12/31/13

One of the greenest ways to ship packages and send mail is to use the United States Postal Service. With more than 200,000 vehicles on the road -- 25 percent of which are alternative fuel-powered, making it one of the greenest and leanest delivery systems in the country. But in many parts of the country, the USPS incorporates an even greener approach: walking. Thousands of postal workers hand deliver mail in cities and communities all over the country, making it a truly carbon neutral choice.

12/30/13

Many people install a chimney cap on the top of their fireplace as a means to prevent wild animals like squirrels and birds from accidentally coming into your home, but they also have other benefits worth the investment: When it rains, a chimney cap is also useful in preventing water from getting inside your home. Over time, a little water can cause a lot of damage to the walls and ceiling of your house. These easy-to-install caps block downdrafts into the chimney, which keeps your home warmer and more energy-efficient in the winter months.

12/29/13

Have lots of little bars of hotel soap at home and not sure what to do with them? If you have lots of soap, there’s a good chance your neighbors, fellow churchgoers and co-workers also have some they would like to get rid of. The nonprofit organization Clean the World collects soap and distributes hygiene kits to more than 70 countries to help fight disease that can be eradicated with simple hand washing. You can organize a soap drive in your community by registering on the group's website and following five simple steps. Learn more at cleantheworld.org.