1/10/14

While paper towels may not be the greenest option to clean up spills and messes, sometimes they are a convenient option when rags and cotton towels aren’t available. When buying paper towels, look for 100 percent post-consumer recycled ones, which are usually a brownish color and unbleached. These towels are a great addition to a compost bin after being used. Adding layers of used paper towels creates small air pockets, which help beneficial microorganisms grow and make the compost rich and moist.

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.