11/29/12

If you are switching cellphone carriers, you may not need to buy a whole new phone. Many cellphone companies that are courting your business will activate a deactivated phone for you if you switch to their plans. This cuts back on the electronic waste piling up in our homes. The only way to know if your new carrier will do this is to bring in your old phone and ask.

11/28/12

Did you know that just because a package or container has the three-arrow symbol on it, it does not necessarily mean it's actually recyclable? Depending on what your trash hauler's recycling program accepts, many items -- particularly different grades of plastic -- are not actually accepted. Check your garbage or recycling collection website to find out exactly what it accepts, and put only those items in your curbside recycling. Mixing in items that are not accepted can actually contaminate a load of recyclables and send it straight to the landfill.

11/27/12

Did you know most water heaters are automatically set to 140 degrees when installed in homes? If you lower your default setting down to 120 degrees, it will still give you hot water and nobody in your family will even notice a difference. This one simple step can reduce your overall water heating costs by 6 to 10 percent over time and will save energy.