Editor’s Note:  I am bringing this post forward to my front page, because of its relevance and importance.  It is my hope and desire that you will make recycling, and your own personal waste management, a top priority.

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It is the third R in the term reduce, reuse, and recycle. It is the re-making of old materials into useful new products.  The goal of recycling is to reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials and energy usage, which then reduces green house gas emissions. By  recycling, we also lower the  amount of raw waste that would otherwise end up in our landfills. Recycling is the key component in waste management as we know it today.

The convenience of recycling at your curb-side now serves half of the U.S. population.  The top five most recycled items are paper, plastic, glass, aluminum and steel/tin cans.

In 2007, my area implemented the use of single stream recycling.  The company provides 65 to 94 gallon carts in which all materials are commingled.  This means that households no longer have to separate their materials into recycling bins.  Evidence has already proven that this method has increased the quantity of household recyclables.

My area also has a recycle depot.  I have not had garbage service for years, because of an altercation with the company.  I set up my own system in my garage.  It consists of two 32 gallon trash cans, one for plastic and one for trash,and 4 blue recylce bins for newspaper, magazines/junk mail, glass, and cans. We also have an area to break down and stack cardboard. When my children were still home we went to the dump every other Saturday.  Now, my husband goes once every 4-6 weeks, with one 32 gallon bag.  They know him at the dump, and the most they ever charge him is $3.00.  Many times they let him go for free because they know he is a disabled vet.  The average rate for disposal in my area is about $35 a month.  That’s a pretty good savings for not very much work.

Written in association with waste management experts

When it comes to saving money and the environment, I jump at the chance to champion a cause I believe in. The thing I like about this program, is you are saving storage space and cutting down on clutter around the house. You are saving time by not having to recycle, and most importantly you are saving trees and helping the environment. I think this is a win-win answer for anyone’s reading pleasure. Read the rest of this entry »

Yes, there are safe and sensible ways to keep your food fresh, while minimizing your exposure to the potentially harmful chemicals found in plastic.

Here are some tips and pointers to help you make the safest choices for your food storage. You may already have some safer options such as corning ware, pyrex, and stainless steel canisters tucked away in your cupboards. Start searching , go to yard sales, and get on with making those changes.

Plastic contains chemical additives known to leach out when exposed to heat. Leaching may increase the risk of birth defects, developmental delays, certain hormonal disfunctions, and even breast and prostate cancers. Several university studies have indicated that leaching occurs when ANY type of plastic containers are used to heat food in the microwave. Another place leaching happens is in the dishwasher.

Rule of thumb is NEVER use ANY plastic, plastic wrap, tupperware, or styrofoam in the microwave. It is also best to wash plastic containers by hand in warm soapy water. This reduces the possibility of chemical leaching. Don’t ever use harsh cleansers or abrasive sponges on plastic. It can cause scratches in the plastic, which then causes chemical migration (leaching) from the plastic. If you have scratches or gouges in your plastic containers – ditch them IMMEDIATELY!

So, in your microwave only use microwave safe glass or ceramic cookware. Don’t use any plastic or plastic wrap. Cover food with paper or paper towel when microwaving.  Don’t use recycled paper towels because they could contain metallic flecks from ground up staples and ink that can be combustable.

In your fridge, use glass, ceramic, stainless steel, or PVC-free plastic wrap. Don’t use any type of plastic container that can leave a residue.  Scouring destroys the integrity of plastic.  Don’t ever store or cover hot food with or in any type of plastic. Always let it cool for at least twenty minutes before storing in your fridge.

For packing lunches choose foil, waxed, or butcher paper for wrapping sandwiches. If you like to use bags, use the ones made from number 4 plastic. For water, glass or stainless steel is best, or pitchers made from number 2 or 5 plastic.  Don’t use pitchers from number 7 (polycarbonate) plastic. For freezing, use foil, freezer paper, or number 4 plastic freezer bags.  Don’t use any glass or plastic containers that are not labeled Freezer Safe. The extreme cold can cause them to crack.  As mentioned before, allow food to cool before storing in the fridge or freezer.  For your pantry storage, glass, stainless steel and aluminum canisters are best or number 5 plastic.  Don’t store food in any plastic containers marked with 3(polyvinyl chloride) 6 PS (polystyrene) or 7 PC (polycarbonate).

