Make sure to save money while keeping yourself warm this winter:

• Install heat reflectors behind radiators
• Place reflective window films on the inside of window panes and glass doors
• Cover your air conditioner 
• Put draft blockers behind light switches and electrical outlets
• Caulk the gaps around your windows
• Programmable thermostats control temperature when you aren't home

Comment (0)

High gas prices are as good a reason as any to increase your car's fuel efficiency, but these tips also reduce pollution:

• Change your air filter regularly
• Speeding eats up extra gas so stay safe and keep to the speed limit
• Turn your car off instead of idling and put it in neutral for short waits
• Use cruise control whenever possible to maintain a consistent speed
• Inflate your tires to the correct air pressure

Comment (0)

As kids return to school, there are simple ways to encourage them to help the environment. Remind them to:

·         Turn off the lights before they leave.

·         Throw away trash on the playground.

·         Use both sides of their notebook paper.

·         Save unused school supplies.

·         Put completed and unwanted school papers in your home recycle bin

Comment (0)

Make the most of your family camping experience and the environment with these tips:

• Travel local - use less gas and less travel time.
• Borrow or rent instead of buying camping gear.
• Use LED lights for flashlights and lanterns.
• Host your campfire or cookouts using reusable plates and dishes.
• Opt for a tent instead of a camper.
• Use organic bug repellent and citronella candles instead of chemical-based repellents.
• Don't forget to get rid of your garbage by recycling or disposing before leaving! And if the campground doesn't recycle, bring your recycling home.

Comment (0)

Planning your summer vacation? Calculate the cost of driving anywhere in the U.S., including your carbon footprint, at www.costtodrive.com.

Turn off your tap water while brushing your teeth and washing up and save more than 200 gallons of water a month.

Comment (0)

If your house is like mine, we have TONS of paper. (Even though we have tons of electronic devices in use every day.) While we are trained to recycle at work, we need to carry over this habit to home.

Tips for getting started:

1. Setup a large plastic bin in a convenient place for everyone. We started by keeping ours in the garage just outside the door. We quickly decided that this wasn't convenient enough and now keep it in the mud room just off the garage.
2. Find a local place to take your bin. Many schools and churches are using paper recycling as a fundraiser. Look for the green and yellow bins labeled as Paper Retriever.
3. Identify what kind of paper you can recycle. Paper Retriever only accepts office paper and magazines. We've opted for a community drop off that allows co-mingled paper and cardboard. This allows us to recycle almost everything including cereal boxes, pizza boxes and the reams of school papers and traditional mail we get every day.
4. Finally, tell your house to stop throwing regular paper in the garbage and use your bin.

Happy Recycling!

Comment (0)

The next time you head out to a restaurant for dinner, think about where you are going. Do you anticipate leftovers? If yes, throw a reusable container into your bag, pocket or purse. By forgoing the carryout container, you save the environment from one more cardboard or Styrofoam container sitting in a landfill. Additionally, you're less likely to forget those prized leftovers on the table and increase the chance of enjoying them the next day. :)

Comment (0)

• Use a gift bag instead of a box and wrapping paper. It saves paper and is something that you can use again and again. (Oh yeah, it also saves on wrapping time!)
• If you receive a gift wrapped in paper, find your nearest recycling center that accepts mixed paper.
• Serve those holiday appetizers on real plates. It looks nicer, is easier to hold and saves the earth.

Comment (0)

When I think about Thanksgiving dinner, treasured images of family, friends and laughter come to mind. At the same time, I think about the large amount of unnecessary waste and trash produced from one meal.  Here are a few tips for making your Thanksgiving a more eco-friendly gathering!

1. Purchase local, organically grown produce rather than pre-packaged fruits and vegetables. You will support your local economy and farmers while purchasing the freshest items available.  Additionally, you will know there are no harmful pesticides or toxic fertilizers used while growing the items. 
2. Purchase a free range organically fed turkey to be sure that there are no harmful hormones in your meat.  
3. While shopping, bring your reusable grocery bags.  Sounds very simple but makes a huge impact on the environment!
4. Resist the urge to use disposable plates and silverware.  Break out your good china for the once a year gathering or utilize your every day dinnerware.  Your guests won’t mind, and you will drastically reduce the amount of unnecessary trash.
5. If you are the one doing the cooking in your family, plan on purchasing and preparing less food to reduce waste.
6. Recycle any items that you can.  
7. If you need to decorate to feel festive, only use items that you already have or items that can be used over again for future holiday seasons.  Try to minimize plastic items, items that are made with harsh chemicals, and items made in foreign countries that could be potentially made with lead paint.
8. Stay local for the season and reduce emissions from your car or a plane ride and ultimately reduce your stress level from traveling.

Comment (0)

If you are looking for a clever way to get your neighborhood school, or office, on board with a recycling campaign www.terracycle.net is a great way to do so. By initiating a campaign and collecting used items such as juice pouches, lunch bags, or potato chip bags, students can earn money for their schools while gaining valuable knowledge about recycling. Additionally, cool school supplies and office supplies are available for purchase from all of the recycled items.

To learn more about the Terracycle program or to watch a video on how to get your school involved visit www.terracycle.net.

Comment (0)