3/29/14

Bar soap is a far more environmentally friendly choice to use in the shower than liquid body wash since it does not come packaged in plastic bottles and is often made with less harsh chemicals. But bar soap can disintegrate quickly if it's left in a soap dish that collects water. Try this old-fashioned but totally useful tip to make your soaps last longer. Use a metal bottle cap from a soda or beer bottle and twist it firmly on one end of the bar soap so it's almost perfectly embedded. Glue a small magnet to the tile wall of the shower. When you're not using the soap, simply attach the bottle cap side to the magnet on the wall. It will allow excess water to drip, keep it dry and significantly extend the life of the soap.

3/28/14

Most curbside recycling programs accept plastics marked with a No. 1 or 2 resin code on the bottle. These are plastics like soda bottles, laundry detergent containers and clamshells from foods like prerinsed salad mixes. Many common food items like yogurt containers and water filters are made with plastics marked with a No. 5, making them nearly impossible to recycle. The company Preserve Products has an easy and free in-store recycling program called Gimme 5, which collects any type of No. 5 plastics to be recycled. You can find the bins in Whole Foods stores. Learn more at preserveproducts.com.

3/27/14

Habitat for Humanity is known for building affordable housing for people in need in communities all over the United States. But did you know it also accepts good-quality building materials that they resell at low prices to fund its charitable works through its ReStore shops? Items like working appliances, doors, cabinets, hardware, leftover drywall, excess tile, bathtubs, sinks, windows and more can be saved from the landfill and donated. Plus, you get a tax deduction for your charitable donation. You can also shop at the store and save money if you're doing your own home renovation projects. To see what it does and doesn't accept and learn where to give, visit re-store.com