ArcaMax

If you collect paper items like magazines, junk mail and newspaper in a shopping bag for recycling, be careful which type of bag you use. Shopping bags that are made from glossy paper or have plastic handles are not good options; they are hard to recycle and need to be sorted into a different paper category at the recycling facility. Instead, ...Read more

If you want to attract more birds to your yard, there's no need to have bird feeders full of seed everywhere. Instead, eliminate all chemical insecticides from your backyard. According to the National Wildlife Federation, our feathered friends love to hunt and eat insects because it's their primary source of protein. When a yard is treated to ...Read more

It's time to ditch plastic bowls and plates -- no matter how durable they seem -- in favor of glass or ceramic. Over time, plastic dinnerware can release millions of microplastics into your food. This can happen when you microwave meals, wash items in the dishwasher or use plastic plates for highly acidic foods. In fact, just three minutes of ...Read more

Does your kitchen or bathroom drain have an unpleasant odor? Instead of dumping chlorine bleach down the drain to neutralize the odor, try this nontoxic solution: regular salt. Sometimes decomposing organic matter like food scraps can get stuck on the sides of pipes. The salt helps dislodge the stuck-on waste and acts like a mini scrubber for ...Read more

If you've purchased a new washing machine, listen up: Don't use DIY laundry detergent for your machine. While handmade detergents are a good all-natural alternative, they have a tendency to clog modern washing machines. With household appliances becoming more high-tech, untested detergents can cause internal havoc. Using a DIY detergent can also...Read 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 or have high levels of volatile organic compounds. The basic rule of thumb is, if the product has a smell, it's likely chemical-based. How do you ...Read more

After a heavy snowfall, where should all that plowed snow go? The best place to pile snow is on areas with grass and other vegetation so that as it melts, the water can be absorbed naturally into the ground. Avoid piling snow near storm drains, wetlands or streams, since residual road salt and other chemicals can wash into waterways and create ...Read more

When you're making a big pot of pasta, is it better to reach for a glass jar or a tin can of sauce? While both are recyclable, metal is the better choice. Metal containers are lighter to transport, less prone to breakage and more easily recycled, giving them a smaller environmental footprint overall. In the past, canned goods were often avoided ...Read more

Who knew? Time magazine reported that meal kits that are delivered to your home may not be as bad for the environment as you think. These kits significantly cut down on food waste, since they are designed to use every ingredient in the package to make the meals. The trick is to find a meal kit brand that uses recyclable and biodegradable ...Read more

If you crack a lot of eggs, there's something you can do with the shells to help our feathered friends. Because female birds are drained of calcium when they are laying eggs, they love to find eggshells and consume them for all of the nutritional benefits. The National Audubon Society suggests that before you put chicken eggshells out, they need...Read more

One of the perks of traveling to and staying at seaside destinations is the wide variety of fresh, tasty seafood that is available at local restaurants. When you eat at these establishments, ask about locally caught seafood before ordering. While many restaurants have a wide variety to meet customer choices, it's the local stuff that's traveled ...Read more

Do you have wireless internet streaming all over the house 24 hours a day, seven days a week? Make the pledge to turn off your wireless router each and every night to cut down on electricity use and to help preserve the life of your router. Need one more reason? Many health experts believe wireless signals can also emit potentially harmful ...Read more

If you have access to Wi-Fi when using your smartphone, use it. Wi-Fi consumes less energy than cellular data like 4G and 5G because it requires less power to transmit data to a nearby router. Cellular networks rely on energy-intensive cell towers, which can use up to twice as much energy. Using Wi-Fi can also extend your phone's battery life, ...Read more

Have a little leftover club soda or sparkling water? Don't toss it down the drain; give it to your houseplants instead! Yes, the bubbly water is hydrating for thirsty plants, and the fizzy stuff can help them thrive. The carbon dioxide and minerals in carbonated water are beneficial to plants. When the roots of the plants drink up the water, it ...Read more

Salmon can be a heart-healthy addition to your diet, but not all fillets are created equal. Some varieties can contain higher levels of chemicals, heavy metals and other contaminants. When shopping, look for "wild-caught Alaskan" salmon rather than "farm-raised." Scientists have found that wild salmon generally contains lower levels of ...Read more

When it comes to storing citrus, there's one simple step that can extend the lifespan of the fruit from about one week to nearly four: Keep it in the refrigerator. Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges and grapefruit thrive in a cool environment with good airflow, making the crisper drawer an ideal place to store them. While a bowl of fruit on the ...Read more

If you live in a climate with harsh, icy and snowy winters, one way to help birds survive these conditions is to switch from standard birdseed to high-energy alternatives. Nutritious options include sunflower seeds, peanuts and mealworms, which are rich in healthy fats and provide essential protein to help birds maintain body heat and energy. ...Read more

If you live in a two-story home, an easy way to save on energy costs and keep the entire house comfortable during colder months is to focus on warming the first floor. By setting the thermostat on the first floor just two degrees higher, warm air naturally rises and helps heat the upper level more efficiently -- reducing the need to overwork ...Read more

Many homeowners are advised to keep chest freezers in the garage because the unheated area will help keep the freezer cold. But the reality is that the garage has inconsistent temperatures, especially in climates with hot summers and cold winters. These swings in temperature can force the freezer to work harder on hot days, which works the ...Read more

After you've brewed a cup of morning joe, don't toss the used grinds down the drain. Try soaking an old cotton T-shirt in cold coffee and wiping scratched tables to see the small nicks, dents and dings disappear. Or scrub your hands clean with old grinds and hand soap; the grinds will buff away dead skin, and the soap will ensure your hands are ...Read more