ArcaMax

Even when they're unlit, scented candles can release small amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and fragrance chemicals into the air, especially when left exposed in a warm room. If you love the scent but aren't burning the candle, keep it covered with its lid or store it in a closed container to help contain the fragrance. For an even ...Read more

Before buying new sporting equipment, check out Play It Again Sports, a resale retailer specializing in used gear for activities ranging from baseball and basketball to golf, hockey and cycling. Buying pre-owned equipment gives perfectly good items a second life, keeps usable materials out of landfills and can save you money in the process. You ...Read more

With the holiday season approaching, add one more request to your party invitation: Bring a reusable container. At the end of the gathering, guests can pack up extra appetizers, desserts and other leftovers to enjoy later instead of letting good food go to waste. Between Thanksgiving and New Year's, an estimated 1 million additional tons of food...Read more

The next time you use an app to order food, make a few simple choices to reduce waste. Look for restaurants offering reusable takeout containers through services like DeliverZero (on the DoorDash app), which uses reusable containers that you return within the required time frame. Skip disposable utensils, extra napkins and condiment packets you ...Read more

If you wear disposable contact lenses, never flush them down the toilet or rinse them down the sink. These tiny plastic lenses can pass through wastewater treatment systems and contribute to microplastic pollution in waterways. Instead, place used lenses in the trash, following the manufacturer's disposal instructions. Even better, ask your eye-...Read more

Winter utility bills can keep you up at night, but lowering your thermostat at bedtime may help in more ways than one. The National Sleep Foundation has traditionally recommended a bedroom temperature of 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit for comfortable sleep, although the ideal temperature varies from person to person. Turning down the heat while you...Read more

Before tossing beauty products that didn't work out or have passed their expiration date, consider whether they can be repurposed. A thoroughly cleaned mascara wand makes a handy tool for scrubbing dirt from jewelry settings and watch links. Unwanted nail polish can add a pop of color to the stems of wineglasses, giving them a personalized touch...Read more

Before tossing an empty chip bag, candy wrapper or juice pouch, tear it completely open down both sides so it lays flat. Small animals -- including birds, squirrels, raccoons and skunks -- can be attracted to crumbs and food odors left inside. If they stick their heads into an unopened package, their neck or face can become trapped, potentially ...Read more

Before buying a brand-new pair of shoes, check a thrift store, resale site or consignment shop for a pre-owned pair. Manufacturing a new pair of shoes can generate roughly 13 to 35 kilograms of CO2e, depending on the materials and construction. Buying secondhand extends the life of shoes that have already been made and avoids the emissions ...Read more

The next time you grab a coffee to go, consider leaving the plastic lid behind. Studies have found that heat can increase the release of microplastics from some disposable plastic beverage container lids. Instead, let your coffee cool slightly and drink it without the lid, or bring a reusable cup with a stainless-steel lid. Many coffee shops now...Read more

Plastic containers of lighter fluid and motor oil are often stamped with a No. 2 recycling symbol. While No. 2 is a commonly recycled variety of plastic, these containers are not. The reason is simple: Plastic containers that once held flammable liquids like these are not recyclable. The residual oil inside can ignite during processing, and it ...Read more

Plastic caps on containers of juice, soda and water are now recyclable, but they should not be left in place on the bottles. When plastic bottles are compressed during the baling process, a tightly screwed-on lid or cap can prevent bottles from compressing. The solution? Leave the cap only ever-so-slightly on the bottle rather than twisting it ...Read more

If your white clothing still has a strong bleach scent after it dries, think twice before wearing it. Residual bleach can irritate the skin, causing itching, redness and rashes, and its fumes may be uncomfortable for people with respiratory sensitivities. If your clothes smell strongly of bleach, simply re-wash them without detergent or bleach. ...Read more

When dust collects under an appliance like a refrigerator, the reduced airflow can force it to work harder to keep things cold or frozen. A simple trick is to vacuum away the dust, but often the extension hose on a vacuum isn’t long enough or narrow enough at the opening to squeeze underneath. To remedy this, simply take a cardboard paper-...Read more

Every extra pound you bring aboard a plane adds to the aircraft's fuel consumption and carbon emissions. In fact, carrying just 5 fewer pounds of luggage could make a meaningful difference if every U.S. traveler did the same. That's roughly the weight of three or four hardcover books, or a large laptop. Before you zip your suitcase, take a few ...Read more

Sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases can take a lot of energy to dry because they're bulky and hold plenty of water. Instead of sending them through the dryer, hang them outside on a clothesline or drying rack when weather permits. Air-drying uses no electricity or gas, while also avoiding the heat and tumbling that can contribute to fabric wear...Read more

Yes, the collection of old books in your home could be cash in your hands, and there's no need to set up a yard sale to get it! The website Cash4Books.net makes it simple: All you do is type in the International Standard Book Number (ISBN), which is a unique identifier given to each edition of every book in the world. The website will tell you ...Read more

If your flour is a year old or smells rancid, don't eat it -- put it to work around the house. Use it to clean a grimy deck of playing cards: Place the cards in a paper bag with about 1/4 cup of old flour, close the bag and shake well. The flour helps absorb the oils, grease and dirt that accumulate from years of handling. Remove the cards and ...Read more

Many of us like to buy suet balls or bird food that comes in mesh bags (which help keep the birdseed together when you hang them outside). While for the most part our feathered friends can get a healthy meal or snack from these, there is a chance they can get entangled in the mesh bags. When the suet or bird food gets low, it creates air pockets...Read more

Are you planning a getaway to a warm beach destination? In addition to researching airfare, hotels and activities for your vacation, checking beach contamination conditions for where you're going is key, too. Local beaches that are not healthy can put you and your family at risk for bacteria, viruses and pathogens. Contamination from stormwater ...Read more