ArcaMax

While plastic containers are perfect for recycling, containers that formerly held oil or other flammable liquids are not welcome at recycling centers. That's because those substances pose special problems during the recycling process, including creating flash points and changing the chemical composition of plastics. Containers that once held ...Read more

When you buy new skin care, makeup or other beauty products at stores, you’ll often receive free samples or even free full-size products as part of a loyalty club. If you have a stash of unused beauty products at home, why not donate them to help people in need? The nonprofit Project Beauty Share connects donated new products to people who ...Read more

Plants need light for photosynthesis, and to thrive and be healthy over time. You might think placing a plant near a lamp is just as good as placing it near a sunny window, but the reality is sunlight has red and blue spectra light, which is what plants need most to grow. Traditional light bulbs lack the spectra light plants need, and while “...Read more

Gold prices are at an all-time high, and many are turning their scrap gold into cold, hard cash. But if you think pure gold can only come from broken jewelry or coins, think again: You might have some scrap gold in unexpected places. One unusual place is old dentures! They contain scrap gold and silver inside that can easily be salvaged and ...Read more

New recycling technologies now allow you to leave plastic caps on bottles when recycling. The sorting machinery can now separate the caps from the bottles. Just give the bottle a quick rinse before reattaching the cap. By leaving caps on, you help prevent small pieces from becoming litter, and the cap plastic itself is valuable to recyclers, ...Read more

While some popular houseplants thrive indoors, they should never be transplanted outdoors, where they can become invasive. The snake plant, for example, spreads rapidly through underground shoots and can crowd out native species. Similarly, the rubber plant grows aggressively outside and can overwhelm surrounding vegetation. These plants are ...Read more

With forecasts predicting one of the coldest winters on record, there are simple ways to stay warm while staying eco-friendly. Use natural sunlight to your advantage -- open curtains and blinds during the day to let in heat, then close them at night to help insulate your home. Clear snow as soon as it falls to prevent it from turning into ice, ...Read more

Flying can take a toll on the environment, but a few simple choices can make your trip more eco-friendly. Opt for daytime flights instead of nighttime ones, because contrails and cirrus clouds formed by aircraft trap heat and contribute to warming only at night. During the day, these clouds actually help reflect sunlight back into space, ...Read more

Wondering what to do with those old pumpkins and gourds from your front porch? The easiest option is to toss them into your compost bin, where they’ll naturally break down into nutrient-rich mulch. No compost bin? No problem: Just dig a hole and bury them directly in the ground. They’ll decompose quickly and enrich your soil. If you’d ...Read more