1/30/14

Permanent ink pens are a popular choice since the ink doesn’t smudge when you make notes or sketch out ideas. But the plastic casing for indelible ink pens are hard to recycle and most likely will be thrown in the trash when the ink is gone. If you can’t live without permanent ink pens, look for newly designed stainless steel pens that are also refillable. When it’s time to replace the ink, you simply replace the cartridge and reuse the metal case. And if you ever need to recycle the pen, the stainless steel case can be easily tossed into the recycling bin.

1/29/14

Do this one thing to help maximize the heating efficiency in your home: Move furniture away from vents and radiators. Having the backs of sofas, chairs or headboards near heating sources prevents warm air from heating the room. Just moving these pieces a few inches away helps air circulate in the room, making heating more efficient. The same rule applies to drapes that hang to the ground; if they cover a heating source, they block warm air from heating the room.

1/28/14

Is there an ecological difference in airline that you fly? While flying may not be the most fuel-efficient way to travel, sometimes it’s unavoidable to get from point A to point B. But if you can choose, go for airlines like JetBlue or Southwest, which offer all coach seating. Since first-class seats take up more room for fewer passengers, airlines that offer all coach maximize space and increase the plane's per-passenger capacity. In the long run, the total carbon emissions per passenger are less than a plane with first-class seating sections.