ArcaMax

A recent study by the Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health found that dry-erase markers commonly used in classrooms have toxic emissions that are "400 times higher than highlighters and washable markers." If you use these markers at home or in a classroom setting, there's a greener and easier alternative: jumbo-sized crayons. ...Read more

If you're trying to avoid GMO (genetically modified organisms) when shopping at the supermarket, keep in mind almost all fresh produce is considered non-GMO. But there are exceptions to this GMO-free/fresh produce rule. There are five produce items that could be grown from GMO seed: corn, Hawaiian papaya, soybeans, zucchini and yellow summer ...Read more

If you want a beanbag chair in your home, expandable polystyrene fill is not a very eco-friendly choice. It's the most common fill used for beanbag-style chairs, but it's not recyclable or biodegradable. Instead, buy an unfilled beanbag chair and fill it yourself. You can choose to fill it with things like dried beans, dried corn or buckwheat ...Read more

Myth busted: Uncooked rice doesn't kill birds. There's a mistaken belief that when birds eat uncooked rice, it swells in their body and eventually kills them. The truth is, the rice needs to be cooked to swell, and it simply doesn't get hot enough to swell inside a bird's body. So, if you're planning a wedding and would like the patrons to throw...Read more

Did you know that clothing hangers -- plastic, flocked and wooden -- are nearly impossible to recycle? It's because the plastic ones are made with mixed materials, and the wooden ones are coated and treated. If you find yourself with an excess of hangers, ask a local thrift store like a Salvation Army or Goodwill if they have a need for them. If...Read more

You might think that leaving your dog's waste to naturally decompose is better than bagging it up, but you're wrong. Just like human waste, pet waste is a pollutant that can cause serious environmental damage. The Environmental Protection Agency says that "just 2 to 3 days of droppings from 100 dogs can contribute enough bacteria, nitrogen and ...Read more

When your television breaks, it's tempting to simply put it in the box your new TV comes in and leave it on the curb to be picked up as trash. But the reality is TVs -- including old tube-style, LED, LCD, OLED, etc. -- have hazardous waste like mercury, lead, nickel and cadmium inside that can leak into the ground. Plus, when TVs are crushed in ...Read more

When it comes to a lush lawn, consider clover seed rather than grass. It's a hardy plant that is disease-resistant and grows densely, which minimizes weeds. Clover is also tolerant of heavy foot traffic, and if you have dogs, it can handle their bathroom breaks without any discoloration. Clover renews and reseeds itself over time, and it also ...Read more

We all know planting a tree is an easy step to help fight climate change and add beauty to your home. But choosing the right tree is just as important as planting one. Many people love the look of a maple tree, but be sure to get the right variety. Norway maples have beautiful fall colors, but they produce a plethora of seeds that can litter the...Read more

A staggering 80 billion pounds of food is wasted in the United States, which equals about 30% of the overall food supply. That means almost one-third of all food is simply thrown away from supermarkets, restaurants and at home. One way to help is to use the Too Good To Go app, which helps restaurants sell unsold food at a steep discount to ...Read more

If you love to send flowers, going with a local florist near where the recipient lives is the most sustainable option. While there are plenty of online flower companies, they require flowers to be packed and shipped overnight, which uses gas-guzzling planes and trucks. Going with a local florist instead means the arrangements travel a short ...Read more

A recent study by The Giving Report found that social media was the best way to raise money for a charity. First-time donors are more likely to find charities and nonprofits to support in this way, and postings on Facebook and Instagram drive 57% of the total traffic to a charity's campaign pages. If you want to raise money for your favorite ...Read more

Turns out the easiest method to make coffee at home is the greenest, too. If you're only making a cup of coffee for yourself, using instant instead of grinding and brewing your own java has the lowest amount of carbon emissions. In fact, it's one-third of the emissions versus making whole-bean coffee. The trick is to use instant coffee packaged ...Read more

Flat, warm and stale beer should never be tossed down the drain. Just add unwanted beer to a bucket and place it on the ground outdoors. Mosquitoes are attracted to beer and they'll drown in the bucket. Also, if you have wooden outdoor furniture, use beer to bring dull wood back to life. Just pour it on and rub with a clean cloth. Finally, the ...Read more

Yes, it's possible to buy local online, too. When shopping on community websites like Etsy, be careful not to buy things from sellers that are far away from you. The shipping charges and emissions to ship that handmade object can be considerable. Instead, use filters that let you shop by location, so you can narrow down your field ranging from ...Read more

Want to save money on your next desktop or laptop computer? Look for refurbished models available directly from the manufacturer. At Apple, models that were demonstration units or returned under their return and refund policy are completely refurbished using new parts, thoroughly cleaned, given upgraded software and repackaged with new ...Read more

While taking off for a tropical island for a last-minute getaway or grabbing a cheap ticket to spend the weekend across the country sounds exciting, long-distance travel is a nightmare in greenhouse gas emissions. Have you really discovered everything you can do right in your own state? You might be surprised at how many parks, hiking trails, ...Read more

When you're planning a road trip, wouldn't you like to be as fuel-efficient as possible? Uphill drives burn more fuel, so it make sense to find the flattest route to get from Point A to Point B. While the website FlattestRoute.com is targeted to cyclists, it can also help motorists avoid mountains when driving. Just enter your starting point and...Read more

If you're planning a trip and the final destination is less than 500 miles away, the greenest way to get there is by car. Mile for mile, flying by plane is far worse, considering the greenhouse gases, soot particles and other contaminants planes emit when in flight. Driving a car is especially better if you have a hybrid or electric car, and it'...Read more

Did you know root vegetables are among the most sustainable vegetables you should incorporate into your diet? A study by the Journal of Cleaner Production found carrots, potatoes and onions to be among the lowest greenhouse gas-emitting crops of all fruits and vegetables. In addition to the health benefits, root vegetables also last a long time,...Read more