The Number One Reason You Can't Recycle Your Pizza Box

It may seem like a contradiction because when your favorite pizza delivery arrives it comes in a nice corrugated cardboard box that has a big recycle emblem right on it. So why in the world can't you put your used pizza box in the recycling bin? While the box your pizza comes in is made from recycled materials, you cannot put the used box in your recycling bin because it is contaminated by the tasty treat.

That's right. The oil, cheese and toppings that make up the pizza are contaminants to the paper cardboard, which means it cannot be recycled. The reason is rather simple. When paper is recycled it is mixed with water to break it down. If you try to recycle a cardboard box covered with oil, what do you think happens? That's right. Since oil and water don't mix, it prevents the pizza box from being recycled. Not only that but if there are other types of paper in the same batch, it also prohibits these items from being recycled as well.

So even though you're trying to do the right thing, it isn't possible to recycle your entire pizza boxes because oil and water don't mix! What you can do is recycle the portions of the box that are not contaminated by the oil and food. For example, the top of the box is usually untouched, so rip off the top and throw it in the recycling bin. While you may not be able to recycle the whole box, you can recycle some of it.

Recycling Baby Car Seats?

Check out this interesting article at

N.J. Parent Starts Car Seat Recycling Program

How to Get 10 Free Trees

The Arbor Day Foundation is giving away ten free trees to each member at the level of $10 or higher.

10 free trees include:

2 white dogwoods
2 crabapples
2 Washington Hawthorns
2 American Redbuds
2 Goldenraintrees

Membership also includes a subscription to the Foundation's bimonthly publication Arbor Day and a copy of The Tree Book, which provides tree planting and care information.

To become a member of the Arbor Day Foundation (for as little as $10) and receive your ten free trees, visit www.arborday.org/freetrees.

7 Ways to Repurpose Household Items Instead of Throwing Them Away

If you throw everything away when you're done with it then you are creating tons (literally) of trash that doesn't have to be. While many items are created to fit a specific need, you can use items in new ways. It benefits you because it fills your need and it benefits the environment because it keeps the item from becoming part of the hundreds of tons of trash we dump there every year.

7 ways to turn your trash into treasures
Grocery bags. If you have to opt for paper or plastic bags instead of cloth bags, make those bags work for beyond the trip home from the grocery store. There are so many ways to reuse grocery bags including as trash can liners, as book covers, as your lunch bag for work or school, to pick up dog waste, to carry your clothes to and from the gym, and on and on. Some of these choices do land the bag in the landfill eventually, but its life lasted longer than the trip home from the store.

Cups & coffee mugs. When your old cups and coffee mugs have seen better days, turn them into a pen holder for your desk at home or work or use them to organize makeup brushes, cotton balls and Q-tips under your sink.

Plastic tubs. Butter, yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese and whip cream all come in sturdy plastic tubs. Instead of trashing these plastic containers, clean them out and reuse them to store leftovers. These containers can be reused several times before being thrown away. It not only saves the environment, but it cuts down on your spending on plastic storage containers.

Stretched out hair ties or scrunchies. When your old pony tail holders and scrunchies get too big for your hair, it doesn't mean you have to throw them away. Use these to hold rolled up items such as wrapping paper together or to bind piles of paperwork or documents. They may be stretched too much to use in your hair but there are other items they can still hold in place.

Plastic locking sandwich or storage bags. When you fill a plastic storage or freezer bag with dry items or items that don't cause germs (such as chicken or raw meat) then wash it out with soap and water, dry it and reuse it. Again, it keeps tons of plastic baggies out of the landfill and can help keep money in your wallet.

Aluminum foil. The same concept applies to aluminum foil. The only difference sometimes between used and new aluminum foil is the used stuff has some wrinkles in it. Clean your used foil, dry it and reuse it as much as possible.


Coffee grounds. Whether you love the taste of coffee or not, most people enjoy its fragrant aroma. Rather than throw away your used coffee grounds right away, take advantage of the heady aroma to absorb gross smells in your fridge, the bathroom or in other rooms in the house.


There is no need to throw everything away when you're done using it for its intended purpose. There are plenty of ways to give the item a new purpose and extend its life. It benefits you because it fills your need (and saves you money) and it benefits the environment because it keeps the item from becoming part of the hundreds of tons of trash we dump there every year.

Grow it Green: Creating the Garden of Your Dreams

Nothing is more green than growing your own organic garden. You can add oxygen to the air, pull carbon dioxide out of the air and feed you and your family all in one shot. What many struggle with is how to turn their organic gardening dreams into a reality. So, here it is--the five ways to make your organic garden a reality.

