This can be quite a dilemma. On the one hand, you don’t want to be wasteful and throw out something that could be repaired. On the other hand, you don’t want to repair something only to have it break again…and again. The key is always to try to fix something first, then consider other options only when repair is not feasible. Here are some ideas and items that you may be trying to decide to repair or replace. Read the rest of this entry

Your pillow is a source of soft comfort and a good night’s sleep. But it can also be a source of allergens, primarily dust mites. Because your face and head rest on the pillow all night, your exposure is inescapable. You spend about 1/3 of every day lying on your pillow. So if you have allergies, it’s a good idea to maintain an allergy-free pillow along with the rest of your bedding. Read the rest of this entry

Pet stores can be such fun to visit. The animals are so cute behind the glass windows, especially the dogs. They roll around, look cute, and often charm pet store customers into buying them. But where did that puppy come from? It’s a good question, and often the answer is: a puppy mill.

While not all pet stores obtain their stock from puppy mills, nearly all puppy mills sell to pet shops. The likelihood that the doggy in the window came from a puppy mill is very high. Read the rest of this entry

Going back to school means hitting the retail stores and stocking up on all kinds of stuff, right? Well, maybe it means that for some, but the eco-conscious are looking for ways to go green when they get ready to go back to school.

1. The Lunchbox

Remember your lunchbox as a kid? Was it festooned with Star Wars characters, Rainbow Brite, Smurfs, or Superman? Well, times have changed but the principle has not – lunchboxes reduce waste. Go for a used one at an antique store for a retro look, or invest in a reusable cooler bag. Thermoses are still great for transporting drinks and soup. Don’t forget the cloth napkin and reusable flatware. Read the rest of this entry

Oh no! You forgot your dad’s birthday or Mother’s Day, and by the time you remember, it’s the day before! To get your gift there on time, you’ll need overnight shipping, right? That’s true, but see if Dad or Mom will be forgiving if you send them their gifts via ground delivery. Why? Because overnight shipping is so much worse for the environment.

Here are some reasons why. Read the rest of this entry