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

What form of burial to choose is of great concern to many, but for those who are eco-conscious, the concerns are specifically related to being eco-friendly.

You may wonder if conventional burial practices are harmful to the earth. In truth, conventional burial is not particularly green. Trees must be cut to make the coffin, and embalming fluids like formaldehyde and methanol are not earth-friendly. Another concern is the use of land for conventional burial. The earth itself must be dug up and cemetery plots take up space. Read the rest of this entry

The office can be a wasteful place. Paper, plastic water bottles, defunct office equipment, toner cartridges, pens, and so on, float around and often end up getting discarded. This kind of waste in the workplace is of growing concern. Setting up a recycling scheme at work can help. Here are some easy ways to make that happen. Read the rest of this entry

When the weather gets warmer, do you automatically change your thermostat from heat to air conditioning? Before you make the switch, consider some easy ways you can keep your house cool this summer. You’ll save money and energy and still be comfortable. Read the rest of this entry