5 ways to make your garden grow

Plant it in the right spot
Gardens, especially vegetables, require the right mix of sun and water. Make sure you plant your garden in a spot that gets both, but not too much of either. Before you plant your garden, watch how much sun and rain the spots you have in mind get. If they get too much or not enough of either, then pick another spot.

Plant your crops
If you're not an experienced gardener, you may want to start off with hardier plants that aren't as easy to kill. You also probably want to plant seedlings, or baby plants, rather than trying to grow your garden from seeds. Tomatoes, leaf lettuce, zucchini, peppers, cucumbers and herbs are all hardy plants that are great for novice gardeners.

You can also find out what grows best in your area of the country. Local farmer's markets and garden center employees can all advise you on which herbs and vegetables may grow better than others in your garden.

Use flowers as your scarecrow
Plant some flowers along with your veggies and herbs. Flowers act as a natural pesticide for your garden because flowers attract beneficial insects and keep the pests away.


Organically nourish your garden
If you can, use compost to nourish the soil and allow your plants and veggies to flourish. Avoid using harmful pesticides or fertilizers and opt for organic solutions instead.

Keep growing and growing
Even if you don't succeed at growing a particular veggie or herb, make adjustments until you find what you are successful at growing. Growing herbs and veggies in your garden not only helps you be organic but it can help you save money at the grocery store too!

The Art of Re-gifting (But Not the Way You Think)

After a major gift giving holiday such as Mother's Day, it's important to address the shopping bags, packaging, paper, bows and ribbons that make their way to the landfills after the gifts are unwrapped and put away. It' not just Mother's Day either. The Clean Air Council estimates that 1 million tons of waste per week makes its way to landfills between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.

What can you do to eliminate your contribution to the gift waste after major holidays?

Re-gift, but not in the way you may think

In many instances gift wrap, gift bags, bows and ribbons are gently used and can easily be re-used rather than thrown in the garbage. You can approach this in one of two ways, depending on your comfort level.

1. Ask for reusable gift wrap back from your gift recipient. Tell the person you're giving the gift to that you are being eco-conscious and that you'd like the gift wrap and decorations back after they open the gift. Your friends and family are going to understand your desire to protect the environment and cut down on waste. If they don't understand then oh well!

2. Reuse the gift wrapping given to you. Whether it's a gift bag, bow or ribbon, neatly fold it up and put it away to be used on the next gift you give. Not only does this cut down on gift waste, but it saves you money on having to buy gift bags, tissue paper, bows, ribbons and more.

Do your part in reducing gift waste. It's a small step to save millions of tons of waste from winding up in the landfills every year.

Go Green for Mom

Mother's Day is Sunday. I went out today to pick up a small gift for my mom. She always says she doesn't want anything, but I feel bad not getting her something. This year, I chose to go green--literally. I bought her an ivy plant she's been coveting and an African violet plant.

I'll also include one of my handmade cards, which she always gushes over. Since I'm in town visiting her, we'll probably catch a bite to eat too. There was talk of heading to The Melting Pot, which is one of our favorites.

So, it's not too late for you to pick up something for your mom. It doesn't have to be anything outlandish or expensive. Sometimes it's the small things that Mom loves the most!

Sustainable Flowers Make the Perfect Decor for Special Events or Gifts for Special Events

The key to being eco-chic is your use of sustainable goods. This is true whether you're building a house, planning a wedding or sending a bouquet of flowers for Mother's Day. It may seem like a difficult task to find sustainable products or stores that provide easy access to sustainable goods, but it doesn't have to be.

Flowers are organic, so they make the perfect gift to add beauty and oxygen to a room. The problem is that flower growers and harvesters add harmful fertilizers, exploit farm workers or are so far away from where you're buying the flowers, it takes away from the environmentally friendly characteristics of flowers.

Companies such as Organic Bouquet have been offering sustainably grown flowers since 2001. Recently, they even expanded their product line to include eco-elegant gifts, organic chocolates and more. They adhere to the rigorous U.S. and international sustainability standards and obtain their products from companies who provide safe working conditions and a livable wage for their employees and farm workers.

Organic Bouquet is committed to environmental and humanitarian values, carefully selecting product sources, sustainably producing their products, and donating a portion of their proceeds to dedicated charitable organizations.

Seeking companies such as Organic Bouquet to buy your organic and sustainable goods from helps you leave less of a mark on the environment. You can still decorate your special event with beautiful flower centerpieces or send a breathtaking gift bouquet to a friend or loved one. Patronize stores and vendors that allow you to do what is right for the environment because they do what is right for the environment.