ArcaMax

When ordering floral arrangements, there are some simple steps you can take to lessen your carbon footprint. Since imported blooms are often flown thousands of miles or grown in energy-intensive heated greenhouses, look for flowers that naturally thrive in your region and season. In spring, opt for tulips, daffodils, snapdragons and lilacs. ...Read more

Sadly, it's not uncommon to see a landscaping sprinkler system running at full power during a rainstorm. However, it's not the mark of a wasteful homeowner; it's because the sprinkler system is on an automatic timer. To fix this problem (and save water and money), have a rain sensor added to your sprinkler system. The sensor determines whether ...Read more

Here are a few reasons from the animal kingdom to avoid setting off fireworks for special events. In addition to making companion animals like dogs anxious and causing panic attacks, they can affect other types of wildlife as well. Bees get disoriented by the loud noise of fireworks and can't make it back to their hives. This often causes them ...Read more

To help with cleanup and extend the life of your bakeware, consider silicone liners. Silicone bakeware and liners that go on top of existing metal bakeware are naturally nonstick, and they're safe -- they do not leach any harmful chemicals into your food when you use them. They are a breeze to clean, and they also allow you to bake, roast and ...Read more

A few simple habits can make your backyard barbecue more energy-efficient. Keep the grill lid closed whenever possible to trap heat inside -- every time you lift the lid, valuable heat escapes, causing your grill to burn more fuel. Maximize that heat by batch-cooking several items at once, reducing overall cooking time and fuel consumption. And ...Read more

Don't toss broken or outdated wired headphones in the trash. While they don't contain lithium-ion batteries like wireless earbuds (e.g. AirPods), they still include copper wiring and plastic components that can be recycled through specialized e-waste recycling programs. Major retailers like Best Buy and Staples accept wired headphones for free. ...Read more

Empty spray sunscreen cans are recyclable, but there's a hitch: Make sure it's truly empty so it can be recycled. Press the nozzle until all of the product and propellant have been released -- you should no longer hear any hissing or spraying sounds. Never puncture, crush or try to manually vent the can. Once it's empty, remove the plastic cap ...Read more

It may sound like a problem for "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," but if you do one thing to help our oceans, consider passing on eating caviar. Caviar varietals like beluga and wild-caught sturgeon are species that are often overfished. Caviar is a product of fish that can take many years to mature -- and when they do, their eggs are ...Read more

When possible, choose paper products that are made domestically. While recycled paper has benefits, paper manufactured closer to home often has a smaller carbon footprint because it avoids the emissions associated with long-distance shipping (where most recycled products are made in other countries). Domestic paper mills are also subject to ...Read more

Before buying something new, check a resale site first. Shopping secondhand helps extend the life of perfectly good products, reduces demand for new manufacturing and keeps usable items out of landfills. Just keep one thing in mind: The biggest environmental benefit comes when a pre-owned purchase replaces something you would have bought new, ...Read more

Here's how to have a green wedding. Skip paper waste by sending digital invitations and managing RSVPs online, or choose recycled or plantable seed-paper stationery if you prefer a printed touch. Rent reusable decor, linens, dishes and glassware instead of buying disposable items, and source local, in-season flowers -- or opt for potted plants ...Read more

Booking a morning flight can be a more climate-friendly choice. The reason comes down to contrails -- the streaks of condensation aircraft leave behind in the sky. During daylight hours, contrails can reflect some of the sun's energy back into space, helping to offset a portion of aviation's warming impact. At night, however, contrails act more ...Read more

If you enjoy sparkling water, an at-home carbonator is one of the most sustainable options available. By carbonating your tap water, you eliminate the need to manufacture, package and transport heavy bottles. Studies show that a home carbonation system can offset its environmental footprint after just a few dozen uses, making it a smart choice ...Read more

Before you hit record, consider whether a photo might tell the story just as well. Video-heavy social platforms require enormous amounts of data storage and streaming power, which translates into a significant carbon footprint. Short videos can be fun and engaging, but a single photo post uses far less data and energy to upload, store and view. ...Read more

When possible, pay with a digital wallet on your smartphone instead of relying on a physical credit card. Digital payment systems use hardware you already own, helping reduce the demand for the billions of plastic cards manufactured each year from PVC, metals and electronic components. As an added eco bonus, digital wallets often make it easier ...Read more

It seems harmless: You take a multivitamin, so why not toss one into your dog's breakfast to give him all the added benefits? But the reality is that a human's multivitamin is not made for animals, and, in fact, some of the percentages of vitamins in our supplements can be toxic to pets. Additionally, chewable vitamins often contain sweeteners ...Read more

You have an old car; a charity wants it, will pick it up for free and sell it to support its good works. Seems like a win-win situation, right? Unfortunately, many nonprofits that have car donation programs are operated by for-profit towing companies. The towing companies pick up the car and sell it to dealers or as scrap metal, then give a tiny...Read more

Before wearing or packing away your boots, take a few minutes to clean off any mud and dirt. Soil can harbor bacteria, animal waste, pesticides and other contaminants that you may not want tracked into your home, car or luggage. If you're traveling internationally, clean boots are even more important. Many countries, including Australia, New ...Read more

Skip the dryer and let your clothes air-dry whenever possible. Air-drying can reduce the energy used for laundry by as much as 75%. To keep garments looking their best, turn clothes inside out if they're hanging outdoors to prevent fading. Lay sweaters and other knits flat on a drying rack to help them keep their shape. If towels or jeans feel a...Read more

Bringing your own ceramic mug for coffee or tea is a smart sustainability move, but it works best when you use it often. Because ceramic mugs require significant energy to manufacture, most need to be used at least 20 to 100 times to offset their production footprint compared to disposable paper cups. When you factor in the hot water and energy ...Read more