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