Most plastics currently on the market are made from crude oil. There are also biodegradable, recyclable and compostable plastics made from starches such as rice, soy, and corn. These bio-based plastics comprise only 3% of the $280 billion plastic market. Concern has been expressed about the use of fertilizers and pesticides used in the growth of these grains, and then turning them into plastics.  Any bio-based products are better for your health, and are more of an earth and eco-friendly option, than any petroleum based products or counterparts.

It might be easier said than done. It’s everywhere and in almost every area of our everyday life. From baby bottles, trash-can liners, milk jugs, baggies, toys, toothbrushes and vinyl shower curtains. Almost everything that enters our home is packaged, wrapped or coated with some type of plastic.

As plastic weakens, ages or becomes exposed to heat, it can release harmful toxins such as BHA (bisphenol-a and phthalates). These harmful chemicals enter our bodies by way of the food we eat, water we drink, dust particles in the air we breathe and even by way of skin absorbtion.

Animal studies, especially during pregnancy have associated BPA to illnesses such as cancer and reproductive problems. Studies in humans show weakened sperm quality in males, and early puberty in girls. BPA is a known carcinogen and has been found to disrupt the endocrine system, as well as, disrupt hormone balance. 92% of children over the age of six, test positive for BPA in their system.

What you can do right now is avoid toys with #3 vinyl or #7 polycarbonate. Never heat anything in take-out food containers in the microwave. Only use glass or microwave safe containers covered with wax paper, or paper towel. Avoid #3-PVC, #6 Polystyrene and #7 polycarbonate. If you must use plastic, look for #’s 1,2,4 and 5.

I have converted most of my plastic containers to glass. It is easy to go from cooking, to storing, to freezing and re-heating with glass. Stainless steel and thermos are also good choices to use. It’s not an easy process going from plastic to glass, but well worth you health!

Here is a chart for download and printing to make your shopping safer and easier. Just keep it with you and you’ll always make an informed choice.

Written in association with plastic disposal experts

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Quick Start

Here are a few tips you can put into practice right away that take little effort and your wallet will thank-you.

Did you know that Americans idle away approximately 2.9 billion gallons of gas a year?  With the prices going up almost daily, that is almost $80 billion a year in wasted gas. Obviously, the less you have to stop and go the better. It also helps to maintain a steady, rather than fluctuating speed. Also, be sure your tires have the correct amount of air in them.  Just little things, but they make a difference in the air we breathe and in your wallet.

Just by turning off your computer when not in use, you can save about $90 a year. You can also save more by unplugging small appliances when not in use.  Every little bit helps, because even though it doesn’t seem like it, everything that is left plugged in still uses energy.

By signing up for Green Power, you are supporting the future development of renewable resources. Green Power, is electricity from renewable non- polluting resources like wind and solar power, that can be used over and over. Green Power usage does less harm to the environment.  Turning down your thermostat a couple of degrees can save you between 1-3% on your power bill. It might not seem like much, but it can add up considering 50-70% of your electric bill is calculated based on your heating and cooling consumption.  Wash your clothes in cold water.  This also makes a difference in your power bill.

Paying your bills online saves you time, money gas, and stamps.  It also saves on the amount of paper used to send you that bill.  To get rid of junk mail you can sign up ($1.00 fee ) at Mail Preference Service on Direct Market Assistance website. Most junk mail will stop within about 90 days. To stop opt-in offers from cluttering your mailbox, you can call 1-888-5-OPTOUT.  Follow the instructions, and you can opt out for 5 years or for life.  Next, it takes a little work with our at home printers but it can save a lot of paper if you print on both sides of the copy paper.  Here in the U.S. we use approximately 4 million tons of copy paper per year, most of which is copied on one side only.  That averages out to about 27-30 lbs. per person per year.

You can keep a lot of dirt, pesticides, and germs from entering your home and causing allergies or illness, just by taking your shoes off outside your door.  Something else to consider is to drink hormone free milk. It’s a healthier alternative. Thank goodness it’s the time of the year to start enjoying the wholesome freshness of the farmers markets for fresh fruits and veggies.  Here’s to your health and your wallet.