DDT was banned long ago, so why is it still affecting your health?

DDT was banned long ago, so why is it still affecting your health?

The New Year always encourages us to look ahead to the (hopefully brighter) future, but sometimes moving ahead means reconciling with the past. The lingering presence of DDT, and its continued effects on the health of the environment and, really, most of us, is one stark reminder of how harmful practices of the recent past continue to threaten lives in the present.

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What Happens to Your Vehicle After It’s Donated

What Happens to Your Vehicle After It’s Donated

guest post by Goodwill Car Donation

If you have an unnecessary truck, car or any other type of vehicle that’s outlasted its usefulness, you have several options. You could try to sell it yourself, but depending on the car’s state, that could be easier said than done. You could have the car scrapped, like the nearly 12 million cars that are junked each year to be recycled — but you probably won’t receive much of a return on your investment that way, and it isn’t the most environmentally friendly choice. Donating your car to charity, however, can be a great way to rid yourself of an unnecessary car no matter what state it’s in, while also possibly getting something back in the form of a tax deduction. But before you consider donating your car, it’s important to know what will most likely happen to your vehicle once you turn it over to the nonprofit of your choice.

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DIY Home Energy Audit (Free Checklist)

DIY Home Energy Audit (Free Checklist)

Energy efficiency does more than lower homeowners’ energy bills – it also helps to lessen the impact each home has on the environment. All of the modern conveniences we enjoy on a regular basis have a hidden cost beyond what we see on our utility bills. They consume resources, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and create waste that can harm the environment. Although these impacts may be small when viewed individually, when taken in aggregate they can have a substantial global effect. The good news is that there are plenty of things homeowners can do to reduce the effect their homes have on the environment, and many of those things are relatively easy.

Use the following checklist to keep your home's energy costs down and efficiency up...

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Budget & Eco-friendly Decorating Ideas for Your Outdoor Spaces

Budget & Eco-friendly Decorating Ideas for Your Outdoor Spaces

(Updated September 3, 2024)

Outdoor spaces are great for unwinding after a long work day, for spending time with family and friends and for playing with your kids. If your backyard doesn’t feel welcoming, these budget and eco-friendly decorating tips will help you beautify it in no time. You don’t have to break the bank to spruce up outdoor spaces. Sometimes, the most striking decorating ideas are the cheapest. If you’re not intimidated by the idea of a DIY, here are 5 hand-picked suggestions for reviving your backyard or patio. 

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This is How to Maximize Your Cleaning Efforts in an Eco-Friendly Way

This is How to Maximize Your Cleaning Efforts in an Eco-Friendly Way

Guest post by Clara Beaufort

When you clean your home, you want to feel good about the products you are using and know they are eco-friendly and chemical-free to protect the environment and your family at the same time. You want to create the healthiest environment for everyone, but you may not be sure how to start or which products will deep clean your home. It can be hard to break away from traditional cleaning products, but with a little guidance and knowledge, you’ll be on your way to maximizing your cleaning efforts and making your home the healthiest it can be for your entire family.

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10 Reasons to Plant a Garden This Fall (it’s not too late!)

10 Reasons to Plant a Garden This Fall (it’s not too late!)

Fall is here and soon after, winter, and while many of us have put away the gardening tools and supplies, picked our last harvests, and composted the leftover stalks and roots, there’s no need to wait until the spring to begin again. Growing your own food is something you can do year-round if you begin this fall. If you’ve been considering fall (and winter) gardening but haven’t done anything about it, here are ten reasons to consider it a little more seriously…

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Infographic: Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly

Infographic: Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly

Guest post by Helen O'Keefe

Green living doesn’t require a large-scale overhaul of our day-to-day habits. By implementing a few minor changes which are quick and inexpensive to activate, we can drastically reduce our carbon footprint, leading to us feeling healthier and happier for knowing that we’ve done a bit to contribute to a greener environment. What small yet significant steps can you take to make your home a more eco-friendly place?

