Photograph by Dan Brandenburg

Q. Is there such a thing as a green airline? I realize that airline travel is earth-unfriendly, but sometimes it's really the best - or only - option. —Frank P.

A. Most airlines have programs to increase fuel efficiency—escalating oil prices are pummeling their bottom lines. We’re talking billions here, not millions. Measures include adding winglets to aircraft to reduce fuel burn and emissions; flying optimal routes, altitudes, and speeds; eliminating excess weight onboard; and using electric vehicles for ground-crew operations. European and Asian airlines often have more advanced green programs than their American counterparts (but this is changing thanks to rising oil prices and savvy consumers like yourself).

British Airways stands out as a leader on several fronts, including advocating an emissions trading scheme in the industry and establishing carbon offsetting and sustainable-tourism initiatives. Stateside, JetBlue wins my vote for being the greenest airline because of its newer, more fuel-efficient fleet and its in-flight recycling and waste-management programs. Kudos also go to American Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and several more for their in-flight recycling programs.

Here are some tips to keep your air travel as green as possible:

• Opt for direct flights instead of multiple stops—take-offs and landings are a major source of CO2 emissions.
• Choose an airline with fewer delays while the plane waits for a gate upon arrival, if possible. Planes burn excess fuel while waiting.
• Become a frequent flyer on an airline with a newer, more fuel-efficient fleet such as JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, or Virgin Atlantic.
• Consider purchasing carbon offset credits for the miles you fly.

Q. We are planning to recarpet our home. Do you have any tips for purchasing less toxic, more eco-friendly carpeting? —Maura Eisen

A. Your healthiest, most earth-friendly choice is to use natural-fiber (such as wool) area rugs that you can shake out or wash when needed. If you insist on wall-to-wall carpeting, opt for natural-fiber carpet with felt backing or solution-dyed carpeting that's low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Veer away from stain-resistant or moth-proofing treatments, which only add to the toxins present in the fibers. (Be prepared for carpeting salespeople who will dismiss your concerns as silly or outdated.) Ask the installer to roll out and air out the materials in a warehouse before installation. Also, request that they use low-VOC padding and adhesives (or nail strips instead of glue). Make sure to donate or recycle your old carpeting to help reduce the billions of pounds of old carpets that are dumped into landfills every year.

Q. Can you recommend any sources that list earth-friendly job openings? —Amy Jones

A. There are several online sources dedicated to connecting job-seekers with earth-friendly or socially responsible jobs. Some list a broad array of employers that are considered socially responsible, such as Care2 JobFinder or Sustainable Business.com’s Green Dream Jobs, while others stick to a stricter definition of “environmental jobs,” listing primarily policy, engineering, and scientific jobs. If you are a college student or a recent grad, an excellent resource is The Environmental Careers Organization, or ECO, a nonprofit organization that helps build careers in the environmental field through hands-on, paid internships. Other resources are the Environmental Career Center, GreenBiz.com, and OrionOnline.

According to a 2004 study by ECO, the environmental sector is seeing a surge in jobs, so it’s a good time to start the search.

Q. I play a good deal of tennis. It's always bothered me that I use the balls once or twice and then throw them out. Is it possible to recycle tennis balls? —Michael Miller

A. I am unaware of any tennis-ball recycling programs (you’d think they could use them to make athletic fields like Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program does. However, there are plenty of outlets for reused tennis balls.

• Donate old balls to a local animal shelter or humane society as toys for those lovable pound puppies and dogs.
• Call local senior centers or assisted-living facilities to see if they accept donations. Tennis balls are excellent skid stoppers on the legs of walkers.
• Inquire at local schools to see if they need them for muffling squeaky desk legs in classrooms.
• Give them to the kids goofing around on the adjacent court. Your flat ball may be their great score.

If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, there are two organizations that accept used tennis balls: SCRAP (for art supplies) and Books for the Barrios (to supply needy schools in the Philippines).

Q. Do you have a suggestion on what to do with old lightbulbs that still work once I've replaced them with compact fluorescent (CF) bulbs? —Natalie Friton

A. This is an excellent question, and though it may go against every grain of your eco-consciousness, incandescent bulbs should be tossed out with regular household trash. Unlike CF bulbs, incandescents contain no mercury and are not accepted by most household hazardous waste programs. I checked with several recycling programs, and they all gave me the same advice. However, it’s always worth checking with your local program in case they’ve come up with some creative solution I’ve missed. Visit LampRecycle.org to find out more about recycling mercury-containing bulbs, including fluorescents.

Q. I think recycling should be mandatory by now in all states. I write to my congresspeople but only receive form-letter replies. What else can I do? —realdealava

A. Since all politics are local, I’d suggest starting in your own neighborhood. Consult this list of recycling advocacy groups listed by state. If recycling is not available where you live, campaign for it. Urge your place of employment to minimize waste, including implementing a companywide recycling program, and to buy products made from post-consumer recycled materials (a critical link in the recycle cycle). If you want to be part of a larger movement, check out Grassroots Recycling Network or Earth911. Also, mark your calendar—November 15 is America Recycles Day.