01/19/12

All of those cardboard boxes your holiday gifts came in can either be saved and reused or recycled. Just be sure to remove any plastic windows on the boxes before dropping them off at your recycling center. Those windows can be peeled off from the inside of the box and tossed in the trash. The plastic film mucks up the recycling process and makes the whole load of recyclable cardboard useless.

01/18/12

We all try to do small things to help the environment, but did you know your good deeds can also be rewarded? At the free website www.recyclebank.com, members earn rewards for saving the earth. Just pledge to use less energy, learn how to increase your green activities or recycle more to earn points that you can redeem for grocery store coupons. Download money-saving coupons like $2 off any Kashi product, $1 off any Kiss my Face product or 15 percent off your order at Uncommon Goods, and get shopping!

01/17/12

When shopping at a consignment store, high-end, designer clothes can be purchased for a fraction of their original price. Another bonus? Buying secondhand clothes at thrift stores or consignment shops isn't just good on the wallet, it is also significantly more efficient than buying new. The amount of energy used to make new clothes is much lower than the energy used to resell them. One tip: When you find tailored pieces, like pants or jackets, that fit you perfectly, ask the store to hold items from that seller. The next time he or she brings in clothes, they should fit well, too.