ArcaMax

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, “the clothes dryer is one of the largest energy users in the home, often consuming as much as a new refrigerator, dishwasher and clothes washer combined.” The nonprofit suggests air-drying whenever possible, and if you need to use the dryer, make sure the lint filter is clean before use. If...Read more

As shopping has become less about getting necessities and more about acquiring more stuff, there’s a rising movement to buy fewer things. One way to reduce your shopping is to shop as a chore, not as a fun activity. Paying with cash instead of credit cards can help you think twice about whether you really need something. And for big ticket ...Read more

Did you know billions of dollars are wasted every year on unwanted gifts that end up landfilled? While it may be considered poor etiquette to show up at a party without a gift, what you bring should be carefully considered. Instead of nonperishable goods, opt for more sustainable options, like an organic fruit assortment, fresh flowers or a nice...Read more

Packing light when you travel has two benefits: It’s easier for you to get around, and it reduces your carbon footprint. When you check a heavy bag for a flight, it requires more fuel to transport to your destination. Opting for a carry-on bag instead helps save fuel, but it also helps you realize that you really don’t need tons of wardrobe ...Read more

Here’s something you can stop using: fabric softener. While it’s touted as a product to help clothes feel smoother and reduce static cling, it’s also completely unnecessary. The chemical residue that’s left on clothing can irritate skin, build up on clothes and lead to your washing machine working less efficiently over time. But if you ...Read more

The nonprofit The Wildlife Trust says there’s one simple thing pet owners can do to help lower their dog and cat’s carbon footprint. They say for pets on a meat-based diet, look for protein sources from poultry, like chicken and turkey, and avoid beef, which has the highest environmental footprint for meats. Opt for sustainable seafood ...Read more

One of the easiest ways to help combat climate change is to plant a tree. But did you know that some trees aren’t as good at absorbing and storing CO2 emissions as others? The U.S. Forest Service did a study in 2002 that researched which trees in an urban environment did the best to absorb CO2. Trees like black walnut, ponderosa pine, Douglas ...Read more

Are you looking for a new juicer to make freshly squeezed juices at home? Consider a “gear” juicer instead of the “centrifugal” style. Here’s why: A centrifugal juicer breaks up the fibers of the fruits and veggies, which means any chemical and bacterial residue ends up in the finished juice. A gear juicer presses produce without ...Read more

The “fast” culture that has inundated fashion with cheaply made garments has worked its way into the furniture business, but filling your home with cheaply made furniture is one of the worst things you can do for the environment. Avoid furniture composed of engineered woods, which look like solid wood but are made of particle board, plywood ...Read more

Did you know around 45% of America’s children live in neighborhoods that do not have public libraries or even stores that sell books? The nonprofit Kids Need to Read wants to change that and ensure that all children have access to quality reading materials by serving these communities and their underfunded public schools. If you have good-...Read more

Facebook Marketplace is more than just an easy way to turn your unwanted goods into some cash; it’s also better for the environment. While we’re used to donating items to charity shops, a high percentage of these items actually don’t get resold and end up in landfills. Facebook Marketplace (and other platforms like it) connects buyers and ...Read more

The U.N. Environment Programme estimates that close to 36% of all plastics produced in the world are single-use food and beverage containers. While most of these can be recycled, very few actually are. One way to help is to buy fresh fruits and vegetables unpackaged, unbagged and unwrapped. Avoid pre-washed salad mixes, precut fruit and cling-...Read more

The common belief used to be that a small bell on your cat's collar would make sound and scare away birds, thus preventing your cat from killing them; but in fact, our feathered friends don’t associate the ringing sound with danger. The best method to prevent your cat from killing birds is to keep your feline friend indoors. Studies have found...Read more

Here’s an interesting fact: Honey never expires. The water content of honey -- just 17% -- means the sweet stuff isn’t moist enough for things like bacteria or fungi to thrive. What does alter honey is light and heat, which can change its color, taste and aroma, so store your honey in a dark, cool place. And if you have honey that has ...Read more

When we think about saving energy in the kitchen, we often don’t think about the smaller things, like coffee grinders, blenders, toasters, coffee makers and microwave ovens. These smaller appliances are a frequent part of our lives and can waste a lot of energy over time. Instead of keeping them plugged into a wall outlet and drawing power ...Read more

If you hate standing in line at the post office, here’s a fast and eco-friendly way to get your postal supplies sent right to your home: You can order postage stamps, envelopes, boxes and other supplies from the United States Postal Service website. Since the post office is hard at work six days a week delivering mail, they’re going to be in...Read more

Have you heard of the 40-80 rule when it comes to personal electronics like laptops and smartphones? It describes the optimal range to keep your battery charged -- between 40% and 80% -- to make it function optimally with the longest lifespan. This prevents overcharging of the battery AND undercharging, both of which can cause too much stress on...Read more

If you have children who attend schools that require a uniform, consider donating the old unis to a local charity shop when your kids outgrow or replace them. The need is great; about 18,000 American public schools require students to wear uniforms. Your donation of gently used uniforms can help in a big way. And it's not just uniforms: Many ...Read more

If you have black-colored plastic reusable food containers or cooking utensils at home, it might be a good idea to toss them out. Recent studies have shown these products -- as well as children’s toys and grocery produce and meat trays -- have alarmingly high amounts of flame retardants in them. This is due to the fact that many of them are ...Read more

Choosing the right paint color for inside your home is more than just making the right on-trend choice. If you live in a climate that tends to be hotter, light colors like white, creams and even light gray help reflect the sunlight and heat that comes through the windows. Even pastel colors are good options to keep the inside as cool as possible...Read more