Do you use a disposable razor? According to Ideal Bite, 2 billion disposable razors end up in US landfills every year. Read more…

Wood for Good Floor Care from Method has a light almond scent that freshens up the room and smells natural, not chemical.

It did a great job on my old hardwoods, and it’s super easy to use. It comes in a convenient squeeze bottle. Just squirt it on the floor (the bottle advises testing in an inconspicuous spot first) and mop immediately. I rinsed the mop out in my bathtub and avoided the dreaded mop bucket completely.

Method products not only smell great and clean effectively, but they’re non-toxic, biodegradable, and not tested on animals.

You can order Wood for Good Floor Care and other Method products directly from their website, or pick some up at your local grocery store.

Another Eco-Friendly Tip from Allie.

You know there are other options out there, but you just can’t bear to part with a less than eco-friendly product. Everyone has a vice. Find creative ways to reduce the impact of the non-green products you use.

If you’re hooked on paper towels, make a pact with yourself to get the most out of every paper towel you use. Use one to dry your hands, wipe down the counter, and scrub at a spot on the floor before you retire it to the garbage.

If you’re addicted to pre-soaped face wash cloths, cut them in half and get twice as many uses from a package. Use the cloth to clean your sink after you wash your face.

Dilute your dish soap and get more uses. Cut your dryer sheets in half. Throw a little baking soda in the washing machine and use a little less detergent.

What are your ideas for getting more out of the products you use? Leave a comment and let us know!

Another Eco-Friendly Tip from Allie.

Turn your morning ritual into an earth-friendly one.

Start by switching over to Fair Trade organic beans, like Newman’s Own Organics Coffee.

According to Nell Newman:

“Fair Trade certification means that farmers in coffee producing countries worldwide can enjoy a better life.”

Newman’s Own Organics uses the profit from their coffee to help women in Oaxaca, Mexico raise chickens organically, to strengthen their household income and provide their families with a healthy source of protein. You can find Newman’s Own Coffee in many of your local stores, and here.

Next, switch to a reusable coffee filter made of cotton, hemp, or gold.

And if you like your coffee light and sweet, use organic milk or soymilk, and organic sugar or sucanat.

Enjoy!

Another Eco-Friendly Tip from Allie.

When I walked my dog yesterday, the neighborhood was buzzing with the sounds of machinery. I expected as much. It’s about time for the first mow of the season here, but as I walked around the block, I realized that most of the buzzing was not lawn related. One of my neighbors was powerwashing his driveway. Several others were using leaf blowers. Read more…

I used Ecover Delicate Wash to wash some bras and a sweater, and was really impressed. It’s suitable for top and front loading washing machines, but I decided to handwash.

It has a very light citrus-y scent and cleaned well. Five minutes was all it took to get my laundry clean. One of the reasons I hate handwashing is that even after several minutes of rinsing there’s usually a soap residue left behind. This was not the case with Ecover Delicate Wash. The soap suds rinsed away immediately.

Here are some of the benefits of Ecover Delicate Wash:

• fresh fragrance from plant based ingredients
• ideal for fine fabrics, silks and wool
• preserves the softness of delicate fibers and protects their color
• safe for your skin thanks to plant based ingredients
• plant based ingredients
• quick and complete biodegradability
• minimum impact on aquatic life
• no animal testing
• approved by the Vegan Society

It’s also gentle enough to use on baby clothes.

Based on the performance of this product, I’m planning to sample the entire Ecover line of products. I found the delicate wash in my local grocery store, but you can order it (and other Ecover products) here.

Ecover is based in Belgium, and has been recognized by the United Nations for their achievements in protecting and improving the environment. Not only are their products eco-friendly, but their factory is too — the roof uses grass for insulation, wood from sustainable forests, and bricks made from coal mine waste. There’s a picture of the grass roof in a slide show on the opening page of their website.

Another Eco-Friendly Tip from Allie.

I remember a time before juice boxes. I carried my juice to school in the thermos that came with my Muppet Show lunch box, until juice boxes hit the scene.

The rule in my house was that juice boxes were for school, but at home I had to drink juice from a glass — less waste and less expensive. But when faced with the idea of your kindergartener taking aim at a glass with a sixty-four ounce jug of apple juice, a handy little juice box seems indispensable.

Switch your kids over to reusable juice boxes. These can be pre-filled to put on a low shelf in your fridge or tucked in a lunch box. They’re much better for the environment, dishwasher safe, and will save you money in the long run. And you won’t spend the better part of an afternoon mopping sticky apple juice off of your kitchen floor, unless you spill.

Another Eco-Friendly Tip from Allie.

Faucet aerators can save three to four gallons of water per minute of use.

According to energyhawk.com:

Aerators restrict the flow of water, compressing it into a higher-pressure discharge than regular faucets. They also introduce air bubbles into the water, making it feel like there is a larger water flow.

Pick up an aerator at your local hardware store, or order online. Spending less than $5 can save you up to 50% on your water usage.

Get instructions for installing an aerator here. It’s a simple process, even for the not-so-handy set.

Another Eco-Friendly Tip from Allie.

Okay, not all of it. Just the recyclables.

You’re out shopping. You get thirsty, so you buy a soda from the vending machine. When you’re done with it, you realize there aren’t any recycling bins at the mall.

Don’t throw it out! Keep a bag in your car for any recyclables you acquire when you’re out and about, so you can bring them home to recycle.

UPS drivers strategically avoid left turns to reduce idling and conserve gas. You can too.
UPS.com offers the following tips for fuel savings:

1. Plan your route. When running errands or going on a trip, consider the best way to get to the locations without backtracking. When taking a long trip, use maps or Internet sites to determine the quickest and most direct route.
2. Avoid left turns. UPS routes are designed to avoid left turns. We have learned that idling waiting to turn left wastes gas. Not to mention the cars idling behind you waiting for you to turn. It is also safer to avoid left turns since you reduce the number of times you turn across oncoming traffic.
3. Schedule regular car maintenance. Maintaining your car can affect its gas mileage. Just making sure that the tires are properly inflated can save on fuel economy.
4. Drive responsibly. Driving style can affect the gas mileage of your vehicle. Making a fast start from a stoplight or driving over the speed limit can reduce fuel economy. UPS practices safe driving and a “no idling” policy - no matter how short of a stop a UPS driver makes, the engine is turned off.
5. Reduce the weight in the vehicle. Unnecessary items in the trunk can contribute to lower gas mileage. Eliminate anything you don’t need.
6. Use the car with the best gas mileage. If you have more than one car, use the one that gets the best gas mileage when making long trips. UPS tries to match its vehicle to the needs of its routes. In some cases, that means deliveries are made by bicycle, particularly if the streets are too congested to pass through easily.

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Another Eco-Friendly Tip from Allie.