Boxed beverages are doubly friendly to the environment
Beverages in aluminum containers are an environmentally friendly choice because aluminum can be recycled infinitely into new metal products. But when buying canned beverages like sodas and sparkling water, consider going for a box of cans versus a six-pack. Six-packs are typically bound together with plastic rings that are not recyclable and can end up entangling wildlife in their loops. A box of canned drinks does not have plastic rings, and the box itself is recyclable.
CATS VS. BIRDS
Did you know one of the easiest and most effective ways to help prevent the death of birds is to simply keep your cat indoors? The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute conducted a study that found 1.4 billion to 3.7 billion birds are killed every year by regular and feral cats who roam outdoors and instinctively prey on them. As a pet owner, you can help reduce wildlife mortality by keeping your cat inside or monitoring its activity when it is outdoors.
HEATING STOVES
A wood- or pelletburning stove can be an economical and efficient way to heat a room or house, but which model and size of stove should you purchase? First, look for stoves that are EPA-certified for being the most efficient models. Second, understand that the size of the stove is critically important. If it’s too big, you’ll end up burning at a “low smolder” to avoid overheating, which wastes fuel. If a stove is rated 60,000 BTUs, it can heat a 2,000-square-foot home. Choose less BTUs for a smaller home and more for larger.
BATTERY JUICE
At the beginning of the year, many of us go around the house and replace the alkaline batteries in our smoke and fire detectors with fresh batteries. This is a smart idea for the health and safety of your family. But those batteries are far from dead and shouldn’t be tossed into the trash. Save them and use them for other household items like remote controls, children’s toys and anything else that uses batteries. Use them up until they are totally dead and then properly dispose of them.
ENERGY VAMPIRES
Have you heard of “energy vampires”? These are devices and appliances that are plugged into an outlet and continue to draw electricity even if they are turned off or not being used. The latest statistics say that this unnecessary power drain costs Americans more than $19 billion a year. To help save electricity and knock a little off of your monthly bill, consider unplugging these Top 5 energy vampires: desktop computers, televisions, cable boxes, speakers and microwaves.
SINK DRAINS
To prevent clogs and deodorize sink drains, reach for a box of regular salt. Pour 1/2 cup of salt (coarse salt works best) down the drain, then pour very hot water after it. The salt will act as a corrosive to scrub the drain walls, and the hot water will help flush clogs down the drain while dissolving the salt. This process also naturally deodorizes, so any foul odors will be neutralized, leaving your drain clean and smelling more fresh.