11/28/13

If you use disposable coffee filters to make your morning cup of joe, look for two things in the supermarket aisle to help you make the greenest choice. First, choose natural, undyed brown filters over bleached white ones; the white filters make no difference in quality of the coffee and are whitened using chlorine bleach or other chemical whitening methods. Second, instead of paper coffee filters, which come from trees, look for filters that use bamboo fiber. It has the feel, look and same effect as paper, but it comes from a fast-growing renewable resource that does not have any deforesting effect. But the greenest choice is a reusable filter. Consider investing in one to save money and time and to reduce waste.

11/27/13

Do you know the difference between how to properly dispose of rechargeable batteries and alkaline batteries? Rechargeable batteries can be recharged up to 1,000 times, which make them an eco-friendly option for electronics like smartphones and cordless drills. But they contain toxic chemicals, like mercury and lead, and should not be thrown away in the household trash. You can recycle rechargeable batteries for free at stores like Lowe’s, Home Depot and Target. Alkaline batteries, on the other hand, can be thrown away in the trash: Companies like Duracell and Energizer have eliminated the mercury in the batteries, and they pose no risk in landfills. These batteries are impossible to recycle, so toss them into the trash when you need to dispose of them.

11/26/13

Fall is a great time to plant trees, shrubs and even some types of perennials, especially since garden centers usually have great deals on their outdoor plants. The usual problems with insect infestations on new plants are virtually nonexistent in the fall, and weather is more predictable. There is no need to fertilize your new plants, since fertilizer encourages new growth and the goal is for the plant to go dormant. And here’s another reason to plant in the fall: Lowe’s Home Improvement guarantees your outdoor plants will live for a year. So, save your receipt in case one or two plants don’t make it after a cold winter. The store will replace your dead plant free of charge.