Did you know aluminum foil can be recycled in your curbside recycling bin? It's the same material as soda cans, and it can be recycled forever. When recycling aluminum foil, cleanliness is key. If bak... more
One of the biggest energy hogs at work or in your home office is your desktop computer. When buying a new computer, a laptop is more energy-efficient than a desktop. But for practicality, sometimes a ... more
If you buy only one fruit or vegetable organic, make sure it's this: apples. Year after year, the nonprofit Environmental Working Group has listed apples as the No. 1 most contaminated produce. Eighty... more
It may be sold in some health food stores, but be wary of burning incense sticks inside your home. Recent studies have shown that burning incense can be just as harmful to your health as smoking cigar... more
Do you know what the No. 1 most recycled product is? It's not what you might think: It's car batteries. Almost all of the car battery is recyclable. Sixty percent of it is lead, which can be recycled ... more
When cooking at home, be sure to use the healthiest type of cookware possible. New "eco-friendly" pots and pans may be marketed with green leaves and packaging material at the store, but the reality i... more
When shopping for a new sofa, be sure to look beyond just the style and size; inquire about what kind of fire retardants were used on the sofa. Many are made with polyurethane-based foam, which is a s... more
Love to drink a cup of delicious, hot black tea? Don't toss the used tea bags when you're done. There are myriad uses for the natural powers of tea for your kitchen. If you have stubborn, baked-on mes... more
When shopping for holiday gifts online, opt to have the packages sent to your office or place of work instead of your home. If you don't normally have packages sent to your house, it means delivery se... more
Can books be recycled? It all depends on the type of book, and if you're willing to take one extra step to make them recyclable. You can toss any paperback book in a paper recycling bin, since the who... more
When buying paint to give your home's walls a refresh, understand the difference between low-VOC and zero-VOC paints. Many national brands of paint will label their paint as "low-VOC" or low in volati... more
Not all canned tuna fish is the same. Most national brands of tuna use fishing methods called trawl, pure seine or long-line fishing, which is designed to get the maximum catch in the fastest time. Th... more
Do you have retailer loyalty cards or "reward" cards that you use for in-store discounts and to rack up points that you can use for freebies down the road? These reward programs are often in supermark... more
Carpeting is one of the top items sent to landfills every year. If you have wall-to-wall carpet that you want to replace because it looks old and faded, consider hiring someone to re-dye it instead. F... more
When giving gifts during the holiday season, it's nice to give gifts that give back and help make a difference for those in need or communities that need support. Fair trade products are items that pr... more
For your home Christmas tree, a live, balled tree is the greenest option, since it can be planted in the yard after the festivities are over. But many of us may not have the room to actually plant a t... more
Cooler temperatures may mean lighting a fire in the fireplace at home, but to burn the cleanest fire, always use dry wood. Firewood that has not been properly dried out -- or seasoned -- is called "gr... more
Have some old remote controls for your TV, VCR, DVD player or stereo in your junk drawer? Not only can you recycle them, you can also raise money for charity. The website donateyourremote.com repairs ... more
The sugar substitute xylitol is commonly found in things like sugar-free mints, gum, chewable vitamins and even in some kinds of peanut butter and toothpaste. While it may have fewer calories than rea... more
Do you have a collection of comic books that you'd like to see go to a worthy and wonderful cause? The nonprofit Comics4Kids accepts comic books and distributes them to children in hospitals, kids in ... more
Any serious baker can back up this fact: Don't open the oven door when cooking at home. When you get your oven preheated to the temperature you need, place whatever you're roasting or baking inside, a... more
When it's cold outside, there are easy ways to fully maximize the efficiency of your home's heating system. One of the best things you can do is to raise the temperature on your thermostat slowly, all... more
It takes about five years of driving a hybrid for the savings to catch up to the extra cost of the fuel-efficient car. One quick way to start seeing real savings really fast is to buy a used hybrid. W... more
According to the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program, a programmable thermostat can save the average homeowner about $180 a year in energy costs. But the key thing is that you use th... more
Twenty-five percent of your home's heat can escape through cracks, crevices and leaks in and around windows and doors. One of the biggest culprits? In-window air conditioning units. Now is a good time... more
You've heard of the idea of building a better mousetrap, right? Well, sometimes trapping these small creatures isn't humane, so why not repel them from your home? In lieu of poison, try to figure out ... more
Did you know there's a right way to water houseplants? First, don't overwater; just stick your finger about 1 inch down in the soil. If it's very dry, the plant needs water. Then determine what type o... more
In the winter months, your backyard decor and products may be hidden under layers of snow, but they can be deathtraps to wildlife. Items like garden hoses, tomato cages, hammocks, stakes, volleyball n... more
Do you still send out printed cards for the holidays? Instead of buying them from a store, why not support environmental charities at the same time? Environmental, humane and humanitarian organization... more
As you're raking leaves and getting your garden ready for winter, think about leaving dead flowers and plants intact. Dead stalks and seedheads may look unattractive, but they can be a much-needed sou... more