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5 Frequently Asked Questions About Green Building

5 Frequently Asked Questions About Green Building

Guest post by Derek Lotts

We all know that today it’s all about going green. Homeowners are aiming to lower their energy consumption and large companies are trying to reduce their waste. And things aren’t different when it comes to building. In fact, the term “green building” has become quite popular among the people in the industry. Still, not too many people know exactly what green building is all about. That’s why we’ll be kicking things off by covering the basics with a list of 5 frequently asked questions about green building. Make sure you stay tuned.

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Detox cleanses sometimes hurt more than help: what you need to know

Detox cleanses sometimes hurt more than help: what you need to know

The idea of detoxing - purging the body of poisons and other harmful substances, to bolster the immune system, eliminate fat and increase energy levels – has been around since at least the early 1900s. These days, it is more popular than ever, thanks to a gaggle of celebrity endorsements of popular diets. A quick search on Amazon.com turns up hundreds of books, cleansing products, herbs and nutritional supplements to help you cleanse your way to good health.

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How Does Thrift Shopping Help You Save the Environment?

How Does Thrift Shopping Help You Save the Environment?

Thrift shopping at second-hand stores, consignment shops, rummage sales and online used-good directories is not just for environmentalists and hipsters, but a viable solution for anyone looking to go eco-friendly in small ways.

Before going into the green benefits, here’s how thrifting helps you:

  • Saving Money – Thrifted clothing is far more affordable than new clothes of comparable quality.

  • Smarter Buys – You tend to spend more time looking over each item instead of buying it outright.

  • Unique Finds – It’s highly unlikely that anyone else is walking around in the same clothes as you.

  • Creative Potential – You might be inspired to try new combinations, or even some DIY reconstruction!

If that wasn’t enough, here are 7 ways in which thrifting helps the environment:

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Checklist: Buying and Selling Property With an Oil Tank

Checklist: Buying and Selling Property With an Oil Tank

Guest post by Billy Willard of Willard Environmental Group

Buying or selling a home can be difficult enough on its own, but factoring in the presence of a heating oil tank on the property can make this process even more challenging. For example, although many homes in the Northeast rely on heating oil tanks to keep them warm in the winter, they can represent a significant obstacle to anyone buying or selling a home. That’s because the complications oil tanks bring to a property can be enough to give a buyer reason to reconsider; in turn, that can make it much more difficult for a property owner to sell. Cleaning up after a leaky oil tank is a major burden for a property owner, given how harmful leaking oil can be to the surrounding environment. Anyone who is buying or selling a home should be aware of how an oil tank can affect their decision-making process and understand what his or her responsibilities are to avoid being caught by surprise after the sale has been completed.

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What You Should Know about Radon Poisoning

What You Should Know about Radon Poisoning

(updated November 14, 2022)

Guest post by propertEco

A killer might be lurking in your house: no, it is not a person, but an invisible odorless and colorless gas known as radon. Radon gas is formed when the uranium that is naturally present in the ground decays. The gas that travels to the surface of the earth is called Radon.

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5 Herbs and Natural Supplements for Depression

5 Herbs and Natural Supplements for Depression

According to Mental Health America, clinical depression has turned into one of America's most costly illnesses, which is why anti-depressant medicines have become the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States of America. The use of herbs as treatments for various illnesses dates back to at least 3000 B.C. Today this practice is part of a broader movement recognized as complementary and alternative medicine.

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Obesity is on the rise: what you need to know

Obesity is on the rise: what you need to know

Guest post by Renew  Bariatrics

Obesity in the United Kingdom has been growing at an increasing rate in the past 30 years. Since 1990, obesity has tripled to all-time highs, and if the rates continue at this rate, obesity will affect 11 million adults by 2030. Obesity has serious health consequences including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, sleep apnea, hypertension, and much more.  

In 2017 nearly 1/4 of adults are obese. In total, 62% of adults are classified as overweight. With 26% of British women classified as obese. Learn more by viewing this infographic provided by Renew Bariatrics on United Kingdom obesity. 

(Much of this information also applies to the US, where obesity rates are at an all-time high, despite some leveling off in a few states. After you view the infographic, take a look at these statistics for more information about obesity in the US).

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