ArcaMax

Fall is the best time to transform your lawn into an eco-friendly one. It all starts with spreading a thin layer of organic compost in areas that need the most TLC; just a 1/4-inch layer is enough to give a nutritional boost so it thrives in the spring. Then add grass seed and rake it into the compost mix. Also, use a lawnmower to break up ...Read more

Single-use coffee pods are one of the least sustainable ways to brew coffee -- most plastic pods can’t be recycled, instead ending up in landfills. But new innovations offer an eco-friendly alternative: all-aluminum pods. They work with your existing machine and are 100% recyclable, and since nearly 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still ...Read more

Did you tackle a little DIY project at home and now need to dispose of construction materials like drywall, bricks or roofing tiles? You probably can’t put them out with your regular trash. Here’s why: Construction debris is bulky and heavy, which can strain garbage trucks and landfill equipment. It can also pose safety risks, as old ...Read more

Many people like to hang a wreath on the door to decorate the front of the house. And many birds mistake wreaths for potential places to nest and call home. Since killing a bird that nests in your wreath is illegal in most communities, try this little trick: Embed some magnets inside the wreath. The natural magnetic field can be disruptive to ...Read more

Brown paper bags can be used for more than just packing a lunch. They are a fantastic item to have in the kitchen for a plastic-free and recyclable way to store produce items. Fresh mushrooms, potatoes and all types of berries and avocadoes thrive when stored in a paper bag. It protects them and allows them to breathe, all while the paper itself...Read more

If you see a houseplant with yellowing leaves, one of the most important things you should do is trim them off. Yellowing, almost-dead leaves won't revive and turn green again, so it's better to help the plant by removing them so it can dedicate all of its energy to generating new leaves. When you are done pruning, be sure to wipe the pruning ...Read more

Yes, paper coupons from the Sunday circular can be used to help those in need in your community. Clip them and check if local food banks, homeless shelters or senior centers can use them to save money or share with the people they serve. Just be sure the coupons aren’t expired, and allow enough time for recipients to use them.

ANDREWS MCMEEL ...Read more

Face painting is one of the many costume traditions of Halloween, but cosmetics sold at costume shops rarely come with a list of their ingredients, which could mean things like lead, arsenic and even mercury in your face paints. To avoid the possibility of spreading these chemicals on your kid's face, try this DIY solution: Use cornstarch, water...Read more

Instead of poisons or glue traps to keep field mice out of your home, try prevention to live in harmony with them. Use a flashlight outside your home at night to try to find small holes or cracks mice may find to enter. Plug those holes with steel wool or insulation; doing this not only prevents entry for mice, but it also helps insulate your ...Read more