Thanks to all who participated in our 2010 Earth Day Contest!

We had hundreds of entries from all you fabulous Tweeps, and we are excited to announce the winners!*

@Sdsir, @auntiethesis, @evico, @IfICannotFly, @senoritao, @NatashaNDavis, @lisakw27, @paz247, @Addierose33, @Ly_Mac, @tamcho, @kim_finley, @easyecotogo, @nacholulu, @catluc, @katiehepfinger, @SteveProForce, @melissajschafer, @2boysblue, @SharpAcademy, @Zsandra, @audra_herman, @kenmayes, @combstech, @Ride2FGCU, @GreenMaven, @naturalluxe, @MontessoriKMS, @ummx, @GreenTexEnergy, @acb0507, @EnviroWatts, @stepshep, @PeaceLoveZune, @aLmYbNeNr, @TheJoyfulOrg, @GotSpawn, @jessiebrosch

*Earth911 will Direct Message you to collect your contact information to receive your prize! If you do not receive a DM by the end of business on April 23, please email Jenn at jberry@earth911.com directly!

Next Prev

TIP 40: Newspaper

FACT

The newspaper industry sees more than 24 billion newspapers circulated worldwide annually. Newsprint is easily recycled and can be made into new newsprint and other materials.

DO SOMETHING

Because it is collected in most curbside recycling programs, recycling newspapers can be an easy step towards improving your recycling habits. You can find collection sites in your local area by using Earth911. In addition to being easy to recycle, newspaper can be reused in a number of ways around your home or office and can even be composted!

Read more
The Best DIY Paper Projects

TIP 38: Clothing

FACT

Fashion uses more water than any industry other than agriculture. At least 8,000 chemicals are used to turn raw materials into textiles. Americans throw away 68 pounds of clothes on average each year, and we only buy 10 pounds of recycled clothes annually.

DO SOMETHING

If you are going to buy new clothes, why not buy those made out of sustainable materials? There are now companies that sell gear made out of crops that require less pesticides and water. If getting rid of clothing, reuse is the the word to remember. Try selling your clothing online or donating it to a local charity. Also, don’t miss our favorite ways to reuse your T-shirts, jeans, even costumes!

Read more
7 Eco Designers You’ll Love

TIP 36: Cardboard

FACT

Recycled cardboard only takes 75 percent of the energy needed to make new cardboard and lessens the emission of sulfur dioxide produced when making pulp from wood trees. Plus, recycling just 1 ton of cardboard saves 9 cubic yards of landfill space and 46 gallons of oil.

DO SOMETHING

Cardboard is one of the most commonly recycled materials. Its durability, long fibers and overall high quality allow cardboard to be recycled into an array of paper products such as new cardboard, paper and paperboard. But it can also be reused in other places: layered in the garden as mulch or in your compost pile.

TIP 34: Magazines

FACT

According to the Magazine Publishers of America, only 20 percent of magazines are recycled from the home. Once recycled, magazines cannot be used to make new magazines. However, they do help to make newspaper, tissue, writing paper and paperboard.

DO SOMETHING

Many consumers are afraid to put magazines into paper bins, but the glossy paper does not contaminate paper recycling. Magazines are now accepted by all curbside recycling programs that collect paper. Find out more about your local recycling program using Earth911.

Read more
The Best DIY Paper Projects

TIP 32: Inkjet Cartridges

FACT

In the U.S., more than 13 cartridges are disposed of every second, totaling an estimated 375 million each year. The total weight of these cartridges is equivalent to 67,612 Ford Explorers or 112,463 Volkswagen Beetles.

DO SOMETHING

Many cartridge companies now reuse almost 100 percent of old cartridges to produce new ones, adding only new ink. It takes about 80 percent less energy to remanufacture the cartridge plastic than to produce it from new materials. Local office supply stores often offer incentives to recycle cartridges. You can also check to see if a local school is collecting for a fundraiser. E-waste drop-offs also often accept used printer cartridges.

TIP 30: Cell Phones

FACT

Every year, upgrades or damage make 100 million cell phones obsolete, and about 75 percent of these phones are stockpiled in drawers, stashed in closets or other storage spaces.

DO SOMETHING

In a landfill, cell phones can pollute the surrounding soil and water with toxic materials such as arsenic, lead and zinc. The U.S. EPA’s Plug Into eCycling program partners with major retailers to recycle used cell phones. If there is not a donation center in your area, there several mail-back programs that will accept your phone. Also, don’t forget that National Cell Phone Recycling Week starts April 5.

