11/14/13

When smoke detectors need to be replaced, don’t toss the broken safety devices into the trash; recycle them. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the majority of smoke detectors in the U.S. contain a minute amount of a radioactive element called americium-241. It can take 432 years for the element to decompose safely in the ground. First Alert, the leading manufacturer of all types of detectors, will recycle its detectors free of charge. Mail the detector to 3920 Enterprise Ct., Aurora, Ill., 60504; mark the package, "For disposal only."

11/13/13

Did you know that paper envelopes with plastic windows are 100 percent recyclable? When waste paper is recycled, the recycling process at the factory takes out the plastic windows and the adhesives on the envelope before the paper is pulped. You can also recycle envelopes from FedEx and UPS that have the plastic sleeve on the front -- no need to remove the sleeve since it will be pulled off at the recycling plant. The one type of envelope you can’t recycle is the kind padded with bubble wrap. Reuse them instead!

11/12/13

Almost every airline allows people to donate unused frequent flier miles to charities so the organizations can use the miles to buy tickets for their work instead of using monetary funds. But Delta is one of the only airlines to support animal welfare and environmental and humanitarian organizations through its Delta Sky Wish program. With just a minimum of 1,000 miles to donate, you can give Delta SkyMiles to nonprofit organizations like the Nature Conservancy, the Humane Society of the United States, UNICEF and Habitat for Humanity. Learn more at delta.com.