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Do Just One Thing
Danny Seo
Empty spray sunscreen cans are recyclable, but there's a hitch: Make sure it's truly empty so it can be recycled. Press the nozzle until all of the product and propellant have been released -- you should no longer hear any hissing or spraying sounds. Never puncture, crush or try to manually vent the can. Once it's empty, remove the plastic cap and spray nozzle, and place those in the trash. The empty metal canister can then be recycled with other metal containers in normal curbside recycling bins.
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Don't toss broken or outdated wired headphones in the trash. While they don't contain lithium-ion batteries like wireless earbuds (e.g. AirPods), they still include copper wiring and plastic components that can be recycled through specialized e-waste recycling programs. Major retailers like Best Buy and Staples accept wired headphones for free. Simply drop them off at a customer service desk or designated recycling kiosk to ensure valuable materials are recovered and kept out of landfills.
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A few simple habits can make your backyard barbecue more energy-efficient. Keep the grill lid closed whenever possible to trap heat inside -- every time you lift the lid, valuable heat escapes, causing your grill to burn more fuel. Maximize that heat by batch-cooking several items at once, reducing overall cooking time and fuel consumption. And don't forget routine maintenance: A clean grill heats more evenly and efficiently than one coated with grease and food residue.
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To help with cleanup and extend the life of your bakeware, consider silicone liners. Silicone bakeware and liners that go on top of existing metal bakeware are naturally nonstick, and they're safe -- they do not leach any harmful chemicals into your food when you use them. They are a breeze to clean, and they also allow you to bake, roast and microwave food without the need for extra oil or grease. While silicone is not recyclable or biodegradable, it is highly durable and is considered ocean-friendly, too.
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Here are a few reasons from the animal kingdom to avoid setting off fireworks for special events. In addition to making companion animals like dogs anxious and causing panic attacks, they can affect other types of wildlife as well. Bees get disoriented by the loud noise of fireworks and can't make it back to their hives. This often causes them to die. And birds have panic attacks as well, which can cause extreme distress to the point of large clusters of death. Skip the fireworks and look for other ways to celebrate.
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Sadly, it's not uncommon to see a landscaping sprinkler system running at full power during a rainstorm. However, it's not the mark of a wasteful homeowner; it's because the sprinkler system is on an automatic timer. To fix this problem (and save water and money), have a rain sensor added to your sprinkler system. The sensor determines whether enough rainfall has occurred to skip an irrigation cycle. If the sensor detects enough rain, it breaks the electrical connection to your sprinkler system so it won't turn on. It's easy to install and makes your sprinkler system more efficient.
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When ordering floral arrangements, there are some simple steps you can take to lessen your carbon footprint. Since imported blooms are often flown thousands of miles or grown in energy-intensive heated greenhouses, look for flowers that naturally thrive in your region and season. In spring, opt for tulips, daffodils, snapdragons and lilacs. Summer brings an abundance of sunflowers, peonies, zinnias, cosmos and cornflowers. For year-round greenery, consider dried flowers, eucalyptus, ferns or olive branches. And request that no floral foam be used, since it's not biodegradable and contains microplastics.