Keep dry pet food in original bag
How you store your dry pet food is almost as important as what you feed your cat or dog. Be sure to keep your pet’s food in the original bag, since those bags are designed to keep the food as fresh as possible. Limit exposure of pet food to air and humidity, as they can speed up the degradation process. You should never give your pet expired food, even if there’s only a little bit left — those last remnants can harbor harmful bacteria. Finally, don’t mix old food with new, since adding old food can contaminate the new food.
OFF-SEASON VACATION
When traveling the world, it’s tempting to go to wildly popular destinations like Barcelona, Spain, and Venice, Italy, but over-tourism has been detrimental to those cities. Overcrowding is a continuing problem in many top vacation spots, and cruise ships cause significant environmental damage in popular port cities. If you do want to visit those cities, go during off-peak times and opt for nontourist activities that employ locals, such as bespoke culinary tours.
REPURPOSE SPONGES
Old sponges and freezer bags can be given a second life as freezer packs. First, disinfect your old sponge in the microwave by heating it on high (while wet) for 90 seconds. When it is cool, soak it in water and place it inside a freezer bag. Freeze for a few hours until frozen solid. Place the do-it-yourself cold pack in shopping bags when you grocery shop, and it will help keep your frozen food cold longer. As it thaws, the sponge will automatically re-absorb the water.
SALMON SELECTIONS
Many of us are incorporating salmon into our diets as a high-protein addition toward living a healthier lifestyle. But not all salmon fillets are the same because many varieties can contain high levels of chemicals and contaminants. Scientists have found that wildcaught Alaskan salmon have high levels of hearthealthy omega-3s and are low in contaminants; they’re also caught sustainably through tough Alaskan regulations and government monitoring of the fishing industry. Farm salmon, on the other hand, are “grown” in tightly packed pools where diseases are prevalent, so they are often fed high amounts of antibiotics.
RENT A TV
If you’re thinking of upgrading your TV to watch a special event, consider renting one instead of buying it outright. Electronics are rentable just like movies used to be, and they can be rented for as little as one day. Many rental centers will also deliver the TV to your home, set it up and pick it up when you’re done. Items like digital cameras, iPads, camcorders and gaming devices can also be rented. Save money and prevent electronic waste at the same time.
COMPOSTABLE CLING WRAP
Single-use plastic “cling” wrap is an environmental disaster. The good news is there are now compostable cling wraps not made from plastic but from bio polymers. They look and feel like plastic, but they’re totally biodegradable. In as little as 12 weeks, the greener wraps break down into mulch. You can find compostable cling wrap online and in big-box stores. Use it only when you really need it, and be sure to toss it into your compost and not the landfill.
DIY BATHROOM CLEANER
It’s a little not-so-dirty secret among greenie homebodies that it only takes two commonly found nontoxic ingredients to make the ultimate bathroom cleaner for your home: white vinegar and dish detergent. Simply heat up 12 ounces of white vinegar in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Mix in another 12 ounces of dish detergent and pour the mixture into a spray bottle (choose a detergent with color to see where you’ve sprayed). The dish soap breaks down grease and dirt, and the white vinegar dissolves mineral deposits.