Avoid microplastics by using a wooden cutting board
One of the simplest ways to avoid microplastics from getting into what you cook and eat at home is to switch from a plastic cutting board to a wooden one. When you use a plastic board, tiny flecks of plastic can end up in whatever you’re slicing and dicing on the board. Not convinced? Take a look at your plastic board. If there are visible scratches, you’re creating microplastics. A wooden board is better for you, lasts longer, won’t dull knives as quickly and can easily be sanitized for food safety purposes, too.
FLOOR HEATING
If you’re looking at doing some renovating in your bathroom, one of the best things you can do is install radiant floor heating rather than traditional baseboard heating. The reason is simple: Heat rises, so heated air coming from the floor works its way up to warm the room (and it will keep your feet comfy on cold mornings). The Department of Energy recommends radiant floor heating for its efficiency because you won’t lose heat through your duct work. And for an even more energyefficient option, opt for a hydronic (liquid-based) system.
GREENER PACKAGES
The United States Postal Service is the greenest way to send a letter or package. Think about it: The postal worker is already going to stop by your house on their daily route, so you can help reduce emissions by handing your package to your carrier instead of driving it to the post office. The USPS even has over 7,000 walking routes where mail is delivered on foot by their workers, for even more emissions reduction. Likewise, your package will be delivered by a truck that was on its way to the recipient anyway, instead of a private carrier like UPS or FedEx making a special trip.
ORAL B PROGRAM
Did you know your hard-to-recycle items like toothbrushes, dental floss containers and plastic toothpaste tubes can be recycled free of charge? The Oral B corporation has a recycling program that accepts all of these items, regardless of brand — and they sort and divert them from landfills. You can use any box, and when it’s filled up, simply download a free shipping label from the website and send your package. It really is that simple! Learn more at oralb.com.
ROTTING FIREWOOD
Firewood that hasn’t been used and is rotting outdoors should never be burned inside. Some of that wood may have fungus and bacteria that could be distributed inside your home when you burn it. Instead, leave the rotting wood outdoors to become a habitat for animals and insects. Just keep the rotting wood away from healthy trees, since the fungus, bacteria and disease could transfer to them. And try to find a shady spot — that environment mimics where wood piles would be found in nature.
KEEP RECYCLING
Have you seen the viral social media videos of aluminum soda cans dipped in metal-corroding acid, revealing a “plastic” lining inside? They’re misleading. Yes, there is a lining in soda cans, but it’s not plastic. It’s a food-grade lacquer to prevent the phosphoric and citric acid from eating away at the aluminum. It’s safe and doesn’t take away at all from the recyclability of the aluminum can. Choosing a carbonated beverage in aluminum over plastic is a far better choice for the environment.
MATERIAL PICKS
A stylish way to stay green and shop ethically is to avoid certain types of materials when looking for new clothes. The fashion industry is responsible for a whole host of ecological nightmares like microplastics, landfill waste and polluted wastewater. The top three to avoid: polyester, nylon and rayon. They are made from petroleum, aren’t recyclable, contribute to microplastic waste in water and don’t biodegrade. If you really want something like a fleece jacket, buy secondhand from a resale site or thrift shop.