9/19/10

If you forget your reusable bags at the store and have to use a disposable plastic bag, be sure to tell the sales clerk that it's OK to overload the shopping bag. Many retail sales associates are trained to minimally bag items and give customers multiple bags, even though plastic bags today are designed to hold a significant amount of stuff. Giving the sales person permission will empower them to cut back on plastic bag waste.

9/18/10

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, "Americans throw away more than 25 percent of the food we prepare, about 96 billion pounds of food waste each year." You can avoid waste by taking simple steps to organize your refrigerator: Raw meat, poultry and seafood should never be placed on the top shelf of the refrigerator, since bacteria can drip down and contaminate fruits and vegetables. Don't place eggs on the side of the refrigerator door where the plastic egg trays normally are; it does not get cold enough to keep them stable. Many fruits emit ethylene, an odorless gas that quickens the ripening process. So keep apples, cantaloupes, bananas, tomatoes, avocadoes, peaches, pears, plums and nectarines away from all other produce to extend its shelf life.

9/17/10

If you work on a laptop computer, avoid the temptation to keep it plugged into the wall 24/7 when you're working from home. A laptop computer uses a rechargeable battery that can be recharged a few thousand times. One way to wear down the life usage of the rechargeable battery is to keep it plugged in at all times, even if the battery is fully charged.