2/10/13

While the cause of disappearing bee colonies is still unknown, we know how vital bees are in the pollination of flowers. One thing you can do to help is to set out inexpensive bee blocks, which are blocks of wood with holes drilled in various sizes. These provide shelter for bees and are like little wooden condominiums for them. To purchase, search online or visit masonbeehomes.com to see the selection.

2/9/13

Paper recycling is commonplace in many offices, schools and even in homes with curbside pickup. Items like magazines, phone books, envelopes and newspapers can often be mixed together and recycled into new paper products. But paper with staples in it cannot. That small metal staple in the corner mucks up paper recycling, since flecks of metal in recycled paper products poses a risk to the consumer. The solution? Remove the staple before adding paper to the recycling bin.

2/8/13

According to Waste Management, the scrap value of the 36 billion aluminum cans Americans throw away per year equals more than $600 million. It's important to recycle your soda and tin cans in your curbside recycling. But did you know you can also recycle aluminum foil, bakeware, wire coat hangers and empty aerosol cans, too? When in doubt, ask your local waste hauler what's acceptable.