6/10/13

Ever buy a new TV, computer or piece of furniture and have it arrive packaged in layers of protective Styrofoam? The plastic foam can be difficult to recycle in most communities, so many people just throw it away. One program that accepts old plastic foam packaging and recycles it is from EPS Industry Alliance, an organization dedicated to making Styrofoam recycling easier and more accessible to Americans. Right now, there are about 200 drop-off locations in the U.S., and the list is growing. Find your closest location at epsindustry.org.

6/9/13

There are no added health benefits of buying organic spirits like tequila or vodka. In the distillation process, any trace pesticides are removed, and drinking spirits has never been considered good for you anyway. When it comes to wine, however, organic varieties do have some benefits, since vintners are unable to add additional preservatives like sulfites to ones labeled organic. There are naturally occurring sulfites in the winemaking process, but people with sulfite allergies may find organic wines are less likely to trigger allergic reactions.

6/8/13

The chemical bisphenol A (or BPA) has been used in plastics and as a coating inside tin cans for decades. A suspected endocrine disrupter, many plastic products today are 100 percent BPA-free due to outcries from the public. But did you know many tin cans -- like those for beans and soup -- are lined with BPA? Even certified organic food products are often packaged in the potentially carcinogenic containers. One way to avoid chemicals is to look for Tetra Pak-packaged goods. Tetra Pak containers are made of sturdy paperboard and are greener alternatives to tin cans. You can find soups, broths, tomato sauces and more at stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.