2/20/13

The most commonly recycled plastics are those marked with No. 1 and No. 2 on the bottom, like milk and detergent jugs and soda bottles. But denser plastics -- often used in yogurt containers, deodorant cases and water filters -- are made from harder-to-recycle No. 5 plastic. One company, Preserve, is trying to make it easier to recycle No. 5 plastics with free recycling bins all over the country. The items are collected and recycled into new products, like kitchenware, razors and toothbrush handles. Find bins near you and learn more at mygimme5.com/Recycling.

2/19/13

When shipping items from home or at a pack-and-ship store, what's the greenest thing to keep in mind? It's not the materials used to pack the goods, but how much they weigh. Choosing everything from the proper size box to the lightest bubble wrap can make a big difference in keeping costs down and fuel usage as low as possible. Oversized boxes and heavy paper filler can dramatically increase shipping costs and add to the amount of fuel used by planes and trucks to transport your goods. And remember to reuse boxes and packing material as an added way to go green.

2/18/13

Last time you forgot your smartphone charger when packing for a trip, did you run out and buy a brand new one? The next time that happens, try your hotel's lost and found to score one for free. Ask the front desk if any chargers have been left behind that you can borrow. They are the most commonly forgotten item at hotels, and they are also the least often reclaimed by guests. In most cases, hotels will let you keep the charger, since the window of 30 days has passed on many of them.