• Last updated 9/26/11 by stins

Upgrade Your Cell Phone and Downgrade Your Waste   Could you imagine your life without a cell phone? I don't think that I could. Nowadays people have email access, instant messaging and GPS navigation on their cell phones, and with this kind of technology literally in the palm of their hands, more people see this device as a necessity rather than a luxury. In fact, according to an AP-AOL-Pew Research Center mobile lifestyle survey, 29% of Americans said they could not live without their cell phones. And that also means that they can't live without constant... read more

• Last updated 3/30/11 by stins

10+ Ways to Be Greener and Happier at Work Enjoying an eco-lifestyle means living greener in all areas of your life. You may be taking environmentally friendly steps at home, but are you also doing it at work? People spend almost 90% of their lives indoors, and for those people who work inside that equates to about 40 or more hours at your desk, office or cubicle.   Whether you're a student interning at a major corporation, a marketing associate making phone calls all day or an office assistant handling paperwork, you're going to spend a majority of your... read more

• Last updated 3/30/11 by stins

Portable AC units are easier to install than window/wall mount units.  But they do need to be placed near a window because you will need to exhaust hot air outside.  Since all AC units dehumidify, ou will also need to account for the water that is pulled out of the air (you can either drain water in a bucket or out a window with a drainage hose).  Also, remember that portable AC units are (as their name says) portable.  But they are still heavy (usually 50 to 90 pounds).    There are a few factors to consider when choosing a portable air... read more

• Last updated 9/26/11 by stins

Keep your tires properly inflated.  The softer your tires are, the greater the friction between the road and the rubber, and the harder your engine will have to work.  According to AutoblogGreen, "incorrect tire pressure is responsible for the production of an additional 18.4 metric tons of CO2 which end up in the atmosphere each year." Turn the AC off when it's not actually hot out.  Your AC forces your engine to work more - save it a bit of energy. Take off that roof rack and dump the heavy stuff in your trunk!  Your roof rack alone might be costing you up... read more

• Last updated 3/30/11 by stins

Don't Get Duped By "Eco-Pornography"   In a nut shell, greenwashing is a bunch of baloney from a company to make you think its bottle of water/car/chainsaw/gas/soap/hotel/etc. is more environmentally friendly than it really is.    Today, greenwashing is still rearing its ugly head.  So what can you do to find the real green amongst the wannabes?     6+ Ways To Be Greenwashing Savvy Remember that not everything that claims to be “green” or “sustainable” actually is.  Some cases are pretty obvious.  Hummer insinuating that its cars are fuel... read more

• Last updated 3/30/11 by stins

  Check with your local garbage service: Find a customer service number (there should be one on your bill). Call and ask if they offer CFL or mercury recycling. Check with your municipal government: Look up your local government's sanitation services department. Ask if there is either CFL curbside pick-up recycling or if there is a designated drop-off spot. Check to see if your retailer has a take-back program: If they don't, your local Ikea will take any and all CFLs (even if you didn't buy them at their store). Check on Earth 911 for CFL recycling... read more

• Last updated 3/30/11 by stins

  From shutting down the electronics and picking up a book (gasp!) to closing your curtains at the right time, here are 22 simple things you can do to save energy, and save cash in your home.     Institute periodic Pioneer Days in your house. Lower your thermostat a few degrees in the winter. An ideal temperature for a home is 68 degrees. If you leave the house for a prolonged period of time in the winter, turn the thermostat down more. This can save you between $10 and $30 per month on your heating bill. By turning your thermostat down 10 to 15... read more

• Last updated 3/30/11 by stins

Don’t leave the tap running while you brush your teeth (or shave, wash your face, etc). Turning off the water during teeth-brushing can save up to two gallons of water every time you brush.   Fix leaks – this can save up to 10 gallons of water a day from one faucet. Fixing a leaky toilet can save about 200 gallons of water daily.   Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. This can save both hot and cold water (aerators can save up to 40%).   Take showers instead of baths. A bath typically requires 70 gallons of water, while a five-minute... read more

• Last updated 3/30/11 by stins

Unless you're the No Impact Man, you probably get an electric bill every month.     Here's a cheat sheet to see how you're doing in terms of your own consumption. If you're doing better than the average single person or family, you'll be spending less than the average for your region. The cost per kilowatt hour is based on 2007 data from the Energy Information Administration. See how you measure up and refine the data if you have a better source.     Don't like what you see? See How to Conserve Electricity Around the House to get some... read more

• Last updated 9/26/11 by stins

Buy green. Some companies (and therefore their products) are greener than others. Look for systems that have reduced levels of lead, cadmium, and mercury. Look for companies that are compliant with the EU directive called Restriction on Hazardous Substances (RoHS). Before you go with something brand new, check out if someone's junk could be your treasure! Try buying high quality, functional used electronics. Check out your local yard sales or flea markets. Online, try Craigslist, eBay, and Freecycle. In 2006, Nokia and Dell were ranked as the most... read more