Get Cash for Recycling Your Cell Phone

TIP 28: Motor Oil

FACT

A large portion of the used motor oil collected is reprocessed into fuel that is burned in furnaces, turbines, power plants and manufacturing facilities to provide heat and electricity. Two gallons of used motor oil can generate enough electricity to power the average home for one day; cook 48 meals in a microwave oven; blow dry a person’s hair at least 216 times; vacuum a house for 15 months and watch television for 7.5 days straight

DO SOMETHING

Nationally, there are more than 12,000 community-based used oil collection locations provided by either your local government or private businesses such as auto parts stores or service stations.

What To Do in an Eco Emergency

TIP 26: Tires

FACT

An average of 290 million tires are disposed of every year. That’s about one tire per person in this country alone. Approximately 9 percent (27 million) tires are said to be discarded in landfills. The EPA estimates that 45 percent of all scrap tires are burned for energy. The average tire contains 5 gallons of oil.

DO SOMETHING

The first step to take before even discarding your tires is to lengthen the life of your tires. When looking to recycle tires, take them to a local recycling facility or tire retailer. When picking out a recycling facility, make sure they accept tires and that yours fit their quantity and size limitations. If you are taking tires back to the retailer, you may have to pay a small fee.

Recycling Mysteries: Tires

TIP 24: Composting

FACT

According to the EPA, 24 percent of the U.S. municipal solid waste stream is composed of food remnants and yard trimmings. Each American throws away an average of 1.3 pounds of food scraps daily.

DO SOMETHING

Grass clippings, food scraps and yard waste are all ideal materials to add to a compost pile. This means that starting one is about more than just creating a great soil booster for your garden or farm – it can cut down on your waste output as well. For those who have been thinking about starting a pile for some time now, but are still unsure about taking on the challenge, understanding the basics of composting can make it a less intimidating process. Check out our super-handy guide for starting your own compost.

I Got Worms! Composting and You

TIP 22: Packaging Peanuts

FACT

Made of plastic #6 expanded polystyrene, foam peanuts are extremely lightweight (made of about 98 percent air). Therefore, they are usually not accepted in curbside programs due to contamination issues. EPS takes up 0.01 percent of the total municipal solid waste stream by weight, but its volume is a greater problem than its weight. It takes up space in landfills and doesn’t biodegrade.

DO SOMETHING

The easiest way to reuse packaging peanuts is in another package you need to ship. You can also donate them to UPS or other shipping stores, who will gladly reuse the material. Not sure where to go? Call the automated, 24-hour Peanut Hot line at 800-828-2214 to find a site near your residence that will reuse them.

Recycling Mystery: Expanded Polystyrene

TIP 20: Pizza Boxes

FACT

Many people assume that pizza boxes are recyclable. In fact, most boxes have recycling symbols on them and are traditionally made from corrugated cardboard. They are, in and of themselves, recyclable. However, what makes parts of them non-recyclable is the hot, tasty treat that comes inside them, specifically, the grease and cheese from pizza that soil the cardboard..

DO SOMETHING

The easiest remedy for this problem is to cut or tear out the soiled portions of your pizza boxes and trash them. For example, you can tear the top of the box off, recycle that and throw away the bottom part containing the grease. If the entire box is grease-free, the whole box can be recycled with a guilt-free conscience. Another option to recycling cardboard is to compost it, although the grease rule still applies here as well.

Read more
The Pizza Box Mystery

TIP 18: Wine Corks

FACT

According to ReCORK America, there are 13 billion natural cork wine stoppers sold in the world market each year, most of which end up in the landfill. It takes approximately 300,000 wine corks to yield a ton of cork for recycling into new product.

DO SOMETHING

Whole Foods Market announced on April 6 that it is implementing a company-wide wine cork recycling program that will be available throughout its 292 store locations in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. In partnership with Cork ReHarvest, Whole Foods will set up designated drop boxes for recycling wine corks in its stores. Wine corks can be made into flooring tiles, building insulation, footwear, automotive gaskets, bulletin boards, packaging materials, soil conditioner and sports equipment.

TIP 16: Hair

FACT

Yep, human hair! Not only can human hair be composted, but it can actually be recycled into dense mats for soaking up oil. There are more than 370,000 hair salons in the U.S., and each collects about 1 pound of hair per day.

