Green living tips

Recycling And Reusing Greeting Cards

michael@greenlivingtips.com (Green Living Tips) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Do you have a stash of greeting cards - Xmas, birthday, or whatever occasion - that you really don't want to keep any more? The recycling bin is certainly a greener option than disposing of them with your household waste, but they can also be reused.

Amazing spider silk

michael@greenlivingtips.com (Green Living Tips) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0700

A fear of spiders isn't uncommon, although often unfounded. Sometimes fear can be turned into fascination once we understand more about something. A fascinating aspect of spiders is the silk they produce to spin a web, which is the strongest natural or synthetic fiber known.

Environmental Impact Of Contrails

michael@greenlivingtips.com (Green Living Tips) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Contrail is short for condensation trail, a streak of artificial cloud made by jet aircraft engine exhaust; also known as a vapour trail. Contrails aren't just a form of visual pollution to some; they are also thought to have an impact on climate.

Recycling used engine oil

michael@greenlivingtips.com (Green Living Tips) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Millions of gallons of used engine oil are dumped annually instead of recycled. Learn more about the importance of recycling used engine oil and how you can locate collection points in the USA, Canada, UK and Australia.

Avoiding greenwashing

michael@greenlivingtips.com (Green Living Tips) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0700

While it's great to see what would appear to be concern from many businesses in regard to the environment, consumers need to be able to recognize greenwashing when making a purchase decision.

CFL disposal and recycling

michael@greenlivingtips.com (Green Living Tips) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Compact Fluorescent Lamps have been gaining popularity due to incandescent bulbs being phased out, price decreases and their energy saving attributes - but disposing of the bulbs poses a challenge as CFL's contain a small amount of an environmental nasty - mercury.

US Incandescent Light Bulb Phaseout

michael@greenlivingtips.com (Green Living Tips) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0700

In a small but important victory for the environment, the US incandescent light bulb phase-out has begun - albeit amid some confusion. Here's what you need to know.

One green thing

michael@greenlivingtips.com (Green Living Tips) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0700

What's one green action you have undertaken in 2011 to reduce your environmental impact? Add yours to this article and read a bunch of others from other readers that may give you some ideas for your continuing green living journey in 2012.

Don't Waste Unwanted Gifts

michael@greenlivingtips.com (Green Living Tips) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0700

An Australian charity estimates the value of last year's discarded/unwanted Christmas gifts was more than $750 million - that's a lot of money for such a small country and represents a big impact on the environment. The damage done, these unwanted gifts shouldn't go to waste.

Uses for olive oil

michael@greenlivingtips.com (Green Living Tips) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Olive oil has been in use by humanity for many thousands of years. It's a remarkable product with many applications beyond cooking and can be used as a green alternative to harsh chemical compounds we commonly use around the home. Pick up a bunch of handy tips and add your own!

Solar panel basics

michael@greenlivingtips.com (Green Living Tips) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Take a some silicon, glass, aluminium and wiring, apply some rays from the sun and you have a electricity generation system running on renewable energy. A part of my beginners guide series on solar power, learn more about how solar panels work, the different types and costs involved.

Help Solar Light The Developing World

michael@greenlivingtips.com (Green Living Tips) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0700

For millions of people around the world, the simple act of lighting a room is not only an environmental hazard, but presents a direct health risk. We can help change that - for as little as 10 bucks.

Environmentally friendly banks

michael@greenlivingtips.com (Green Living Tips) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0700

A really green bank is one that goes way beyond using paper made with recycled content. A financial institution's environmental street cred should also be gauged by its investments and which industries it loans money to.

Online shopping and the environment

michael@greenlivingtips.com (Green Living Tips) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0700

By doing more of your shopping online you can save on fuel, emissions and probably score a bargain on the way. Aside from environmental and financial benefits; it's also highly unlikely you'll be maced, shot, stabbed or crushed.

Green christmas trees

michael@greenlivingtips.com (Green Living Tips) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0700

What type of Christmas tree is more environmentally friendly, fake or fir? What about some other alternatives?

What Is Certified Wood?

michael@greenlivingtips.com (Green Living Tips) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0700

There are dozens of wood certification programs around the world - so what does the term "certified wood" mean and can these certifications be trusted to indicate truly environmentally friendly wood products?

Better, greener gifts

michael@greenlivingtips.com (Green Living Tips) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0700

When thinking about a gift for someone, consider giving something to someone else on their behalf; such as an environmental group or other worthy cause. Here's a few ideas to consider this holiday season (or any time).

Earth friendly mouthwash

michael@greenlivingtips.com (Green Living Tips) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Some mouthwashes can contain nasty chemicals such as formaldehyde, sodium lauryl sulfate and polysorbate. What you don't accidentally swallow, just winds up in the environment, in particular, waterways.

Green Cool And Green Weird

michael@greenlivingtips.com (Green Living Tips) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Many of us want to be considered individuals, but also have a need for acceptance; which requires a good deal of conformity. Some people's green journey can be negatively affected by this.

Greener Rat Catching

michael@greenlivingtips.com (Green Living Tips) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0600

Rats stir up repulsion in many, but like us, they are just trying to get by. Unfortunately, co-existence in many cases is not an option; but before reaching for rat poison or snap traps, consider some more environmentally friendly alternatives.