7/2/12

If you're like me, you love getting your news from printed newspapers every morning. You can recycle old newspapers in regular curbside recycling bins, but you can donate them, too. Animal shelters are always in need of newspapers to use as bedding for adoptable pets. And thrift stores like Goodwill and the Salvation Army accept newspapers to use to wrap fragile items.

7/1/12

The next time you’re shopping for taper candles, look for a material called stearin wax. In the past, stearin wax was derived from beef, and was not vegetarian-friendly, but today it comes from all-natural, plant-based renewable sources. The stearin wax looks like traditional white paraffin candles, but it burns cleanly, slowly and is an affordable eco-friendly choice. Megastores like IKEA are a good place to score these green candles.

6/30/12

Save all your champagne and wine corks for the next time you want to start a roaring fire. Real corks are good for the environment since they’re made from the outside layer of the cork tree, which doesn’t harm the tree and protects forests from deforestation. Just soak the corks in a jar of rubbing alcohol and toss them into the fireplace, fire pit or barbecue to get the fire going. Add a little newspaper and some twigs or logs, and, in no time, you’ll be roasting marshmallows.