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How to be green and save green this school year

Posted on August 25th, 2011 by Alexis Cala 1 Comment
Green school year image

Courtesy of GenBug (via Flickr)

Whether classes have already started or your kids are just getting ready to go back to school, there are some great tips out there to make this school year cheaper and greener.

So, don’t miss out on your chance to make this school year easier on your entire family and your wallet!

Wisebread offers these 6 ways to green your back to school season, here are 3 of our faves:

  1. Check for last year ‘leftovers’ – pens, paper, binders, etc. that are unopened or half-used are still good! Take advantage of the supplies you still have from last year. Of course, if there’s nothing leftover, take a look at these school supply savings and coupons and deals in your area.
  2. Dig through their closet – figure out what still fits and what doesn’t, then find other parents to do a clothing swap with or make some extra money and sell them online or at a garage sale. Buy used at thrift stores, garage sales, or swaps and try repurposing old clothes before you buy new.
  3. Save money on getting them from point A to point B – instead of driving them to and from school which is hard on your car, wallet and the environment, opt for a bike ride or walk to school (if you can) or try the bus. Be sure to check out all of the benefits of walking and these tips on safely getting your kids to school.
Looking for more ways to make the year easier on your family? Here are just a few back to school savings and tips you don’t want to miss!

3 tips to going green, saving green, and being healthier one meat-free day a week

Posted on July 19th, 2011 by Alley Pezanoski-Browne 2 Comments

Vegetarianism is a life choice that clearly isn’t for everyone. But many say that cutting down on the amount of meat you eat can have a major environmental and economic impact, even if you’re just going meatless one day a week. Try these fun, often delicious ways to go meatless once a week.

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50 things you can recycle

Posted on July 15th, 2011 by Alley Pezanoski-Browne 7 Comments

Courtesy of Squidoo

Buying green is great, but really the best way to live sustainably is to reduce your consumption and to recycle what you have.

The website Squidoo comes to rescue with a list of 50 things you can recycle. Here are some of the highlights:

#1 Old bricks can be recycled and are apparently valuable to some folks.

#5 There are many creative ways to use VHS tape, like VHS yarn, fly swatters, or insulation.

#10 Donate, sell, or reuse old kid toys.

#11 There are several (at least, 21) ways to reuse prescription pill bottles.

#20 Aveda will recycle your old bottle caps.

#22 Try one of these 25 ways to reuse old jeans

#32 Whole Foods accepts and recycles #5 Plastics.

#42 Even bread twist ties can have a second life.

#44 Sell your old books on Amazon.

#47 Turn recycled greeting cards into gift boxes.

And again, check out the entire list here.

Green jobs are still growing

Posted on July 14th, 2011 by Alexis Cala 3 Comments

Did you know that the “green” or “clean” economy employs 2.7 million workers? That’s right, renewable energy projects are creating more jobs, more quickly than any other! Learn more about the jobs that might be right for you.

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Free video help: Save money, save the environment, save paper

Posted on June 22nd, 2011 by Alley Pezanoski-Browne 4 Comments

Most households buy a lot of paper products, whether it’s toilet paper, paper towels, or notebook paper. Around the world, we’re using about 1 million tons of paper a day. But there are ways that you can save money and the environment by using paper wisely.

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Turn your recycled waste into upcycled fun

Posted on June 20th, 2011 by Alexis Cala No Comments

Even though we know it’s good for the environment, recycling isn’t always the most exciting chore. Sadly, between sorting, crushing and taking paper off, it’s easier to just throw it in the garbage. But what if recycling was fun and saved you money as well as waste? Check out this nifty contraption and see what you can upcycle!

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Free video help: How do you transform an ugly lot? Try a guerilla garden!

Posted on May 20th, 2011 by Alley Pezanoski-Browne No Comments

Every city and town has them. Those abandoned lots that sit there doing nothing but look sad. What if every one of those spaces was transformed into a guerilla garden? Perhaps May 21st, the first ever National Kids to Parks Day is a good day to start your own create your own mini-park! So, where do you begin?

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How improving your air quality can help your asthma

Posted on May 2nd, 2011 by Alley Pezanoski-Browne No Comments

It’s been found that there is connection between low-income neighborhoods and higher rates of air pollution. What are some things you can do to improve the air quality in your home and in your community, no matter what kind of neighborhood you live in?

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