The warped bottoms on your pans could be costing you money
Take a look at your cookware today. Is the bottom flat, or is it slightly warped from use? If your cookware isn’t perfectly flat, it can be an incredibly inefficient way to cook. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a “warped-bottom pot could take 50% more energy to boil water” versus a flat one. And when it comes to baking, choose glass or ceramic dishes. They heat up faster than metal, which means you can bake, roast and cook things at temperatures 25 degrees lower.
FOODKEEPER APP
How do you keep food fresh longer at home? The free FoodKeeper app is a project of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that is designed to help consumers “understand food and beverage storage.” The idea is simple: Their tips and proven strategies can help maximize the freshness and quality of your groceries so you can waste less and safely eat your food. It’s easy to search: Select a main category (like “dairy,” “grains” or “meat”), and then choose the subcategory in that section to find out how long you can safely store and use your ingredients at home.
PACKAGING WASTE
Do you enjoy the convenience of shopping on Amazon but find yourself disappointed by all of the packaging waste when it arrives? Amazon has created a program called “frustration-free” packaging that offers more than 90,000 items designed to ship with the least amount of packaging waste possible. As you’re searching for items, just select “Frustration-Free Packaging” in the search options along the left side of the page. All of those items have been “lab-tested” to arrive in tiptop shape with minimized packaging, and it’s all done with 100% recyclable components. There are also no plastic clamshells or wire ties, which makes it easier to open.
SHADE FOR CANS, BOTTLES
When storing your recyclables outdoors before pickup, be sure to keep them in a shaded area, out of direct sunlight. In the warmer months (and in drier climates), keeping metal cans and glass bottles outside with bright, shining light on them can actually create a fire hazard. Keeping your recyclables shaded ensures the metals won’t get scorching hot and the glass items won’t magnify sunlight and start a fire. Keep your home and those of your neighbors safe!
BRIQUETTES FOR DE-ICER
If you use de-icing mixture to keep your sidewalks and driveway clear and safe during the winter months, you may notice that the mixture can clump up over time. Just head to your backyard BBQ for a quick fix. Toss a few charcoal briquettes into your de-icer bag. They’ll absorb excess moisture to help keep the pellets loose and easy to spread. You can also throw in briquettes in the spring and tie the bag airtight; it’ll keep the mixture dry all summer and fall so it’s ready to use again next winter.
BOX SPRINGS
If you’re in the market to buy a new mattress, don’t fall into the trap of buying a matching box spring or foundation support if you don’t really need it. Ask if your existing foundation support is in good enough condition to not void the warranty of your new mattress when you put it on top. If it is, you’ll not only save a few hundred dollars, but it’s also one less thing that gets tossed to the curb when you replace your bed. Less waste and more savings!
RECYCLED PAPER
When shopping for paper for your home printer, there is a huge difference between paper that’s made from 100% post-consumer material versus virgin stock. For example, did you know it takes 24 large trees to produce one ton of virgin paper? One ton of recycled paper takes 1.1 tons of waste paper to manufacture; that’s 1.1 tons of paper diverted from landfills, repulped and remade into new paper. Plus, 100% post-consumer recycled paper requires 75% less water than virgin paper to be made. Recycled is clearly the greenest choice.