DO SOMETHING

Public charity, Matter of Trust, began the Hair For Oil Spills Program in 2000 after Phil McCrory, a hair stylist from Alabama, watched news coverage of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill and noticed the oil saturated fur on the Alaskan otters. The charity even sponsors an Oily Hairmat Remediation study, detoxifying the oil mats through a thermophilic compost and vermiculture process.

TIP 14: Snack Wrappers

FACT

Most candy and snack wrappers are made up of mixed materials, making it difficult and expensive to recover useful materials during recycling. As a result, many waste management companies, manufacturers and recycling facilities tend to turn their backs from snack wrappers.

DO SOMETHING

Eco-conscious folks have thought of creative ways to repurpose candy and snack wrappers. We even included candy wrappers in our Ultimate Reuse Challenge, and our staff came up with some pretty good reuse ideas. Also, upcycling company TerraCycle turns this hard-to-recycle packaging into stylish accessories and useful products. The company even pays YOU for your materials!

TIP 12: Surfboards

FACT

More than 1,000 surfboards are produced each day between Los Angeles and the Mexico border. Additionally, nearly 20 percent of the foam needed to shape each board is rendered as waste and inevitably ends up in landfills.

DO SOMETHING

ReSurf Recycling recycles all surfboards and surfboard manufacturing waste materials into numerous products including asphalt and concrete for paving city roads. Additionally, the company developed a method to produce 100 percent recycled yoga mats using neoprene scraps from wetsuit production.

TIP 10: Plastic Bags

FACT

About 89 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps are used in the U.S. each year. According to the EPA, about 12 percent of plastic bags and wraps were recycled in 2007. Recycled plastic bags and wraps provide raw material for making durable backyard decks, building and construction products and new plastic bags.

DO SOMETHING

Due to their light weight, most curbside programs do not accept plastic bags. They can easily get stuck inside machinery when recycled as well. However, most grocery stores throughout the U.S. now offer plastic bag recycling. The trick is remembering to take those excess bags with you next time you go to the store.

Read more
360: Recycling Plastic Bags

TIP 8: CFL

FACT

An Energy Star qualified CFL will save about $30 over its lifetime and pay for itself in about six months. Plus, it uses 75 percent less energy and lasts about 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb. But CFLs can cost up to 10 times more than an incandescent bulb.

DO SOMETHING

The thing to remember about replacing your incandescents with CFLs is to evaluate your frequency of usage. These bulbs work better in lights that are kept on for longer periods of time. While 74 percent of Americans have switched to an energy-saving lamp in the past year, many are still unaware of the impending federal phase-out of incandescent bulbs will begin with the 100-watt bulb in 2012. Remember that CFL bulbs contain about 4 milligrams of mercury, so recycling is mandated by law. Use Earth911 to find where to recycle or properly dispose of CFLs in your area.

TIP 6: Paint

FACT

The U.S. EPA estimates that Americans discard as much as 69 million gallons of paint each year. That’s millions of gallons of unrecycled paint headed straight for the nation’s landfills. But despite common misconceptions, paint actually can be recycled.

DO SOMETHING

When using paint for projects in and around your home, it is always best to purchase and use only what you will need for the job, cutting down on waste and saving you money! To recycle your paint, separate it into two groups: latex paint and oil-based paint. Never mix the two kinds together because they have to be recycled separately. Also, if possible, the paints should be in their original containers or at least clearly labeled for identification. Use Earth911 to find a local paint recycler or consult your local household hazardous waste coordinator.

Read more
Recycling Mysteries: Paint

TIP 4: Televisions

FACT

There are currently about 275 million televisions in the U.S., which consume more than 50 billion kWh of energy each year. That’s about 4 percent of each household’s average electricity use.

DO SOMETHING

Televisions are huge contributors to electronic waste. The U.S. EPA estimates that 82 percent of televisions, or 20.6 million units, were disposed of, primarily in landfills, between 2006 and 2007. That means only 18 percent, or 6.3 million units, were recycled. Televisions contain hazardous materials (most notably lead) that can leach out of landfills over time. Many areas have banned televisions from landfills because of the hazards of lead leachate. When your television has reached its end of life, make sure to take it to your local recycling center. For information on television take-back programs and to see how well manufacturers scored on their recycling efforts, visit TakeBackMyTv.com.

Read more
Your Top Electronics Questions

TIP 2: Medication

FACT

A 2008 investigation by The Associated Press found that 250 million pounds of pharmaceuticals are flushed each year by hospitals and long-term care facilities. According to the EPA, studies have shown that pharmaceuticals are present in our nation’s waterbodies, some causing ecological harm. However, to date, scientists have found no evidence of detrimental effects on human health.

