2/24/14

Single cup coffee brewing machines like Keurig have become common fixtures in homes, offices and hotels all over the world. The biggest environmental culprits of these machines are the disposable plastic cups -- otherwise known as K-Cups -- that you use once and throw away. To save money and cut back on the environmental waste, you can actually reuse them. Simply peel back the foil cover on the K-Cup and dump the coffee grounds inside into your compost bin. Rinse and dry it. Then scoop in ground coffee and secure a reusable cap -- search "Kaps for K-Cups" on Amazon.com -- that lets you reuse your plastic cups until it's time to throw them away.

2/23/14

The majority of recyclable glass in the United States is clear glass, which is made from a simple combination of sand, soda ash and limestone. But just because it's clear doesn't mean it is accepted in your curbside recycling bin. Generally, clear glass that is used to package food products is safe to recycle. Clear glass you should keep out of the recycling bin includes heat-resistant glass like Pyrex, mirrors, window glass, leaded crystal, light bulbs and glass used for television screens and computers. The general rule of thumb when recycling glass? When in doubt, toss it out.

2/22/14

Chlorine bleach is a chemical cleaning product that should be avoided or used very minimally. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, in addition to having carcinogenic fumes, it's also very damaging to both organisms and wildlife living on soil and in water. But when you do need bleach, be sure to measure carefully and use only what you need. Read the bottle's instructions carefully and use a measuring cup to add it to your washing machine. Too much bleach can actually break down your washing machine over time. The bleach speeds up the deterioration of the plastic seal around and inside the washing machine, which is vital for machine to work properly.