ArcaMax

Adding mulch is a great way to lock in moisture and block sunlight so weeds don’t overtake your garden, but avoid over-mulching. If the mulch is too deep, it can create too sterile of an ecosystem that is normally fed by things like fallen leaves and other debris. Plus, birds often look for food like insects in the soil, and too much mulch can...Read more

It may seem odd as trees and shrubs lose their leaves, but fall is the ideal time to start planning for spring. While plants lose their vibrancy, the root systems actually are quite active underground. The National Wildlife Federation says fall is a great time to plant new trees and bushes (which are also usually steeply discounted at gardening ...Read more

Single-use plastics are a growing concern when it comes to pre-sliced cheese sold in supermarkets. To cut down on your plastic usage, try buying your cheese from the deli counter instead of from the refrigerated dairy section. You can get cheese cut from blocks and wrapped in wax paper to take home. At home, separate the cheese into smaller ...Read more

Yes, hardcover books are recyclable in most curbside recycling programs, but you have to do one thing before you discard them. Since books are made from 100% paper, all of the inside pages are easily recyclable, but the hardcover binding needs to be removed before you recycle them. Just tear the covers off and toss those into the trash before ...Read more

Every time you deposit a load of freshly washed clothing into the dryer, make it a habit to empty the lint trap. This one simple act actually improves the efficiency of your dryer by .5%. While this may not seem like a lot, it does help you save a little money and time. A clean lint trap means it takes less time to get your clothes dry. And it ...Read more

When you slice open an avocado, don’t toss the skin into the trash or compost just yet. Turns out the skin (which still has residual fruit) is rich in natural oils and is a fantastic beauty treatment for your skin. Just rub and massage the remnant avocado fruit and oils onto your face. The vitamin E and potassium help nourish dry skin. Even ...Read more

When a refrigerator stops cooling, you may automatically think it means you have to invest in a brand-new appliance. But before you take that pricey plunge, check a few things inside your refrigerator. First, is the gasket around the door of the fridge sealing properly? If cold air is leaking out, your appliance has to work harder. Is the ...Read more

If you’re planning to take a family vacation or travel with a group of friends, is it better to hop in a car and drive to your destination or go on a plane? It depends on how big your group is. According to carbon-offset company Terrapass, if your group is three or more people, driving is the most eco-friendly way to do it. It’s even greener...Read more

Do you have a lot of trophies, plaques and medals collected over the years? Parents who have children who compete in sports often have a plethora of them and aren’t sure what to do with them when they are no longer appreciated. You can recycle them. AwardsMall.com has a trophy recycling service that retrofits donated trophies and rebuilds them...Read more

We all know that planting a tree is a simple act to help combat climate change. But not all trees have the same impact. Choosing a “broadleaved species” tree is the most efficient way to go, because the large leaves generate more photosynthesis. Species like oaks, beeches and maples are all good examples of this. The best time to plant trees...Read more

If your birthday is coming up, you already may be expecting to receive gifts from friends and family that you really don’t want. So take part in a new trend and “donate your birthday” instead! Throw a party and make it clear when you invite guests that you want no gifts; instead, your only request is that partygoers bring a check or cash ...Read more

Choosing a dishwasher over handwashing is always a better option for saving energy and water, and for sanitary reasons. And while the greenest option is to run a dishwasher only when it’s completely full, you might wonder if it’s OK to run it when it’s half-full. It depends. Check to see if your dishwasher has a “top rack only” ...Read more

"Take an aspirin and call me in the morning" is a phrase we’ve all heard, but have you ever given an aspirin to an ailing houseplant? Turns out it can do a lot of good for your plants. When plants are stressed, they create salicylic acid to help boost their immune system. The active ingredient in aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid, which is a ...Read more

If you’re a baker, there’s nothing worse than going to your pantry and finding flour that’s gone rancid. When you open bags of flour at home, transfer the contents into an airtight container, then skip the pantry and store the flour in the freezer instead. According to the Wheat Foods Council, flour can last indefinitely if frozen. If ...Read more

With the autumn chill in the air, you might want to buy heavier, warmer clothing. While fleece tops are soft and fuzzy, they can shed microplastics into the water every time you wash them. Instead, opt for natural fibers that are cozy and won't shed plastic, like cotton, linen, wool, silk and hemp. If you do have fleece tops, wash them in cold ...Read more

When you’re moving from your old home to a new one, it’s easy to get caught up in amassing a lot of single-use cardboard boxes, Bubble Wrap and packing supplies to transport your things. For a lighter carbon footprint, look for used sturdy boxes from a liquor or grocery store, use laundry baskets you already have, or see if you can borrow ...Read more

With nearly 10 million cut flowers sold every day, knowing where flowers are grown for your bouquets and arrangements is important. Most flowers come from faraway places like Africa, South America and Europe, where fields of colorful blooms are grown in monocultures that are far from eco-friendly. A new directory called Slow Flowers has over 850...Read more

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics says that just a small fraction -- 7.5% -- of commuters carpool to work. There are lots of reasons why carpooling is beneficial for the environment and your wallet. On average, drivers save $450 a year on gas by sharing a car. Carpooling also eliminates unnecessary wear and tear on your car. But the big ...Read more

Yes, your garbage cans and recycling bins need to be washed on a regular basis. Trash cans and bins can be loaded with illness-causing bacteria like salmonella, listeria and E. coli. When you come in contact with them while discarding of trash, these bacteria can transfer to you. Washing your containers also helps make them less attractive to ...Read more

When cuts and scrapes happen, it's important to cover the wound with a bandage to help it heal. But these bandages almost always are made from single-use plastic, and they contribute to the global plastic pollution crisis. Check your local store's shelves for new bandages made from bamboo fiber. They have a gauzelike feel and contain eco-...Read more