Companies can recover and re-use the chemicals from both Lithium and Lead batteries !!!

Earth911.com  can give you all the information you need on where to recycle used alkaline batteries

Cauzdecycle.com  provides information on where to recycle used rechargeables

Biggreenbox.com  for a charge of $58.00, they will send you or your office a big box which you can fill up and return, postage paid, to recycle all your batteries.

Do you use a sugar substitute? And have you noticed that you are having more headaches than normal?  Could be aspartame or even the sucralose as found in Splenda.  There is good news though!!   Several all natural, chemical free sweeteners are available which are actually good for you and good for the planet. 

Agave has been used for hundred of years and is available in a syrup form.  While it has the same number of calories as sugar, it is much sweeter and you can use less.  It is low on the glycemic index at 32, but it does contain some fruit sugars, so is probably not the best choice for diatbetics.  Check out www.wildorganics.com for agave syrup and flavored syrups for your coffee !!

My personal favorite is Zsweet, which is made from plant based erythritol.  It is 0 on the glycemic index, has 0 calories and has no aftertaste!!    It is made from organic sugar through a natural fermentation process.  And guess what....this stuff can be used in baking !!!   Check them out at www.zsweetstore.com.

Stevia is another plant extract that has been used for hundreds if not thousands of years.  It is way sweeter than sugar, so use sparingly.   It too has 0 calories.   There is a slight  aftertaste, so you may want to use this in baking and cooking, where the taste will not be noticed.   Check out the gum and other products at www.steviasmart.com.

Xylitol is an extract that comes from birch trees.  Clinical studeis indicate this extract actually helps inhibit formation of dental cavities.  This is similar to sugar in consistency and tast, though it is less sweet and you will need to use a bit more.   One caveat though...excessive use, more than 25 g per day may cause diarrhea.  You can check out Xylitol products at www.allstarhealth.com

What to do with those ratty old blankets?  Or those towels that have definitely seen better days??   Don't throw them in the trash, PLEASE.   Call your local humane society or other animal shelter and donate them for use as comfy bedding for all the animals who are waiting for a "forever home".   You can even donate Aunt Hilda's old fur jacket that you are too embarrassed to actually wear!!   Think of the warmth THAT would be to some lucky puppy or kitten.  Shelters are also looking for bedding materials, cleaning supplies, even food and treats.   Whatever is donated saves their money for really needed things like health care and neutering.   So be kind to our "fur friends" and get those old towels over there!  And if you wanted to volunteer to help excercise some of those cute little "fur-persons" I'm sure no one would say no !!!

Check out some of these great sites for handbags any designer would envy:

www.ashleywatson.net  for bags made totally of recycled leather

www.mattandnat.com for vegan bags

www.sparrowhandbags.com   This is my personal favorite site.   These bags are made from certified organic cotton with hemp handles.  The designs are fantastic..you'll be proud to carry these anywhere.  And best of all, these bags are really affordable !!

For ethnic inspired bags, check out Mad Imports at Yahoo stores on-line.   These bags are handmade by native women and are fair traded! Do a good deed for the planet and for women in developing countries!!

Did you know that each and every year, moe than 3.5 BILLION wire hangers end up in landfills in the U.S. alone.  And guess what...they aren't going to go away.   But now an advertising firm, Hanger Network, has come up with a bio-degradable, recycled paperboard hanger.   They carry ads from companies such as Van Huesen or L'Oreal and are FREE to dry cleaners !!   So next time you pcik up your cleaning, ask that your  local cleaner contact Hanger Network.   It will save your cleaner some money, and will reduce the amount of non-degrable waste in landfills.  Now there is real win-win situation !!!

Did you know that you can use WD-40 to prevent your silver from tarnishing??   Or that it removes tar and grime from cars?   YES...it removes TAR !!!    The basic ingredient in WD-40 is fish oil, and it can be used for 100's of things.  For example:

1) Remove lipstick stains

2) Loosens zippers

3) Removes stains from stainless steel sinks

4) Removes ugly water spots from glass and plastic shower doors and prevents additional spots from forming

5) Restores and cleans leather dashboards on vehicles

6) Removes black scuff marks from floors

7) Removes all traces of duct tape

8) Keeps bathrooms mirrors from fogging

9) Removes crayon from walls

10) Attracts fish to live bait or lures

11) Gets rid of those squeaks in rocking chairs or swings

12) Lubricates window and door tracks

13) Prevents rust on metal tools

So next time you need a quick fix, check out the WD-40 !!!

