11/4/2012

Here is one more reason to say "no receipt" the next time you buy something: Cash register receipts are loaded with the chemical BPA, which changes the color of the receipt when it's exposed to heat. Instead of installing ink cartridges into registers, this chemical allows stores to print receipts by heating it to transfer the information to the paper. Since many paper receipts end up in our waste recycling stream, it gets made into products like paper napkins, toilet paper and food packaging, which can be a method of transferring the chemical into our bodies. The problem? BPA is linked as a possible endocrine disrupter in human beings, and studies show it can have effects on our reproductive development and other neurological functions. The best solution is to avoid taking receipts whenever possible and to never recycle them with your regular paper recycling.

11/3/12

Doing some home improvement work this weekend? When painting walls, make sure you buy just enough paint. Go to popular home improvement store websites, and search for "paint calculator." Type in the dimensions of your room, and the program will compute exactly how much paint you need to buy. No more overbuying means a lot less waste.

11/2/12

Here's a time-tested tip, and a good one worth repeating: Don't drink your morning coffee from a disposable coffee cup. Americans toss about 25 billion Styrofoam and paper disposable cups away every year. Not only are those cups almost impossible to recycle and nonbiodegradable, they contain chemicals like BPA and styrene that have been linked to significant health problems. Make the pledge to buy a reusable BPA-free thermos and fill it up in the morning instead. It will keep your hot beverage hot longer, and you won't be tossing anything away.