DO SOMETHING

First, contact your city or county government’s household trash and recycling service to check if your community offers drug take-back programs or other household hazardous waste programs that may accept the substance. If that is not an option, there is a proper way to dispose of the drugs at home. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy issued a consumer guide for proper disposal of prescription drugs.

Read more
Recycling Mystery: Medication

TIP 39: Aluminum Cans

FACT

More than 50 percent of the aluminum cans produced are recycled. A used aluminum can is recycled and back on the grocery shelf as a new can in as little as 60 days.

DO SOMETHING

When recycled, an aluminum can produces enough energy to keep a 100-watt bulb burning for almost four hours or run your television for three hours. Even more interesting, because aluminum is a durable and sustainable metal, two-thirds of the aluminum ever produced is still in use today. While they’re abundantly recyclable, there are also super cool reuse projects for cans as well.

Read more
8 Ways to Reuse Your Cans

TIP 37: Plastic Bottles

FACT

Americans buy an estimated 28 billion plastic water bottles every year, and nearly eight out of every 10 of those bottles will end up in a landfill, translating to about a 23 percent recycling rate.

DO SOMETHING

Make sure to find out which plastic bottles are accepted for recycling in your area. Many programs collect plastic bottles made from PET (#1) and HDPE (#2), which together represent almost 96 percent of all plastic bottles produced in the U.S., including milk jugs, water, soft drink, juice bottles, shampoo, toiletries, laundry detergent, household cleaners, salad dressings and other food jars.

Read more
360: Recycling Plastic Bottles

TIP 35: Glass

FACT

Glass containers are 100 percent recyclable, and an estimated 80 percent of recovered glass containers are made into new glass bottles. Glass also has the quickest turnaround of any curbside product, back on store shelves in as little as 30 days.

DO SOMETHING

Bottle Bills have made glass recycling more popular in curbside programs. But it’s important to know what glass is accepted in your local program. Putting in a color of glass that is not accepted by your program, or treated glass, such as windows and mirrors, leads to contamination issues that reduces the value of your entire batch.

TIP 33: Paperboard

FACT

Paperboard is a thicker form of paper used in consumer packaging such as cereal boxes and drink boxes. More than 85 percent of the U.S. population has access to paperboard recycling.

DO SOMETHING

Many of your food packages will have a plastic bag separating the food from the paperboard, which should be removed prior to recycling. If paperboard is stained with any sort of cooking oil, it becomes unrecyclable. If it gets drenched with water, the fibers shrink, making it less valuable. So, keep food away from your paperboard recycling bin, and don’t put your paperboard recycling out in the rain.

TIP 31: Phone Books

FACT

On average, 660,000 tons of phone books end up in landfills every year. By recycling just 500 books, we could save between 17 and 31 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 463 gallons of oil, 587 pounds of air pollution, 3.06 cubic yards of landfill space and 4,077 kilowatt hours of energy!

DO SOMETHING

Many local and state recycling facilities now accept phone books, possibly through your curbside program. But remember that your phone book is filled with material that can contaminate the recycling process, such as magnets and plastics. Check with your local and state guidelines regarding prepping for recycling. You can also shred the pages to use in your garden to keep out weeds. The paper is biodegradable and will eventually break down.

TIP 29: Aerosol Cans

FACT

About 90 percent of all aerosol cans are made of steel and the remaining 10 percent are made of aluminum. Both types can be recycled. More than 3 billion steel aerosol cans are made in the U.S. annually.

DO SOMETHING

Recycling aerosol cans depends upon whether the container is empty or still has liquid inside of it. If the product is empty, you have the option of dropping it off in a bin designated for steel or aluminum at your local recycling facility or in your curbside bin if it is accepted. Never throw aerosol cans in roadside dumps or trash fires. These cans are still pressurized and can explode.

The Aerosol Can Debate Continues

TIP 27: To-Go Containers

FACT

That foam to-go box from last night’s dinner is made from polystyrene (or plastic #6). Because the material is so lightweight (comprised of 97 percent air), it is easily carried by wind and water currents to all reaches of our planet, and its unsinkable nature makes it a main component of marine debris.