Did you know you can fade those streaks and blotches with a lemon?   Just  rub the affected area with half a lemon, allow to sit on skin for three full minutes, then rinse.  Smooth and beautiful again !!!

Stock your office, or home office with products made from recycled paper and office products.  Pencils made from newspapers, soy based printer ink and printer paper from recyled paper prodcuts are just a few of the items which can be found at www.thegreenoffice.com    With prices and slection very similar to the big box office supply stores, you can be eco-conscious while not blowing your budget !!

Did you know....if you need facial cleanser in a pinch, you need to raid your kitchen.  YES, your kitchen !!!  

Laurie Polis a New York dermatologist suggests some of the following "in a pinch" recipes

1 TBS plain, full fat yogurt, drizzled with honey, massaged into the skin, then rinsed with cool water.  The yogurt cools and soothes, while the honey has antibacterial properties.

Buttermilk, when splashed on calms and soothes hot or irritated skin.  It can even help a sunburn !  Soak a soft cloth in buttermilk, cleanse face, then rinse with cool water.

Green Tea can have anti ageing effects when applied topically.  Brew, cool and splash on face, then rinse.

Olive Oil  can be used in lieu of a moisturizing cleanser, since it hydrates skin and plumps it's outer layers.   Apply a thin layer to the face, then tissue off.   This is best used at night, as cosmetics will not adhere

Oatmeal can calm skin and stop itchiness, redness and flaking.   Mix a small handful with water, to make a paste.  Rub into skin and rinse.

Did you know........

You can unclog your drain without those expensive, smelly chemical products from the store.   Simply pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the offending drain.  Add 1/2 cup vinegar to the mix, then cover the drain with a wet towel.  Wait 5 minutes, then flush with boiling water.   Viola !!!   

• The average auto spews about one pound of carbon dioxide every mile.     SOLUTION  Cutting your driving just 20 miles a week would save about 1000 pounds of greenhouse gasses a year.   Coordinate your commute if possible with friends neighbors and family members.   Going to the store?  Pick up the bread and milk for your neighbor, or your mother-in-law's dry cleaning on the way.   Take a tip from UPS drivers and plan all your errands for one day, then map out a route , so you're not jumping back and forth across town.  Not only will you save gas, but you'll be saving your valuable time as well.   And for that work commute, check out www.erideshare.com for a potential car pool ride.
• 12 million barrels of oil are used EVERY YEAR to produce 100 BILLION plastic shopping bags.  Not only are we wasting valuable oil, but these bags get dumped into landfills and will take CENTURIES to decompose..  SOLUTION  Keep reusable tote bags in your car for all your grocery and drug store stops.  Most of us have several tote bags shoved into the corners of our closets, but if you are one of the few who don't,  you can buy them at www.reusablebags.com
• The average American meal travels more than 1200 miles by truck, plane or ship, producing THOUSANDS of pounds of carbon emissions before it reaches your table.   SOLUTION  Shop at local farmer's markets, or food co-ops.  The food is fresher, and tastier, and produce hasn't been coated with waxes and other substances to make it prettier.  Many local grocery chains are catching on, and have begun buying from local producers.  Let your local store manager know this is something you support.   For other tips to fight global warming with your knife and fork, go to www.climatebiz.com
• Keep your home office "green".  Find pencils made from newspapers, paper made from 100% recyled materials, soy based printer ink and a host of other paper and office products at www.thegreenoffice.com.    With prices and selection very similar to the big office supply chains, there is just no excuse for not doing so.
• Recycling doesn't always mean turning newspapers into pencils.    Have your kids "outgrown"  their current collection of  books, games, DVD's etc??   If so, you might want to check out www.zunafish.com  This site deals in DVS's,CD's, paperbacks, audiobooks, and video games.  You can trade these items for those your kids want now.   Trades are just $1.00 each, plus shipping.    Or  maybe you have a crib, but need a potty chair.  Then check out www.swapthing.com and exchange anything for $1.00 a swap.   And if you don't want to swap, you can choose to donate to non-profit organizations that register on the site