skip the Halloween mega store and cheap materials and host a small costume swap party with your neighbors and friends. You may even come up with new ideas for a show-stopping outfit.

4. Use what you already have. We know it’s easy just to buy that $2 plastic pumpkin basket at the grocery store, but we guarantee there’s something in the home that can double as a trick-or-treat bag. Off the top of our heads, we’re thinking your reusable grocery bag, that wicker magazine basket in the bathroom, that over-sized purse you never use or even a plastic shopping bag stuffed under the sink.

5. Be a “craftster” for Halloween. DIY costumes and decorations are easier than you think and can save a ton of money. Plus, the kids will have a great time creating Halloween crafts, like a recycled light bulb witch or egg carton pumpkins. As for those costumes, check our guide to making pop culture icons from trash.

6. Sweep the sidewalk. If you’re expecting trick-or-treaters, it’s probably a smart idea to clear away the fall leaves. Instead of using a hose, save countless gallons of water by sweeping them with a broom. And remember, those leaves can be added to your compost pile.

7. Don’t toss the pumpkin seeds. What Halloween would be complete without a jack-o-lantern on the front porch? This year, instead of throwing away the “guts” of the pumpkin you scooped out, toast the seeds for a snack or even make oil out of them. They also make a great addition to your compost pile.

8. Party like an eco-star. If you’re hosting a party this year, set out recycling bins for those beer bottles and soda cans. If it’s a small get-together, use the plates and cups that are already in your closet. But if this year’s shindig will be a 50-plus throwdown, check out dinnerware made from recycled or compostable materials.

9. Walk the neighborhood. The best part about trick-or-treating is seeing everyone’s costumes. So, leave the car in the garage, get out a flashlight and walk your kids around the neighborhood.

10. Donate your costume on Nov. 1st. Do you know of a program in your community that could use your costume? There’s probably a school, local theater troupe, shelter or center that just might love those fairy wings and fireman hat.

Jose Alberto Gutierrez  is an avid reader of works by authors such as Leo Tolstoy, Victor Hugo and Mario Vargas Llosa. His favorite books include “One Hundred Years of Solitude” and “The General in his Labyrinth” by Colombia’s Nobel Prize-winning novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Despite only having a second-grade education, the garbage collector wants to spread his love of literature to thousands of children in impoverished areas of Colombia, the Associated Press reports.

Gutierrez started rescuing books from the trash almost 20 years ago, when he was driving a garbage truck at night through the capital’s wealthier neighborhoods. The discarded reading material slowly piled up, and now the ground floor of his small house is a makeshift community library stacked from floor to ceiling with some 20,000 books, ranging from chemistry textbooks to children’s classics.

He says books are luxuries for boys and girls in low-income neighborhoods such as his, with new reading material at bookstores too expensive. There are 19 public libraries in Bogota, a city of 8.5 million, but tend to be located far away from poorer areas.

“This should be in all neighborhoods, on each corner of every neighborhood, in all the towns, in all departments, and all the rural areas,” Gutierrez told the AP reporter. “Books are our salvation and that is what Colombia needs.”

The 53-year-old Gutierrez has a love of reading he attributes to his mother, who always read to him even though she was too poor to keep him in school.

“She used to read me stories every night,” said Gutierrez, who has traveled to book fairs in Mexico and Chile to share his experience of starting a library with discarded reading material. “To me, books are the greatest invention and the best thing that can happen to a human being.”

While Gutierrez still sifts through the rubbish for additions to his library, his fame as Colombia’s “Lord of the Books” has also brought him thousands of donated tomes that he’s sent to other libraries around the country because he doesn’t have room for them all.

He says he doesn’t reject technology that allows books to be read digitally, but says he prefers to read the printed word on paper.

“There’s nothing more beautiful than having a book in your pocket, in your bag or inside your car,” he says.

Recycling old books is a wonderful way to contribute to the literacy of the next generation, especially for children who don’t have easy access to libraries. Although no exact numbers exist, it’s likely that the number of books thrown away each year is enormous, when you consider Americans consume over 2 million paper books each year.

Next time you’re culling your own home library collection, consider donating as an alternative. Many libraries accept donations, which they in turn sell to the public and use profits to help fund their programs.

Groups like Books for Africa and Better World Books are also alternatives. A quick Google search will unearth many more choices. Think twice before getting rid of those childhood favorites.

The latest stories from around the country and the world:

U.K. Trash Cans Turned into Minions: Garbage bins in East Sussex, U.K., recently turned into Minions, and residents have been abuzz trying to figure who painted them, according to the local newspaper. The yellow cartoon characters appeared overnight this past Monday in the small southern U.K. towns of Peacehaven, Newhaven and Rottingdean, the Sussex Express reported. The bins were numbered one to 10, and it remains a mystery as to who painted them. The Peacehaven Town Council reportedly said it didn’t know who was responsible for the “binions,” as they’ve been called on social media, but said it “admired their creativity.” A spokesperson for the Lewes District Council said it doesn’t have a clue as to who painted the mysterious Minions, but that council members are happy they are bringing positive comments and “smiles from people passing by.” “Anything that encourages people to use the litter bins provided is a good thing as we want to keep the district clean and tidy for all to enjoy,” the spokesperson added.

