Ceiling fans are always a good investment to circulate air in the home, keeping it as cool or warm as you need it in the most efficient manner possible. When you want it cooler inside, have the fan go... more

If you buy food packaged in cans, you’re probably choosing the most environmentally friendly option. Nearly 70 million tons of steel is recycled every year and made into new steel products. And the lo... more

When you’re watching your favorite shows on a streaming platform, the way you watch it can have a profound impact on how much energy you use for your entertainment. Start by watching at a lower resolu... more

With nearly 1.3 billion gallons of paint mixed and sold every year in the United States, a lot of paint ends up wasted because we chose the wrong shade. It can be hard to choose the perfect hue from p... more

You probably have a box of old baking soda in your refrigerator that needs to be replaced, but don’t toss it -- you can use it to help clean around the house. Add 1/4 cup of baking soda to your empty ... more

If you live in a climate that has freezing cold winter days, one of the biggest challenges for wildlife is to find fresh water to drink. You can help give birds and other animals a drink of water by i... more

Did you stock up on too much hand sanitizer during COVID lockdown? The good news is there are myriad uses for it other than keeping your hands germ-free. One of the most ingenious is deodorizing smell... more

For many of us, the idea of leftover wine seems like an oxymoron, but if you do have a little extra vino from a party, you can use it to help your plants. The nitrogen content in wine is beneficial fo... more

There are a number of creative uses for used coffee grounds, but did you know you can also use them on your dog? Fleas detest coffee, so instead of using a harsh chemical flea shampoo or spray on your... more

If you love to craft with kids, it’s important to stock up on supplies that are free of harsh chemicals. Many products like ink pads, markers and craft paints can contain asthma-triggering chemicals o... more

Oranges have one of the largest carbon footprints of all fruits and vegetables, but it depends on where they come from. The majority of oranges come from Brazil, which means they are transported from ... more

Modern-day paper shredders do an excellent job of finely cutting, dicing and obliterating important documents so they are impossible to piece back together. While these shredders are great for protect... more

Did you know that most yoga and stretching mats are made from hard-to-recycle PVC material? They can off-gas chemicals, and they don’t degrade in landfills. Instead of plastic mats, look for greener a... more

It’s not always necessary to send your wool and cashmere sweaters to the dry cleaner to get them clean. If the reason for cleaning is odor, just spraying the sweater with vodka can help neutralize the... more

While most public tap water is safe to drink, it’s always a good idea to be aware of certain red flags before you take a sip. One of the easiest ways to assess your water's safety is to use your sense... more

Cash is always the most appreciated donation if you want to support a local food pantry, but so are things that are considered “nonessential.” Donate cake mixes, frosting, candles and a cake pan so fa... more

If you shop online, opt for ground shipping instead of overnight. Yes, it’s cheaper, but it’s also better for the environment because it minimizes air shipping, which uses more fuel and has a higher c... more

Gift experiences instead of physical items. We waste about $9 billion every holiday season on gifts that are returned or thrown away. Focus on experiences like day trips or meals in restaurants, or co... more

If you must wrap a present, use uncoated and unadorned paper to make your present look nice. Gift wrap that has flecks of shimmer and shine from foil and glitter is nearly impossible to recycle. And s... more

Plant-based meat alternatives are all the rage now, and they can be found as vegetarian and vegan options at popular fast-food restaurants. You might wonder if these protein alternatives also are bett... more

LED lightbulbs are supposed to last for years, if not decades; so why do so many burn out quickly? Other than poor manufacturing, the most common reason is that the lightbulb has been paired with an i... more

The electronics retailer Best Buy has made it a mission to collection as much e-waste as possible for recycling -- so much so, Best Buy has recycled nearly 3 billion pounds of personal electronics and... more

It’s not just bottled water that’s part of the single-use plastic problem; it’s cleaning products, too. It’s estimated nearly 2.5 billion plastic bottles that once held laundry detergent, dishwashing ... more

Even though they look like paperboard, ice cream containers are not commonly recycled. They are composed of layers of plastic and paperboard, and it’s nearly impossible for recyclers to separate the m... more

If you’ve squeezed the last few drops of toothpaste out of the tube, grab some scissors and cut it open. You can use what's left to help with a myriad of household tasks. Stains on your carpet? Just r... more

It may seem harmless, but it’s actually illegal to take rocks out of national parks. With millions of people visiting our parks annually, if everyone took a small natural souvenir home, it would have ... more

During the holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, it’s estimated that food waste increases by 25%, on top of the 30% to 40% of our food supply that Americans throw away on average. To redu... more

It’s estimated nearly 30 million live Christmas trees are sold every year in the United States, which means a lot of people are shopping for holiday decorations for the tree. Instead of buying new, wh... more