ArcaMax

When it comes to shopping "green," it's a good idea to look for products made from recycled materials. But when it comes to toilet paper, you may want to think twice about buying recycled. Recycled-content toilet paper is typically made of paper fibers from sources like old copy paper, junk mail and magazines that are shredded, pulped, de-inked ...Read more

Is your propane tank for your backyard grill no longer refillable or simply broken? Most refillable propane tanks last about seven years. When it's time for replacement, they are typically not accepted by normal trash haulers for recycling or landfill, but they are recyclable. Most household hazardous waste (HHW) collection sites (or HHW events ...Read more

When it comes to beer, is it better to go with canned or glass-packaged brews? The answer is aluminum. While both materials are easily recyclable, the likelihood that an aluminum can put into the recycling stream will actually get recycled is much higher than glass. And while it does take more energy to make cans, they are infinitely recyclable,...Read more

More than 20 billion paper catalogs are mailed every year in the United States. Many are unread and unrecycled, going straight from the mailbox to the trash can and on to the landfill. If there are some catalogs you enjoy receiving and browsing through, think digital instead. Many major retailers are now offering free downloadable versions of ...Read more

When you layer organic matter like dead leaves, grass clippings and vegetable waste in a compost heap, it "warms up" as the items degrade into beneficial mulch. In the cold winter months, anything warm is attractive for wild animals seeking shelter. If you are flipping the compost with a rake during and immediately after the cold winter months, ...Read more

Did you know more than 12 million tons of furniture is thrown out every year, and almost all of it ends up in landfills? Among the biggest items are sofas; there are things you can do to make sure your own sofa lasts (almost) a lifetime. First, keep your sofa away from the sun's rays, which can fade fabrics (also known as "sun-bleaching"). ...Read more

Washing your clothes in cold water does more than save energy and money on your utility bill: It also preserves your clothes. The fibers of your clothing last longer when they're washed in cold water; they actually deteriorate when washed in hot water. The only time you really need to wash in hot water is if you need to remove stubborn stains ...Read more

If you're lucky enough to fly somewhere and have the option of a meal on the plane as part of your travel, you can take steps to reduce food waste. If you get an upgrade to a premium class and you plan on sleeping during the flight, go to the airline's website to opt for "no food" so no meal will be prepared for you. This will help reduce food ...Read more

While many of us always ask for nonsmoking hotel rooms away from the elevators, have you thought about asking for a room far away from the hotel pool? Hotel rooms right above indoor and outdoor pools may sound convenient, but in reality these are the unhealthiest rooms in a hotel. On hot days, the pool's water evaporates and turns into chlorine ...Read more

Since marijuana is legal in many parts of the country, dog owners need to watch out for the butts from tossed joints, which can end up being accidentally consumed by your dog. THC poisoning is becoming more common for dogs, and they can become seriously sick. If you suspect your dog consumed some weed, be prepared to take them to the vet if they...Read more

The phrase "don't let the bedbugs bite" is reality for many people. One way to help curtail the risk of bedbugs at home is to add mattress cleaning to your monthly checklist of household tasks. To clean your bed, simply strip it to the bare mattress and generously sprinkle baking powder and kosher salt on top. The baking powder will deodorize ...Read more

Ginger root is fast becoming a kitchen staple for its healthy digestive properties, and it's a delicious addition in all types of cooking. If you find yourself with a leftover chunk of ginger root, don't toss it in the trash; instead, grow a ginger plant from it. Fill a small pot with organic potting mix and place the ginger root in the soil, ...Read more

Since most of us don't travel with a water testing kit, there are signs you can look for that will tell you if the H20 from the tap is more like H2-NO. The obvious one is odor. A rotten egg or sulfuric smell can mean there's bacteria in the water. Metallic-tasting water can mean there are metals present, such as mercury, copper, lead and even ...Read more

Those little stickers you find on the outside of bananas, apples, avocadoes and other produce are both a nuisance and a marvel. They help keep the massive supply chain of perishable foods in check, but they can be a pain. Unfortunately, the stickers are not compostable or biodegradable. They are considered the worst offender in contaminating ...Read more

Many of us have a junk drawer full of old USB flash drives that we're not sure what to do with. They are reusable, so you can wipe them clean and use them at home or to share files with others. But if you have a lot, you can recycle them and do something good, too. The website RecycleUSB.com accepts working USB flash drives and erases them, then...Read more

One way to help extend the life of food is to freeze perishables and leftovers so they can be defrosted later to be enjoyed. But how do you know if your freezer is actually cold enough to preserve food? Do the ice cream test: If a container of ice cream is soft when you take it out of the freezer, your freezer is too warm. Turn down the ...Read more

Traditional kitchen sponges are notorious for not lasting very long; they're also made from nonrenewable resources like plastic and other synthetic materials. They aren't recyclable, and over time, as they are used to wash dishes, they break down and shed microplastics into the water. When choosing kitchen cleaning aids, opt for greener ...Read more

Another item to always buy organic: raisins. Up to 26 pesticides have been found in independent studies on conventional grapes. Fresh grapes are often plucked and dried to make raisins, but it's up for debate how well-washed the grapes are before drying. And since grapes are thin-skinned, whatever is sprayed on them is often absorbed into the ...Read more

Another reason to avoid artificial fragrances: They can confuse bees. Bees are vital to the natural world for the important work they do to pollinate flowers. They are naturally attracted to the sweet scent from flowers, but they are also attracted to artificial scents found in body washes, perfumes, shampoo, air fresheners and scented candles. ...Read more

Do you enjoy oysters when you dine out? Take the shells home with you to give your garden a nutritional boost. Oyster shells are made from calcium carbonate, which is the same material found in chalk. It's incredibly high in calcium, and plants love it. You can mix the shells into the soil whole or crush them up and rake into your garden. The ...Read more