Ocean Garbage Patch Twice the Size of Texas: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch that floats between California and Hawaii is even bigger than scientists believed—about twice the size of Texas, specifically. “We were surrounded by an endless layer of garbage,” a marine biologist who works for the Ocean Cleanup, which ran a survey expedition that returned yesterday, tells the AP. “It was devastating to see.” Dutch entrepreneur Boyan Slat, the 21-year-old behind the Ocean Cleanup, says that “if we don’t clean it up soon, then we will give the big plastic the time to break down into smaller and smaller pieces,” though the San Francisco Chronicle notes that Slat’s expedition found about 80% of the larger plastic out there hadn’t broken down yet. “Based on what we’ve seen out there, the only way to describe the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a ticking time bomb,” Slat says. He believes he can clean it up in 10 years, using floating barriers that are fixed to the seafloor. Current ocean garbage collection methods use nets, which Slat says is inefficient. “By using floating booms instead of nets, much larger areas will be covered,” he explains on his Indiegogo page. “Not using mesh means that even the smallest particles will be diverted and extracted.” The campaign raised nearly $90,000, and other fundraising efforts provided the “Ocean Cleanup Concept” with about $2.2 million. Slat hopes to begin the cleanup in 2020.

Puppies Rescued from Recycling Bin: Tampa police are trying to figure out who would throw away at least one puppy, which was found in a plastic bag in a recycling bin. Police say someone called 911 to report that there were dogs thrown away in the garbage can in Tampa last Monday, Fox reports. When officers arrived, they saw a mother dog on top of a recycle bin, looking like she was trying to pull a puppy out. Officers pulled the puppy out of the garbage and the plastic bag, and is expected to be OK. He was the runt of the litter, at about 4 pounds. Police said three more puppies, which were female, were found underneath a nearby shed. All of the puppies were alive. Tampa Police Spokeswoman Andrea Davis said it wasn’t clear whether the mom pulled all the puppies out of the trash can and brought them to the shed, or if only one puppy was thrown out. “Either way, it looks like someone threw away at least one puppy and mom dog was in the garbage can trying to get that puppy out,” Davis said. Officers interviewed several neighbors about what happened and seemed to focus on a subject who appears to live at the address where the dogs were found.

It’s time to head back to school! Use these tips to ensure that you’re being as environmentally friendly as possible when you wave goodbye to your kids on the first day:

DOES EVERYTHING HAVE TO BE NEW?  Okay sure, it’s great to show up on the 1st day back in some smashing brand new outfit, but beyond day one why do all of your school wardrobe items have to be brand new?  While the hand-me-down concept used to be the sole domain of younger siblings, there are a growing number of used clothing retailers that can insert a certain element of “eco-chic” to your child’s wardrobe and are much more affordable anyway.

PACK LUNCHES IN REUSABLE CONTAINERS  ‘Brown bagging’ may be synonymous with bringing your lunch, but single use, brown paper or plastic sandwich and lunch bags are a big no-no today.  The much better option is to pack their lunches in reusable food and drink containers, which can be used throughout the entire school year.  If paper bags must be used, look for bags that have not been bleached or are made from recycled paper.

RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO BUY IN BULK  Remember those packs of 24 cheap pens we used to buy in bulk?  Or those 5 packs of glue sticks? Well, in most cases we don’t really need to do that anymore. Where writing utensils are concerned, consider buying pens and pencils that are refillable. With other supplies, always take a realistic estimate of what you will need and if you don’t need to buy in bulk, then don’t.  More isn’t always better – even if it comes at a cheaper per unit price.

CHOOSE PRODUCTS WITH MINIMAL PACKAGING  Once upon a time we believed that extra packaging was a sign of prestige and quality.  Nowadays it’s just pure waste.  Keep this in mind when picking products in order to minimize the amount of non-recyclable items that we need to send to landfill.

RESPONSIBLE LAPTOP PURCHASING AND USAGE  While the use of personal computers in schools and for homework is all but essential today, we still need to be responsible users of them.  Be sure to turn off laptops when not in use to conserve energy.  In addition, while this may take time to research, consider supporting computer manufacturers that are working to reduce their environmental impacts.  Supporting these initiatives with your patronage will go a long way to ensure the continuance of their green evolution and will also encourage other manufacturers to follow suit.

SUPPORT LOCAL FOOD PRODUCERS  When purchasing food items for school lunches and snacks, try to source as many of these items from local food producers as possible.  Carbon emissions from trucks hauling produce and fruit across the continent are a big problem that can easily be reduced through smart food purchases.

WALK, CYCLE OR BUS TO SCHOOL Walking to school or riding a bicycle is a great way to get exercise before class.  It will help to sharpen a student’s focus in class and will add exercise to their daily routine as well.  If you drive your children to school but bussing is available, consider putting them on the bus instead.  It reduces your carbon footprint and allows them to socialize while en route with their friends.