DO SOMETHING

Most curbside programs do not accept foam to-go containers. Some cities have even instituted bans on to-go packaging in an effort to cut waste. But a growing number of shipping retailers will recycle or reuse your packaging materials, such as UPS, Mail Boxes Etc., Postal Annex and Fed Ex/Kinkos. Also, the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers offers a mail-back program to U.S. residents. Postage costs will apply.

360: Recycling Plastic #6

TIP 25: Bottle Caps

FACT

Plastic bottle caps are one of the top 10 items found during marine debris beach clean-ups and are the second most littered item after cigarette butts. Made of plastic #5, these caps are often a different material than their bottle counterpart.

DO SOMETHING

If you’re in an area where plastic cap recycling is not available, seek out retailers that accept them. Any Aveda network salon or store will accept the caps to be made into new Aveda caps. Aveda recycles the caps into new packaging for some of its product lines. Preserve, in partnership with Stonyfield Farms and Organic Valley, also accepts plastic #5 for recycling. You can mail in your caps to Preserve or drop them off at your local Whole Foods location.

360: Recycling Bottle Caps

TIP 23: Appliances

FACT

The annual energy bill for a typical single family home is approximately $2,200, and your appliances make up 13 percent of that amount. If you’re in need of an upgrade, consider an Energy Star-rated model. From washing machines to refrigerators, energy-efficient models can save you hundreds of dollars in annual energy bills.

DO SOMETHING

The government recently rolled out “Cash for Appliances” rebate program, which utilizes nearly $300 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to encourage consumers to purchase Energy Star-certified appliances. For the greatest potential energy savings, the DOE recommends programs focus on appliances, heating and cooling equipment and water heaters. Don’t forget that these products also qualify for huge tax credits. Check our list of deductions to see just how much you can get.

Cash for Appliances is Official

TIP 21: CDs & DVDs

FACT

As of September 2009, Apple has sold 220 million iPods, and users have downloaded more than 8.5 billion songs from iTunes. To put that in perspective, that’s the equivalent of 85 million CDs that would have been made. CDs contain three main components: plastic, metals and ink.

DO SOMETHING

Those little plastic CD cases are made from plastic #6 polystyrene, and may be accepted in your curbside program. But if that isn’t an option, two excellent resources for disc disposal are Back Thru the Future and the CD Recycling Center of America. While you pay the shipping costs, there is no recycling fee at either of these organizations. If you just can’t bear to part ways with your cases, we found some odd, fun reuse ideas for your CD cases.

Hey Music Lovers! Don’t Toss Your CDs

TIP 19: Keys

FACT

Keys, keys and more keys. We have keys for our front door, our cars, filing cabinets and more. And most of us are guilty of throwing them in a junk drawer or tossing them in a box in the garage when we move or change locks.

DO SOMETHING

Keys For Kindness is a small, family-run program designed to raise money through metal key recycling for the Multiple Sclerosis society. Though the shipping expenditure is on your own dime, we’re sure the good karma will be worthwhile.

Read more
Wow, You Can Recycle That?

TIP 17: Trophies

FACT

The challenge with recycling trophies is that most of the modern awards are made of molded plastic that is dyed to look like precious metals. This also includes the base, although it may appear to be marble or wood.

DO SOMETHING

Total Awards & Promotions, Inc. has created a trophy recycling program to benefit charities. Through a mail-in program, the company’s Madison, Wisc. headquarters recycles your defunct awards or re-engraves and donates them to nonprofit organizations. One of many trophy recycling programs offered nationwide, the company also manufacturers its own awards made of recycled glass and newsprint.

TIP 15: Crayons

FACT

Each day, more than 120,000 pounds of crayons are produced in the U.S. alone. With drop-off bins nationwide and a mail-back option, the program accepts unwanted and broken crayons for recycling into new crayons.

DO SOMETHING

Most schools and community organizations will accept unbroken crayons for use in their art programs. But there is also a National Crayon Recycle Program operated by Crazy Crayons, LLC. The recycling program has diverted more than 47,000 pounds of crayons from landfills. If you’re looking for a bit of creativity, you can even make your own candles from crayons.

Read more
8 Ways to Green School Waste

TIP 13: Yoga Mats

FACT

Made of materials such as natural rubber, plastic, PVC or latex, most yoga mats are recyclable. In 2008, more than 50 percent of mats collected were upcycled into other products, and more than 30 percent of mats collected were donated to local community programs.

DO SOMETHING

Yoga studios around the country are embracing the idea of mat recycling and donation. If your studio does not participate or you are a home practitioner, Recycle Your Mat has mail-in programs for all types of mats as well. JadeYoga is also another viable option for donating and reusing your mat. Or, get crafty and check out other cool reuse projects for yoga mats.

