1/15/14

A wood-burning stove can be an efficient and affordable way to heat up a home, especially during cold winter days and nights. But just because something can be burned does not mean it is suitable to use in a wood-burning stove. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, you should never use household trash or recyclables like cardboard, magazines or waxy wrappers in the fireplace or stove. When burned, the inks, glues and other substances can release toxins and even damage your stove. The same goes for driftwood, plywood, particleboard or any pressure-treated wood, since they all could release toxins when burned. The rule of thumb is simple: Properly seasoned, split and dry firewood is the cleanest and most efficient wood to burn.

1/14/14

Even with the best care, an old cast iron skillet may need to be replaced eventually. Whatever you do with it, don’t throw it away. Cast iron pots and pans are 100 percent recyclable and can be given to scrap metal dealers to made into new metal products. Iron is one of the most predominant materials in steel, and old cast iron is coveted to be recycled. Almost 50 percent of steel foundries use recycled scrap metal in their furnaces to make steel, so cast iron can be recycled forever.

1/13/14

Ever open a desk drawer or the ubiquitous junk drawer to find a mangled mess of abandoned or broken cords for things like digital cameras, printers, computers and cellphones? Instead of throwing them away, take them to Best Buy. The electronic store makes it easy to recycle them: It has free recycling bins at the front of the store into which you can deposit the old cords. Best Buy sends them off to be recycled -- the plastic and metal parts are stripped and separated and made into new consumer products. Learn more at bestbuy.com.