01/06/12

Next time you order a soy cappuccino with extra foam and a shot of mocha at Starbucks, be sure to add the words "in a ceramic cup" to the end of your order. If you're planning to hang out at the coffee shop on your next visit, ask for a to-stay cup instead of a disposable one. The same goes for any pastry treat; they'll gladly serve it to you on a ceramic plate instead of placing it inside a throwaway paper bag. When you're done, just return it to the counter and it'll get washed and reused.

01/05/12

During the holiday season, many of us receive gift baskets and floral arrangements from local florists as presents. What to do when the flowers whither and the treats are gone? If you don't have a use for the vase or basket, you can return it to the florist, who can reuse it for another gift so nothing goes to waste.

01/04/12

Did you know that corrugated cardboard and newspaper are compostable but magazines are not? Wood pulp products that are not processed with colorful inks can be safely and easily added to your compost bin. Just tear them up into small pieces and water well -- they'll degrade quickly and turn into beneficial carbon for your compost. Of course, if you have a curbside recycling program that takes these items, choose that first.