3/15/14

Here's an old wives tale worth disputing: Throwing glass in the trash can actually help break down garbage in landfills. The theory is that broken glass cuts through refuse, making it more efficient and compact. The verdict? False. Modern landfills are designed to be airtight and superefficient. Throwing away glass -- which is infinitely recyclable -- is not eco-friendly. All recyclable glass should be recycled in curbside bins, and nonrecyclable glass, like Pyrex cooking containers, donated to charities.

3/14/14

If you live in an older home that was painted with lead-based paint, don't reach for the vacuum when paint begins to chip and peel off. While it may seem like a logical idea to use a vacuum since you're not touching the lead-based paint chips, contamination can occur when you open the vacuum to empty the canister. Powerful vacuums can turn lead chips into dust, and when the canister is open, those dust particles can contaminate the air in your home. Instead, clean up the chips using a dustpan and broom. After touching lead-based paint chips, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly to avoid contamination.

3/13/14

Many modern computers have removed screen savers altogether as a proactive way to reduce energy usage. While sleep mode does an effective job of reducing energy waste by as much as 70 percent, it still expends energy when not in use. If you plan on not using your computer for at least two hours, shut it down. This will cut power usage completely. If you plan on coming back, it's OK to keep it in sleep mode so it turns back on with the stroke of a key.