ArcaMax

When it comes to tissues, napkins and paper towels, what do you do with them after they’ve been used? The good news is that used paper products like napkins and towels are compostable; they just need to be layered as “brown” matter in a compost bin with “green” material like kitchen trimmings and grass clippings. But don’t forget the...Read more

Believe it or not, one of the most dangerous things your pet can eat isn’t a food at all: It’s the bag your favorite chips or snack foods come packaged in. When you’re done eating your BBQ potato chips, a few remnants of the snack remain in the bag. If you leave the bag where your dog can find it, they’ll naturally stick their head in. A...Read more

It's important to clean fruits and vegetables before you eat them, whether they are organic or conventionally grown. Just a quick wash under running water helps rinse away microorganisms that can make you sick; it also removes any residual chemicals or pesticides that may be on conventionally grown produce. But here's an important tip: Even if ...Read more

Fall is the best time to transform your lawn into an eco-friendly one. It all starts with spreading a thin layer of organic compost in areas that need the most TLC; just a 1/4-inch layer is enough to give a nutritional boost so it thrives in the spring. Then add grass seed and rake it into the compost mix. Also, use a lawnmower to break up ...Read more

Single-use coffee pods are one of the least sustainable ways to brew coffee -- most plastic pods can’t be recycled, instead ending up in landfills. But new innovations offer an eco-friendly alternative: all-aluminum pods. They work with your existing machine and are 100% recyclable, and since nearly 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still ...Read more

Did you tackle a little DIY project at home and now need to dispose of construction materials like drywall, bricks or roofing tiles? You probably can’t put them out with your regular trash. Here’s why: Construction debris is bulky and heavy, which can strain garbage trucks and landfill equipment. It can also pose safety risks, as old ...Read more

Many people like to hang a wreath on the door to decorate the front of the house. And many birds mistake wreaths for potential places to nest and call home. Since killing a bird that nests in your wreath is illegal in most communities, try this little trick: Embed some magnets inside the wreath. The natural magnetic field can be disruptive to ...Read more

Brown paper bags can be used for more than just packing a lunch. They are a fantastic item to have in the kitchen for a plastic-free and recyclable way to store produce items. Fresh mushrooms, potatoes and all types of berries and avocadoes thrive when stored in a paper bag. It protects them and allows them to breathe, all while the paper itself...Read more

If you see a houseplant with yellowing leaves, one of the most important things you should do is trim them off. Yellowing, almost-dead leaves won't revive and turn green again, so it's better to help the plant by removing them so it can dedicate all of its energy to generating new leaves. When you are done pruning, be sure to wipe the pruning ...Read more

Yes, paper coupons from the Sunday circular can be used to help those in need in your community. Clip them and check if local food banks, homeless shelters or senior centers can use them to save money or share with the people they serve. Just be sure the coupons aren’t expired, and allow enough time for recipients to use them.

ANDREWS MCMEEL ...Read more

Face painting is one of the many costume traditions of Halloween, but cosmetics sold at costume shops rarely come with a list of their ingredients, which could mean things like lead, arsenic and even mercury in your face paints. To avoid the possibility of spreading these chemicals on your kid's face, try this DIY solution: Use cornstarch, water...Read more

Instead of poisons or glue traps to keep field mice out of your home, try prevention to live in harmony with them. Use a flashlight outside your home at night to try to find small holes or cracks mice may find to enter. Plug those holes with steel wool or insulation; doing this not only prevents entry for mice, but it also helps insulate your ...Read more

Whether you're using ground turmeric, dried rosemary or fennel seeds, all the seasonings in your spice rack should be organic. Conventional dried herbs and spices are grown with chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Worse, they are often irradiated to kill bacteria. Organic herbs and spices, on the other hand, are cultivated without chemicals and...Read more

Putting brightly colored paper into the recycling bin is like tossing a red sock into a load of white clothes. Colored paper can contaminate paper recyclables and cause a whole batch to be thrown out. If you want to use reams of colored paper, avoid the deeply saturated or super-bright papers; instead, look for pastel sheets. Paper recycling ...Read more

An infestation of spiders, ants and beetles in your home during the winter months could be traced back to one source: firewood. Keeping firewood stacked up or in a basket by your indoor fireplace could be the source. With warmer temperatures inside your home, nesting insects inside the wood become active and flourish. Even keeping firewood by ...Read more

Did you know that standard paper cups -- the kind used for coffee and other hot beverages -- are designed to handle liquids up to 190 degrees F? Since boiling water reaches 212 F, pouring it straight into the cup can cause the plastic lining to soften or melt, potentially releasing chemicals into your drink. If you don’t have a reusable ...Read more

Love having houseplants at home? Be sure to use a peat-free soil mix. Peat moss is harvested from peat bogs -- unique ecosystems that store carbon, regulate aquatic systems by acting like natural sponges, and support diverse wildlife. Removing peat disrupts these habitats and contributes to environmental damage. Instead, choose soil mixes made ...Read more

When composting, the general rule of thumb is no cooked foods go into the pile. But that isn’t always the case if you have leftover cooked vegetables and grains. If you saute or fry vegetables using pure vegetable oils, you can easily compost the leftovers; if you use butter or have other animal products like cheese on top, don’t. The same ...Read more

Sure, it’s a superfood, but turmeric is also a super-stainer. If you get turmeric on fabric, don’t worry: You can get the deep orange color out. First, don’t try to rinse it out with hot water; this will only set the stain and make it nearly impossible to remove. Instead, mix a combination of equal parts dish soap and white vinegar and ...Read more

It might seem odd to stock a bag of dried liver and dog treats in your car, but there’s a good reason. If you ever come across a dog or cat that might be in harm’s way and needs to be rescued, these strong-smelling foods can lure the animal to come closer to you and help you retrieve it. Without the treats, it’s very easy for the animals ...Read more