• Last updated 9/26/11 by stins

In most cases, the greenest car is the one you're already driving. Keeping your car in good repair delays the need to buy a new one, and minimizes wasted fuel. It's where to start.   OIL CHANGES The 3,000 mile oil change is a myth. This is what the State of California says. Or more exactly what the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) says. Most drivers (including myself) change their oil every 3,000 miles (or 5,000 km) even though many automakers now recommend service intervals of 5,000, 7,000 or even 10,000 miles for most modern... read more

• Last updated 3/30/11 by stins

The kitchen is one room in a house where people spend a majority of their time. Why? People love to eat, and there’s nothing better than a home-cooked meal.   Small Changes For Green and Clean Use your dishwasher You may think that using a dishwasher will waste a lot of water, but if you wait to run it when it’s completely full you’ll actually save more water. Think about it: when you hand wash your dishes you have a continuous stream of water going. That can add up, especially if you do it every time you have dishes. But if you run your dishwasher... read more

• Last updated 9/26/11 by stins

Love the idea of a green summer lawn as much as you hate the idea of it's environmental cost?  Read on for some simple ideas you can put into use to help grow a lawn that will use less water, has fewer weeds and doesn't require chemicals that will cause harmfull runoff or be tracked into your home.   Raise your lawnmower's height.  Taking off more than 1/3 of the height of the grass at any one time will seriously hurt your lawn's ability to photosynthesize.  Leaving a taller lawn will not mean you have to mow more frequently.  Like all plants, grass relies on... read more

• Last updated 3/30/11 by stins

Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time for getting together with family and friends. It means that summer is on its way, the kids are getting ready to finish school and neighborhood pools are officially opening. It’s also an ideal time to have an outdoor picnic or barbecue that supports your eco-lifestyle!   Since most people have Memorial Monday off, the 3 day weekend leaves many options open for celebrating the holiday. One option that you should consider is learning how to have a green Memorial Day weekend. If you can make this weekend eco-friendly, then you... read more

• Last updated 3/30/11 by stins

Halloween is the season for ghosts, goblins, costumes, and candy.  But is there a way to celebrate a green Halloween (which of course is still spooky and fun for all)? A great organization called Green Halloween tells us absolutely yes.  In this interview with Lynn Colwell of Green Halloween, we learned lots of tips and tricks for how to green up this ghoulish holiday. The Three R's For Halloween from Green Halloween: Reduce – Instead of handing out handfuls of candy to each little ghost and goblin, consider giving just one of something. You’ll save money... read more

• Last updated 3/30/11 by stins

Your carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases that are produced by all of your everyday activities, and it is measured in units of carbon dioxide. Your activities can include everything from driving a car to brushing your teeth, so just by reducing the amount of greenhouse gas-producing activities you do every day, you can help preserve the environment. So what can you do as a college student to be more green and eco-conscious? Here are 11 steps you can take:   Wash, Don’t Throw: It’s always a good idea to keep some form of kitchenware in... read more

• Last updated 3/30/11 by stins

How To Get Tax Credits For Energy Efficiency Home Improvements Assess if your home improvement project qualifies. Tax credits are available for projects like adding insulation, replacing windows, and adding some high efficiency heating and cooling equipment. For more specific information, see the EPAct Summary of Tax Credits for Homeowners from Energy Star. Between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2007, the maximum amount of homeowner credit for all improvements is $500. If you are starting from scratch with new home construction, your... read more

• Last updated 9/26/11 by stins

Moving in and out of a home or apartment is never fun. The idea of lugging tons of boxes, spending hours cleaning your old abode and driving miles away with a jam-packed car is more than enough to make the average person cringe. Not only is it not fun to move, but it's also very harmful to the environment. You accumulate excess waste from throwing out old possessions and packing boxes, and you release carbon dioxide into the air making several trips in your car. If you practice living green there are several steps that you can take to make your moving experience... read more

• Last updated 9/26/11 by stins

Ask questions. Consider asking your travel providers (tour operators and hotels) the following questions that are suggested by Lonely Planet: How are they dealing with the main environmental issues facing them? Do they employ local guides, leaders and staff and provide training opportunities? Do they limit the size of their groups to minimize environmental and social impact? Do they have a 'green' purchasing policy? Do they work with the local community? If so, what proportion of their revenue is redirected to that... read more

• Last updated 7/19/12 by Cindy2

Choose wisely. Even though that great shirt may look cool on the rack, if it doesn’t fit in your wardrobe, think twice. Take care of your clothes. There’s no need to wash your car in your new work suit. By taking care of your garments, you can extend their useful lives. Follow instructions on label. Hang drying or air drying adds considerable life to all clothes. Get clothes repaired or altered instead of buying something new. Think long and hard about clothes that need to be dry cleaned. Dry cleaning processes frequently involve the use of perc (also... read more