TIP 11: Cooking Oil

FACT

While it may seem harmless, pouring cooking oil down the drain can harm wildlife and wreak havoc on local sewage systems. In fact, cooking oil and kitchen grease is the No. 1 cause of clogged sewer pipes.

DO SOMETHING

If you’re not collecting your excess grease in a cup beside the stove for later use, chances are your drain has some substantial clumps. But there’s another option for disposing of cooking oil: alternative fuel. While many commercial facilities already contribute substantial supplies, some programs invite households to recycle their excess grease as well. If planning to recycle, please be sure not to mix any water with the oil. Use Earth911 to find a cooking oil recycling facility near you.

Read more
Yes, You Can Recycle Cooking Oil

TIP 9: Batteries

FACT

Americans purchase nearly 3 billion dry-cell batteries every year. Despite a down economy, battery recycling is at an all-time high. Battery recycling collection saw a 6.9 percent increase, and Call2Recycle collected 6.1 million pounds of rechargeable batteries in 2009.

DO SOMETHING

If you’re unable to find a local recycling option, you can consider mail-in recycling programs. Single-use batteries are also accepted for recycling at all Batteries Plus locations. Nine states have passed laws banning rechargeable batteries from landfills. But if you live in an area that’s not covered by this mandate, Call2Recycle is a great place to start recycling your rechargeable batteries.

Read more
The Ultimate Battery Guide

TIP 7: Household Cleaners

FACT

The U.S. EPA found that the air inside our homes is on average two to five times more polluted than the air outside. Chemical toxins are highly present in some antibacterial cleaners. By choosing greener cleaning products and properly disposing of hazardous products, you can reduce the presence of these harmful toxins in our ecosystems and optimize your health – while still keeping your home clean.

DO SOMETHING

Before we go any further, household cleaners cannot be recycled. You can take them to a household hazardous waste (HHW) collection or facility for proper disposal though (you can find one using Earth911). Green cleaning products have the following traits: biodegradability, high concentration, low toxicity, low volatile organic compound (VOC) content, reduced packaging and low life-cycle energy use.

TIP 5: Computers

FACT

In 2007, the U.S. EPA estimated that 65.7 million desktop computers, 42.4 million computer monitors and 2.1 million laptop computers were in storage, not being used. Plus, “Electronics” was the top search on Earth911’s Recycling Directory in 2009.

DO SOMETHING

More than 800 communities have created electronics collection events to help manage e-waste. Many computer manufacturers and retailers offer some kind of take-back program or recycling event. But before you think about getting rid of anything, make sure you have weighed all your options. Think about upgrading, donating or selling your computer. Need a jump start on your search? Use Earth911.com’s recycling database to find computer donation options in your area. Many computer manufacturers and retailers offer some kind of take-back program or recycling event. Mail-in programs are also great options for recycling. These programs can be substituted if local options are not available.

Read more
Your Top Electronics Questions

TIP 3: Compostable Packaging

FACT

Products made of bio-based materials that are also compostable are becoming increasingly popular. While most of these materials can only be composted in commercial facilities, some new, innovative products can actually be composted at home.

DO SOMETHING

Try SunChips new compostable chip bag. Every 10 ½ ounce SunChips package is made from plants so it is designed to fully break down in just 14 weeks when placed in a hot, active compost bin or pile. If you have a home composting system, give it a try! To identify other compostable packaging and materials that can be composted commercially, look for the Biodegradable Products Institute certification – the most recognized program for industrial compostability certification for plastics in the U.S.

Read more
What “Bio” Really Means

TIP 1: Pesticides

FACT

Pesticides are monitored by the U.S. EPA and must go through rigorous testing before they can be distributed. The EPA requires about 100 different scientific studies and tests from all applicants seeking to register pesticides. There are several different type of pesticides, but the most notable are chemical pesticides (man-made) and organic or biopesticides (naturally occurring).

DO SOMETHING

You can reduce the amount you consume of these chemicals by wisely utilizing leftover product. If any pesticide remains after you are finished, safely store it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Contact your local waste management service to find out when collections for household hazardous waste (HHW) are taking place. You will need to bring your leftover pesticide and containers to the event. Do not place empty pesticide containers in general recycling. Some studies have suggested that you can still promote home gardening without the usage of pesticides.

Read more
The Evolution of Pesticides