If you don’t already recycle in your home, take this opportunity during the month of August to open up the conversation and get ready for an environmentally-friendly school year. Talk to your kids about the importance of recycling and how it can help our environment. Did you know that the average American family wastes about 150 pounds of paper per year? Teach your kids about where paper comes from and how recycling can help save the trees and forests. And instead of having our plastic containers making their way to the ocean, talk to them about how we can recycle plastic to make it into new things.

Here are a few other ways you can start talking all about how to reduce, reuse, and recycle …

Read up on It:  A great way to break down the basics of recycling is with a book. Spend some time this August reading a book about the topic — there are many you can choose from. After you’ve read it, talk about how you want to start recycling in your home and how it will help the environment. Here are a few books to help get you started…

• The Lorax (Dr. Seuss)
• Don’t Throw That Away!: A Lift-the-Flap Book about Recycling and Reusing
• Michael Recycle
• I Can Save the Earth!: One Little Monster Learns to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
• Fancy Nancy: Every Day Is Earth Day (I Can Read Book 1)
• We Are Very Extremely Good Recyclers (featuring the perennial favorites, Charlie and Lola)

Make Personalized Bins: Next, make recycling bins for paper, glass, and plastic. Let the kids decorate them however they’d like with images of what will go inside. This can be a great reminder and will help the little ones not get too overwhelmed. If you want, you can make a goal chart above each bin to try and see how much you’ve recycled in a week.

Make It a Game: Recycling can also be fun by repurposing it in your home. Try taking old water bottles and making them into a classic carnival game that the kids will have a blast playing. It’s a great way to show them that we don’t need to buy new toys when we can make them at home. This is also a great way to get the wheels in their head turning for new and creative options. You’ll be surprised at what they’ll come up with once they set their minds to it!

Create a Composting Area: Create a composting area in your home. Add vegetable and fruit scraps to the compost to be used in the garden. If your home is too small to accommodate a composting bin, research community gardens in the area that accept scraps for composting.

Visit a Recycling Center: Last, but certainly not least, take a family trip to the recycling center. You can use this recycling site to help you find a recycling center near you. Meet the people that work at the recycling center and learn about where all the recycled material goes. You can also find out if there are ways you can volunteer as a family at the recycling center.

Yep. Both those things are true! Here is the dirt behind those stories and others that are happening in the world of garbage this summer:

Boston Mayor Announces Last of Winter Snow Has Melted: Mayor Martin Walsh announced on Tuesday, July 14, that Boston’s once-massive pile of filthy snow had officially dwindled to nothing. The pile accumulated into a 75-foot tower after a record-breaking winter when more than 110 inches of snow fell on the city. The mound was laden with tons of garbage, transforming it into a repulsive trash heap as the snow melted. Wicked gross.

Online Shopping is Good for Your Wallet, Bad for the Environment?: New York Times writer Nick Bilton observes: “We’ve all had that moment with online shopping when you order a thumb drive and it shows up in a box big enough for a hot tub. Or when you try a new food delivery start-up and the box is filled with more plastic wrapping than nourishment. Or you purchase nonbreakable clothing that comes swaddled in enough packaging to keep an egg safe in an earthquake.It makes you wonder if the environmental cost of making life easier — online grocery shopping, dry cleaning and now errand running — is adding more unnecessary waste to the world.” In his Times article, Bilton explores the various ways online companies ship their wares, what the environmental impact is, and what’s changing. He concludes “In the same way we expect things to arrive on our doorstep in a timely fashion, we should have the social responsibility to expect those items not to show up in a plastic foam box with five frozen plastic bottles and a single lemon inside.”

Alaskan Cleanup of 2011 Japan Tsunami Debris Finally Underway: Alaska has finally been able to start cleaning up the debris believed to be from the 2011 tsunami that devastated Japan. The Associated Press noted: “A large-scale cleanup is getting underway in Alaska, with tons of marine debris — some of it most likely from the 2011 tsunami in Japan — set to be airlifted from rocky beaches and taken by barge for recycling and disposal in the Pacific Northwest…[cost estimates for] the project at up to $1.3 million, with the state contributing $900,000 from its share of the $5 million Japan provided for parts of the United States affected by tsunami debris. Crews in British Columbia will be able to add debris to the barge as it passes through, chipping in if they do. Mr. Pallister’s group has committed $100,000. Delays due to weather could drive up costs, which he said was a concern. The cost to operate the barge is $17,000 a day.” Not to mention the logistics of it all.

Zero Garbage for NYC? That’s What The Plan Is: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has put for the the bold statement that by 2030, none of the Big Apple’s garbage will be sent to out-of-state landfills, CNN reports. “The whole notion of a society based on constantly increasing waste and putting it on a train or a barge sending it someplace else and putting it in the ground is outrageous,” de Blasio said at a press conference on Earth Day. “And it’s outdated, and we’re not going to be a part of it.”  The plan includes expansion of residential recycling programs, composting programs, and tax incentives for compliance. Impossible? “I don’t blame anyone for being cynical — I represent 8.5 million jaded people,” said the mayor, responding to a question from a skeptical reporter. “But we’re 100% committed to achieving these goals.”

write essay