1/9/14

Another reason to skip balloons for birthdays and other celebrations: There is a helium shortage. It’s expected that helium gas will be gone by the year 2020 if used at current levels. Why is this important? Helium gas is used for more than just balloons -- in science (especially the science of cryogenics), helium gas is used in high-energy accelerators, arc welding and silicon wafer manufacturing. The high melting and boiling points of helium also make it a unique natural element for scientific research. As the government creates helium reserves to save the precious gas, the easiest thing for consumers to do to help is to simply say no to helium-filled balloons.

1/8/14

Did you know that electronic waste like computer monitors, hard drives, digital cameras and smartphones represent just 2 percent of the trash in landfills, but 70 percent of the toxic waste? Electronics need materials like lead to work, but when discarded improperly, these chemicals can end up in waterways or, worse, incinerated, so these toxins end up in the air. Fortunately, e-waste recycling has gotten easier, thanks to retailers like Staples that will take many common items for free recycling, including desktop and laptop computers, tablets, e-readers, computer monitors, printers and even small items like broken computer mice, keyboards, modems, routers and speakers. Learn more at your local Staples store or at staples.com.

1/7/14

Thinking ahead when running errands can help you save not just time, but money at the gas pump. When you take a trip to the store and start your car when it’s cold each time, it can use twice as much fuel as if you made several trips doing back-to-back errands when the engine is still warm. Planning multiple errands also reduces the total distance you need to drive, so you save a significant amount of money and time in the long run. While you’re at it, drive the speed limit. For every 5 miles over 50 miles per hour, it reduces your car’s efficiency to the tune of 24 cents per gallon of gas.