2/28/14

Even though most shampoo, conditioner and body wash bottles are made with easily recyclable high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics, only about 20 to 25 percent of the bottles are actually recycled. The likely reason? The transition to carry the empty shampoo bottle from the bathroom to the kitchen recycling bin gets lost on many unsuspecting people. To help your family recycle, consider placing a small recycling bin in the bathroom to not only collect recyclable plastics, but also glass and cardboard boxes.

2/27/14

Using a small, portable space heater can be an energy efficient way to bring heat to a chilly room without having to raise the thermostat. Many people will leave a heater on a small table to heat up a room, not realizing it's the least energy efficient way of using it. Instead, place the space heater on the floor and turn it on. Since heat rises, it will warm up the cool air as the hot air rises, giving you maximum efficiency. And if you want it to be even more efficient, use the space heater with a timer so it automatically turns off after a set period of time.

2/26/14

When you buy secondhand clothing from a thrift store, consignment shop or online, you are doing more than just saving money; you're helping the environment. It's about 95 percent more energy efficient to buy used clothes than new clothes that have to be manufactured. One tip to find clothes that fit your body type is to make note of the online or in-store seller who has clothes that fit your body. If he or she is selling jackets, pants, dresses or shoes that fit you perfectly, there's a likely chance anything else they sell in the future will also fit you. Have the store or online seller hold things for you and offer them to you first so you have first pick of discount deals in the future.