3/10/14

The Dell computer company has partnered with Goodwill stores to make electronics recycling a breeze. The used computer equipment program, called Dell Reconnect, lets you drop off your old computer equipment of any brand in any condition at any of the more than 2,000 Goodwill stores across the country, free of charge. The recycling program makes sure all the components are separated and recycled or refurbished. Computers that can be fixed are refurbished by Dell and then resold through Goodwill. Learn more at dellreconnect.com.

3/9/14

Do you have a pair of Crocs shoes that you aren't wearing anymore? Or do you know family members, neighbors or colleagues who also have Crocs they want to dispose of properly? Collect a few pairs and donate them back to the Crocs company to be recycled and used for good. Crocs, in partnership with the nonprofit organization Soles4Souls, takes lightly worn Crocs and refurbishes them back into almost-as-good-as-new shoes. They clean them up and donate them to people in need all over the world so they have shoes to wear. You can donate your used Crocs at any Crocs retailer store or visit crocscares.com for more information.

3/8/14

There are many unusual and clever tricks to keep squirrels from raiding the bird feeder in your backyard. One simple trick may actually work: Use red pepper flakes. Rodents such as squirrels hate the spicy, sharp taste of red paper flakes and quickly learn to avoid stealing the seeds. Our feathered friends, on the other hand, can't detect heat from red pepper flakes and will devour it, along with the seed. The plus side is that red pepper flakes are harmless to animals -- even those that don't like the taste!