Detergent pods leave behind microplastics
While the premeasured “pods” for laundry and dishwasher detergents may be convenient, they are wrapped in a plastic called polyvinyl alcohol. It’s a plastic designed to dissolve in contact with water, but rather than fully dissolving, it goes into the waterway and becomes a microplastic. The best course is to stick with old-fashioned detergents in powdered form for laundry or look for tablets that aren’t wrapped in plastic for your dishwasher.
PLANT NATIVE SPECIES
There are more than 40 million acres of lawn in the United States, and it’s simply grass that provides very little in the form of food or shelter for wildlife. If you take just a small portion of your lawn and plant native plants, it can go a long way toward supporting wildlife like birds. Food sources like nectar, berries and seeds can come from indigenous plants, and even insects can be a food source for birds. Your local nursery can help you identify the right plants to turn a little patch of grass into a mini sanctuary.
Do you use a laptop computer? One way to help prolong the life of the rechargeable battery is to make sure it isn’t plugged into a power source all the time. While leaving the computer plugged in isn’t detrimental to your laptop, the excess heat that’s created can wear down the battery, and extra wear on the battery means its lifespan is shortened. So plug your laptop in when you need extra power or to recharge the battery, and unplug it when the battery is full.
RINSE AND CRUSH
Aluminum cans are a greener option than plastic bottles because metal can be recycled almost limitlessly, but care must be taken when recycling them. The smell of residual liquid inside aluminum cans intensifies when they dry out; the strong scent of sugar or beer is too tempting for wildlife. The razor-sharp edges of the cans’ openings can also harm wild animals. Before recycling, simply rinse out the inside and crush the can. A recycling bin with a tightfitting lid instead of a plastic bucket is best for keeping curious critters out.
REPLACE SPARK PLUGS
If your car has been driven just over 30,000 miles, it’s time to replace the spark plugs. Over time, spark plugs can become covered in carbon deposits, which make them work harder and decrease your car’s overall fuel efficiency. When your car misfires (when the engine stops for a brief second then picks up again), it’s a sure sign your spark plugs need replacing. Misfires increase exhaust emissions, which can affect your car’s fuel efficiency as well.
LEAVE BIRD NESTS
Homeowners may see it as a way of protecting their investment, but think twice about removing bird nests that can be in nooks and crannies on the outside of your house. For the few short weeks birds are raising their young, the noise and mess will be worth it. The nesting birds will soon leave and become your best insect killers around the house, eating hundreds of insects every single day. Wait until the babies leave the nest before removing it, and the birds will repay your hospitality tenfold.
GLASS OVER PLASTIC
If you choose to reheat leftovers in the microwave, opt for microwave-safe reusable containers made out of glass or ceramic. Plastic containers that are labeled “microwave safe” are not necessarily healthy for you; the label simply means they can withstand higher temperatures before they soften and change their shape. Plastic containers can still leach chemicals into food, and microscopic scratches in plastic containers can also harbor germs and bacteria over time.