Category: Green news

As I was taking out the trash tonight, I realized that I use new trash bags. According to Pristine Planet, if every household in the US alone replaced just one package of 20 count drawstring tall kitchen bags made from virgin plastic with recycled ones, we could save over 45,100 barrels of oil – enough…

I was never into plants when I was younger. But there came a point in my years of existence when I thought, “why not give plants a try?” At first, I had no clue what to do. I would water, sometimes overwater. It was difficult trying to figure out how to make my plants survive….

Upgrading mobile phone plans often requires a new phone. Instead of throwing the old one away, you can give them to charities who want your phone for the cash they can fetch. In some cases, they can be refurbished for domestic violence victims or women at risk for abuse. To find a local phone retailer,…

Instead of tossing old batteries and obsolete portable electronic devices into your trash can, you can buy a Big Green Box that you can fill with electronic unwanteds and old alkalines. It comes with shipping prepaid to your recycling facility and you call UPS to pick it up. This will keep hazardous lead,mercury and other…

PET plastic-or polyethylene terephthalate,used to make bottles with the number “1” in the recycling logo-can be recycled to make shoes, carpeting,t-shirts,jackets. Patagonia makes products from recycled bottles and other materials. Go to their website and type “PCR”-for post-consumer-recycled-in the search box.

Staples recently announced that it is offering nationwide computer recycling in its stores. It is the first national retailer to have an electronic waste recycling program on a daily basis. Just bring in used computers, laptops, monitors, faxes, printers to any US Staples store during store hours; they will be recycled according to EPA (Environmental…

Since March 2007, Ikea USA has been charging a nickel for a plastic bag at check out. The money raised will be donated to forest restoration.The program was launched in the UK in June 2006 with an impressive 95 % reduction in plastic bag consumption. Ikea also cut the cost of its reusable shopping totes…

Today: a trip to La Mesa Ecopark in Fairview, Quezon City, Philippines. The La Mesa watershed is the main source of water for practically all of Metro Manila and there was a lot of angry buzzing a year ago because there were plans to develop the area to provide housing for the employees of the…

What better way to enjoy nature than to be outdoors? With Memorial Day long weekend looming ahead of us, I’m sure a lot of folks are there are thinking of going on picnics, barbecues and cookouts. I know I am. Mother Earth Living has a list of picnic items that are good for the environment….

Fuel saving tips for this Memorial Day weekend: Regular car maintenance keeps your vehicle operating at maximum efficiency. Keeping tires inflated to recommended pressure improves gas mileage by 6%. Keeping wheels aligned improves fuel economy by 10%. Keep air and fuel filters clean. Clean out the trunk or cargo area. Pack lightly for vacations or…