6/11/13

Simple repairs to major kitchen appliances can save you money, extend the life of expensive equipment and reduce waste in landfills. But sometimes it's better to replace the items for safety reasons. A microwave oven is staple in most kitchens because it's a fast and energy-efficient way to heat up food. But if yours is more than 10 years old, radiation can leak from worn-out gaskets around the door. Replace your microwave and be sure to recycle it.

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.