How you do use DOLE CANNED FRUIT in your Entree? ENTER YOUR RECIPE AND WIN!
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Wondering what to do with all of those extra paper shopping bags? Since more and more stores are now switching to paper bags, you more than likely have a closet full of them and no ideas on how to reuse them. The key to keeping paper shopping bags out of landfills is to find new uses for them that go beyond the obvious.
Eco-friendly homes are not only great for the environment; they also save the homeowner a bundle in utility bills, heating and air conditioning, and many other expenses. While some eco-friendly features can be expensive, many are not, and the pricier ones end up paying for themselves in the long run. Here are some tips for making your house eco-friendly.
Eco-friendly living is on the rise, ranging from recycling and reusing to making better food choices and building green structures. Even small changes can make a big difference in not only reducing your impact on the environment but also making your home a healthier place. Between work, personal and family obligations, making time to live a greener life can be a challenge, but it doesn't have to be impossible or even time consuming.
Antibacterial products, such as soaps and hand sanitizers, have become part of a daily practice for many, especially during the winter months when indoor air is recycled and germs are most at large. However, there are a few concerns when it comes to chemical sanitizers that are worth considering, as well as some effective natural alternatives that will keep your family and the ecosystem clean and green.
Recycling materials is good and reusing the materials is even better. Before those canisters, jugs, containers and tubes take a trip to the recycling bin, find a way to re-purpose them in the home. The materials may be used for organization, children's crafts, or as decorative objects.
Renewable energy is sustainable. Unlike fossil fuels--which are dwindling resources that can't be replaced--renewable energy comes from such infinite sources as the sun, earth and wind. Renewable energy is free from many of the negative environmental impacts caused by fossil fuels---namely, global warming and water pollution. Plus, renewable energy is the wave of the future. According to the US Department of Energy, the world's available fossil fuels will be consumed in 104 years if there isn't a global switch to renewable energy. This is a switch the world has to make. Many people are already going green with renewable energy in their homes and their lifestyles.
Saving the planet is a little like finding your soul -- it takes some work and creativity, but the outcome is a gift that will last generations. One day I was digging thorough the busy home of well-traveled inhabitants, and wondered how I could simplify my life, and at the same time prevent some of my embarrassing clutter from becoming a future archeological find. Separating trash is one thing but what if I took it to a new level, using what I know as a designer and a Mom?
There are many practical reasons for going green. Not only can you help to protect the Earth's environment, but you can also do your part to conserve energy. Going green is also a sensible economic move. By building an eco-friendly home, you can improve the quality of the indoor air you breathe, as well as save energy dollars on the green investments that you make. In addition, there are tax credits available to help defray the costs of going green.
In all areas of our modern lives, we're going green whenever we can---including our household and office furnishings. Furniture makers are now producing bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom furniture made of renewable or recycled materials with an eye to environmental friendliness. With eco-friendly furniture getting easier to find, more varied in style and more affordable, greater numbers of people are opting for the natural, the recycled, the organic and the sustainable.
Composting kitchen waste and organic materials in your own compost bin helps to reduce the amount of waste taking up space in landfills. It is possible to reduce your household trash that is hauled off to the landfill by as much as 30 percent. The composted material can then be entered back into a natural cycle, as a nutrient-rich and natural fertilizer for the yard or a home garden. Composting can also be used as an educational tool when teaching kids about environmental science and the importance of reusing and recycling, not discarding waste.
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