3/24/11

Many car service centers that change motor oil and rotate tires are starting to recognize the fact that not all drivers are the same. One, Jiffy Lube, now asks drivers a series of questions to see how often and how aggressively they normally drive to determine the best mileage/date to come back for an oil change. For many people who don't commute long distances daily, this can mean less frequent oil changes saving resources and money.

3/23/11

Lots of items are often thrown away at restaurants that you can ask them to save for recycling. Ask them to collect barely used crayons that kids are often given to draw with at the table; you can melt all of the crayons down in metal tins to make new swirly ones at home. See if the bar will throw old wine corks into a box for you over a busy weekend, which you can clamp together with a hose clamp to make a trivet. Even wax from burnt-out candles can be saved and melted down to make new ones.

3/22/11

If you're planning to grow fruits and vegetables from seeds, now is a good time to get them germinated and ready for the garden. One easy upcycling idea is to reuse yogurt cups with clear plastic lids on top to start seeds. The clear lids will mimic a greenhouse environment for the seedlings, helping them get a jump-start on germination, growth, and eventually a healthy root system. When the seedlings are too large to thrive under the lid, simply remove it to allow them to continue their growth.