ArcaMax

Do you have a lot of trophies, plaques and medals collected over the years? Parents who have children who compete in sports often have a plethora of them and aren’t sure what to do with them when they are no longer appreciated. You can recycle them. AwardsMall.com has a trophy recycling service that retrofits donated trophies and rebuilds them...Read more

We all know that planting a tree is a simple act to help combat climate change. But not all trees have the same impact. Choosing a “broadleaved species” tree is the most efficient way to go, because the large leaves generate more photosynthesis. Species like oaks, beeches and maples are all good examples of this. The best time to plant trees...Read more

If your birthday is coming up, you already may be expecting to receive gifts from friends and family that you really don’t want. So take part in a new trend and “donate your birthday” instead! Throw a party and make it clear when you invite guests that you want no gifts; instead, your only request is that partygoers bring a check or cash ...Read more

Choosing a dishwasher over handwashing is always a better option for saving energy and water, and for sanitary reasons. And while the greenest option is to run a dishwasher only when it’s completely full, you might wonder if it’s OK to run it when it’s half-full. It depends. Check to see if your dishwasher has a “top rack only” ...Read more

"Take an aspirin and call me in the morning" is a phrase we’ve all heard, but have you ever given an aspirin to an ailing houseplant? Turns out it can do a lot of good for your plants. When plants are stressed, they create salicylic acid to help boost their immune system. The active ingredient in aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid, which is a ...Read more

If you’re a baker, there’s nothing worse than going to your pantry and finding flour that’s gone rancid. When you open bags of flour at home, transfer the contents into an airtight container, then skip the pantry and store the flour in the freezer instead. According to the Wheat Foods Council, flour can last indefinitely if frozen. If ...Read more

With the autumn chill in the air, you might want to buy heavier, warmer clothing. While fleece tops are soft and fuzzy, they can shed microplastics into the water every time you wash them. Instead, opt for natural fibers that are cozy and won't shed plastic, like cotton, linen, wool, silk and hemp. If you do have fleece tops, wash them in cold ...Read more

When you’re moving from your old home to a new one, it’s easy to get caught up in amassing a lot of single-use cardboard boxes, Bubble Wrap and packing supplies to transport your things. For a lighter carbon footprint, look for used sturdy boxes from a liquor or grocery store, use laundry baskets you already have, or see if you can borrow ...Read more

With nearly 10 million cut flowers sold every day, knowing where flowers are grown for your bouquets and arrangements is important. Most flowers come from faraway places like Africa, South America and Europe, where fields of colorful blooms are grown in monocultures that are far from eco-friendly. A new directory called Slow Flowers has over 850...Read more

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics says that just a small fraction -- 7.5% -- of commuters carpool to work. There are lots of reasons why carpooling is beneficial for the environment and your wallet. On average, drivers save $450 a year on gas by sharing a car. Carpooling also eliminates unnecessary wear and tear on your car. But the big ...Read more

Yes, your garbage cans and recycling bins need to be washed on a regular basis. Trash cans and bins can be loaded with illness-causing bacteria like salmonella, listeria and E. coli. When you come in contact with them while discarding of trash, these bacteria can transfer to you. Washing your containers also helps make them less attractive to ...Read more

When cuts and scrapes happen, it's important to cover the wound with a bandage to help it heal. But these bandages almost always are made from single-use plastic, and they contribute to the global plastic pollution crisis. Check your local store's shelves for new bandages made from bamboo fiber. They have a gauzelike feel and contain eco-...Read more

Bring one more thing the next time you visit the beach, to help remove microplastics: a fine-mesh strainer. Yes, the same kitchen strainer you use to sift flour or wash berries can be used to remove plastics. Just scoop dirty sand into the sifter and sift away. The sand will fall through the mesh and the plastics will be left behind. Removing ...Read more

Many of us are bringing along our own reusable bags now when we shop, but do you know which type of reusable bag is best for the environment? There are lots of choices out there, ranging from natural fibers to nylon and coated waterproof bags, but it turns out simple cotton bags are the best. They are strong, sturdy, machine washable and ...Read more

When hitting the road for a trip, it sometimes can feel like your dining options are limited to fast-food joints and rest stops along the way. But it’s possible to find local, sustainable and even organic food on your journey. The Eat Well Guide is an online tool that allows you to input two location points -- where your trip is starting and ...Read more

While we know filtered water is good for drinking, have you thought about it for your pet goldfish? Tap water can have high levels of chlorine and ammonia, which is often used in water treatment plants. This can affect the PH levels of the water, which affects the quality of living for fish. So using filtered water in fish tanks can go a long ...Read more

Do you thoroughly wash your toothbrush after you brush your teeth? You may want to think twice about diligently working to keep it clean. Toothpaste has some antibacterial properties, so leaving a little residue on the bristles can help prevent germs and bacteria from building up. Just give the brush a rinse under water before using, and don't ...Read more

Even though they are designed to last for a very long time, it happens: LED lightbulbs burn out and need to be replaced. The good news is that these energy-efficient bulbs are recyclable. About 95% of the bulb materials can be recycled easily, and the bulbs also lack any harmful chemicals commonly found in other bulbs like compact fluorescents. ...Read more

Picking up a vintage T-shirt rather than purchasing a new one is more than a fashion choice; it’s a huge ecological decision in the right direction. A simple cotton T-shirt requires 700 gallons of water to grow enough cotton to manufacture it. By opting for something already made (and cooler), you’re saving hundreds of gallons of water. ...Read more

We all know about the three R’s in sustainability -- reduce, reuse and recycle -- but you should also add "refuse" to the list. This relates to finding irresistible deals, like in the clearance section of a store. Sure, it’s a great price, but do you really, truly need the item? Or perhaps you're offered a free gift with purchase, and it’s...Read more