A few simple rules for your next hike
Taking a hike through our parks is a wonderful way to get exercise and see the beauty of Mother Nature. But according to the American Hiking Society, there are some simple rules to follow to ensure that your next trek is a green one. First, focus on using the trails and avoid walking on vegetation and grass; even if there’s a mud puddle, walk through it and get dirty to avoid widening the trail. And leave with no souvenirs. That means no picking wildflowers or leaves, and no picking up rocks, as they may be a vital part of an ecosystem that’s invisible to you.
OLD MATTRESSES
When it’s time to replace your mattress, you might wonder what you should do with your old one. If it’s in decent shape, you should try to find a friend or family member who needs or would be willing to take it, since most nonprofits do not accept used mattresses. But if it’s in bad shape and ready to be disposed of, the good news is that it is recyclable. Approximately 90% of the materials used to make a conventional mattress can be recycled. The bad news is that there are few such facilities available — only in California, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
TIMELY DONATIONS
If you’re doing some cleaning and organizing around your house, it may be tempting to purge boxes of old holiday decorations like Christmas ornaments, artificial trees, wreaths and garland. But while the weather outside may be saying anything but “White Christmas,” consider holding onto your unwanted decor until the fall months. Starting in early November, charity shops like Goodwill and The Salvation Army will be in need of used holiday decor, which they stock up on and sell to raise money. Like any other business, charity shops are able to sell holiday items and decor best during the holiday months.
BATTERY-OPERATED BLOWERS
If you’re in the market for a leaf blower to do some cleanup around the yard, consider batterypowered instead of a gas-guzzling blower. New long-lasting lithium ion battery-powered lawn and garden products are readily available at any home-improvement store. These rechargeable batteries hold a longer charge (plus, the batteries are recyclable when you need to replace them down the road). So instead of emitting smelly fumes from gas-powered blowers, you can now clean and be green when doing yardwork.
RIPE TOMATOES
You may have heard that you should not store ripe tomatoes in the refrigerator; store them at room temperature right on the kitchen countertop instead. But what do you do if you have a bumper crop of ripe tomatoes? To extend the shelf life of a ripe tomato, go ahead and put it in the refrigerator. The chill will prevent it from ripening more. When you’re ready to enjoy it, bring it out of the fridge and let it warm back up to room temperature. It’ll taste like you just picked it from the garden.
RECYCLABLE TRASH
Even if there are recycling bins at parks or other outdoor recreational areas you are visiting, consider taking your recyclable trash home with you instead. Wild animals can’t tell the difference between trash cans and recycling bins, so they’ll root through them no matter what. Glass and plastic containers that once held snacks can be tempting to animals, possibly causing them to get stuck inside with no way to escape. Taking these containers home is a good way to help keep animals safe.
BAKING SODA CLEANSE
You probably have a box of old baking soda in your refrigerator that needs to be replaced. But don’t toss out the old box; you can use it to help clean around the house. Fill your coffeepot with 1/4 cup of baking soda and cool water. Dissolve the mixture, then run it through your automatic coffee maker. The baking soda mixture will help disinfect and clean the inside of your coffee maker, picking up mineral deposits and grime. Follow it up with a full pot of clean water to make sure it’s sparkling clean.