ArcaMax

Adding music to an Instagram post may seem small, but it quietly increases your digital footprint. A silent photo might be just a few megabytes, but adding music can multiply the file size, which means more data is uploaded, stored and streamed to every viewer. That extra data transfer requires energy; data centers use roughly 1–2 kWh of ...Read more

Floral foam, often called "oasis," is a single-use plastic that does not biodegrade and can shed harmful microplastics into waterways. For a more sustainable approach, try reusable tools like metal flower frogs, which anchor stems securely without waste. You can also create natural structure by twisting branches or using sturdy stems inside a ...Read more

Smart planning can lead to significant water and time savings when caring for your flowers. National Geographic recommends "companion planting" -- grouping certain plants together to help them mutually grow. When taller, sun-loving plants are planted in the back, with shorter, shade-loving plants in front, they help each other thrive. The taller...Read more

Resealing a macadam driveway is a smart way to protect a pricey investment, but be sure to ask that the sealants used are free of coal tar. Coal tar is a common ingredient found in many asphalt sealing products; it's also a suspected carcinogen linked to cancer. DIYers will be glad to know that stores like Home Depot and Lowe's have banned coal ...Read more

When choosing window blinds, aluminum is a smarter, more sustainable option than plastic, PVC or fabric. Aluminum is one of the most recyclable materials available -- it can be recycled repeatedly without losing quality, which means old blinds are far less likely to end up in landfills. In contrast, PVC and many plastics are difficult to recycle...Read more

When it's time to get your backyard vegetable garden going, consider giving young transplants a gentle nutritional boost. One creative option is to save expired multivitamins and use them to enrich the soil. When planting something like a bell pepper, drop a vitamin into the hole before adding the plant; over time, it will break down and release...Read more

When investing in fine jewelry, it's worthwhile to consider the environmental impact behind the sparkle. Mining new gold is a highly destructive and unsustainable process, requiring extensive drilling and blasting to extract even the smallest amounts. In response, a growing number of forward-thinking designers are turning to recycled gold—...Read more

If you have energy-saving solar-powered outdoor lights in your garden that don't illuminate for as long as they used to, it may be time to check the batteries. Solar-powered lights use rechargeable batteries that charge during the day, using the sun's light as an energy source. The lights then switch on their integrated LED bulbs at night, using...Read more

Even though vegetable oil comes from plants, it should never be poured directly into the ground or garden soil. Once used, it breaks down and can coat soil particles, blocking water and air from reaching plant roots. It can also attract pests and create unpleasant odors as it degrades. Over time, it may contaminate surrounding soil and ...Read more

If you receive dry ice with frozen food deliveries, you can reuse it to help pop out small, shallow dents in your car. Wearing thick gloves, gently rub the dry ice over the dent for 30–60 seconds; the rapid cooling can cause the metal to contract and sometimes snap back into place. This trick works best on minor dents where the paint isn't ...Read more

When you upgrade your cellphone, a new model often requires a completely different charger. If your old charger becomes obsolete, here are a few smart ways to handle it. First, keep it on hand in case guests visit and need that type of charger. Second, many retailers, including Best Buy and Staples, accept old chargers for free recycling. Lastly...Read more

While they don't have to be sparkling clean, it's important that the glass containers you put in your recycling bin are reasonably clean. This often means using running water and scouring the last bits of food out of a jar. Here's a win-win: Use the remaining space in your dishwasher to get them clean. Since a dishwasher is the most energy- and ...Read more

Bees play a vital role in our ecosystem because they pollinate flowers and food crops -- in fact, about one out of every three bites of food we eat depends on pollinators like bees. Still, having bees hover around when you're outdoors can be inconvenient. Instead of reaching for harsh insect-killing sprays, you can try a gentler, bee-deterring ...Read more

Do you have a container of old glue that has dried out and hardened? It may be useless to you, but depending on its chemical composition, it could spell trouble if thrown into the trash. Even in a hardened state, solvent-based glues are very flammable and should never be tossed in the trash. Instead, dispose of them with your household hazardous...Read more

Witch hazel is a natural astringent distilled from the flowers of a shrub native to North America. It's often used to soothe acne-prone or inflamed skin because of its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, witch hazel has natural antimicrobial, antibacterial and antifungal qualities. Pour it into a small spray bottle and you've got...Read more

It's wonderful to experience the beauty of another country on foot, but your hiking boots could be a source of contamination by bringing foreign species into the United States. When you've traveled abroad, be sure to have your boots cleaned before you head to the airport, especially boots with deep treads, which can be filled with contaminated ...Read more

Hydrogen peroxide is a common first-aid antiseptic because it helps oxidize and break down bacteria and debris in minor cuts and scrapes. It then decomposes into water and oxygen, leaving no harmful residue behind when used appropriately. Beyond the medicine cabinet, it's also a useful household cleaner. You can help disinfect cutting boards by ...Read more

If you think you have mold, don't reach for chlorine bleach. Yes, bleach will kill virtually every kind of mold it comes in contact with, but it only works on nonporous materials like ceramic tile and glass. It does not penetrate materials like drywall and wood, where most mold issues really lie. An alternative is to use nontoxic borax to kill ...Read more

Memory foam mattresses and toppers are made from petroleum-based polyurethane foam, but they are not simply "melted down" like recyclable plastics; because the material is a thermoset, recycling requires breaking it down mechanically rather than melting it. The good news is that they are still widely recyclable in practice, and the foam can be ...Read more

If your garlic press is sitting unused in a drawer, it's time to put it to work beyond garlic. It can also crush dried herbs and spices to create your own custom blends at home. Add whole spices like black pepper, cumin, coriander -- whatever combination you like -- then press them through for a fresh, coarse mix. Once you land on a blend you ...Read more