ArcaMax

If your yard has a diseased tree or bush that you need to prune or remove completely, be sure to properly disinfect your gardening tools after you've done the task. Dirty blades on pruners can transfer the disease to perfectly healthy plants in your yard. But the good news is that cleaning your gardening tools is pretty simple: Just use warm ...Read more

It may be sold in some health food stores, but be cautious about burning incense sticks in your home. Recent studies suggest that burning incense can be as harmful to your health as smoking cigarettes. Of the 64 toxins identified in incense smoke, two have been classified as “highly toxic,” according to the journal Environmental Chemistry ...Read more

Do you watch TV shows and movies on your phone or laptop? To save energy, consider downloading your entertainment instead of streaming it. While downloading requires a short burst of energy for a large data transfer, it avoids the sustained power demand of real-time streaming, making it a more efficient option overall. If you plan to watch ...Read more

Have you ever been prompted to upgrade your cloud storage because it’s “full”? Consider hitting "no." Data centers are massive energy consumers, responsible for up to 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions -- and that number is growing. Yet nearly 90% of the data we store is never used. Known as “dark data,” it consists of redundant or ...Read more

Did you know it’s often better for the environment to choose a traditional taxi over a ride-sharing app like Uber or Lyft? Studies show that ride-hailing services can increase vehicle emissions by as much as 70% due to “deadheading” -- the time drivers spend cruising without passengers while waiting for ride requests. That extra driving ...Read more

There's one type of seafood that's affordable, nutritionally dense and even helps improve the environment: mussels. According to the National Library of Medicine, mussels are a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, and they produce far less greenhouse gas emissions in comparison to other protein sources such as beef, lamb and pork. ...Read more

One of the easiest ways to lower your carbon emissions and also be safe is to simply drive the speed limit. When posted maximum speeds are around 60 mph, driving that speed versus a faster 75 mph is actually 25% more gas-efficient. Faster speeds create more wind resistance, which equals more overall fuel usage. Of course, hybrid cars are even ...Read more

Even in major cities full of giant skyscrapers, wild animals live among us in green spaces like parks, and they need our help. If you have a dog, always be sure to keep it on a leash; dogs can kill small animals, destroy birds' nests and harass other types of wildlife when allowed to roam free. Avoid putting used gum in outdoor trash receptacles...Read more

Do you invest in the stock market? You might be wondering if your portfolio is eco-friendly or supports sustainable business practices. The ESG rating (short for Environment, Social and Governance) gives companies and mutual funds a score. The higher the ESG score, the better on the environmental scale; low-scoring companies are considered less ...Read more

When it comes to beauty products like makeup, lipstick, brushes and sponges, it can be difficult to keep them clean and germ-free. One of the easiest ways to disinfect products without ruining them is to fill a misting bottle with isopropyl alcohol. Misting the outer layer of makeup products (like directly onto a compact or lipstick) is enough ...Read more

Got ants? There are two easy ways to get them out of your house. First, mix 1/4 cup of peppermint castile liquid soap with a quart of water. Spray the minty, soapy mixture at entry points throughout the house where you see ants. Soap and peppermint is a combination ants hate. Next, take a look at your indoor houseplants, because unfortunately, ...Read more

While planting pollen-rich flowers is a wonderful way to support pollinators like bees, there are several other simple steps you can take to help. Leave some bare, unmulched patches of soil so ground-nesting bees can dig their tunnels. Provide a small salt lick or a sprinkle of sea salt to supply essential minerals. Plant herbs such as dill, ...Read more

After using a pool towel, you might think there’s no need to wash it, since the sun’s hot rays have already dried it back to its normal state. However, you should still wash it. The combination of chlorine from the pool, salt from the ocean, sunscreen and sweat can break down the towel’s fibers if left unwashed. Also, avoid using fabric ...Read more

There have been news reports lately about garments that are labeled as faux fur but are actually made of real fur. The fur comes from animals like rabbits, coyotes and the wild raccoon dog. Since the science and technology for developing faux fur that looks and feels just like the real thing has evolved significantly, you might ask how you can ...Read more

If you use conventional drugstore shaving creams or gels for your face or legs, you may be unknowingly smearing a chemical cocktail on your skin. Typical brands contain chemicals like phthalates, artificial fragrance and triethanolamine, which can be endocrine disrupters, neurotoxins and possible sources of cancer. There's no reason to take the ...Read more

Broccoli is considered to be a super-vegetable by many nutritionists, since the heads are nutrient-dense in vitamins B1, B6, E, calcium, iron, niacin and zinc. But did you know that broccoli leaves aren't just edible and nutrient-rich, but also really delicious? Just as nutritious as kale, broccoli leaves shouldn't be tossed into the trash. Just...Read more

Many people raise chickens in their backyard as a hobby or to enjoy a steady supply of fresh eggs. It's well known that chickens will eat almost anything fresh, including vegetable trimmings and even discarded eggshells. However, you should avoid feeding them avocado skins and pits, because they contain a toxin called persin, which can cause ...Read more

If you collect paper items like magazines, junk mail and newspaper in a shopping bag for recycling, be careful which type of bag you use. Shopping bags that are made from glossy paper or have plastic handles are not good options; they are hard to recycle and need to be sorted into a different paper category at the recycling facility. Instead, ...Read more

If you want to attract more birds to your yard, there's no need to have bird feeders full of seed everywhere. Instead, eliminate all chemical insecticides from your backyard. According to the National Wildlife Federation, our feathered friends love to hunt and eat insects because it's their primary source of protein. When a yard is treated to ...Read more

It's time to ditch plastic bowls and plates -- no matter how durable they seem -- in favor of glass or ceramic. Over time, plastic dinnerware can release millions of microplastics into your food. This can happen when you microwave meals, wash items in the dishwasher or use plastic plates for highly acidic foods. In fact, just three minutes of ...Read more