Buying juice in frozen concentrate form–a mere 12 oz. in size– saves on packaging compared to ready-to-serve juice packaged in, for example, ”half gallon” cartons or jugs. Each will yeild a similar amout of juice, but the former packaging option uses a fraction of material compared to the latter. However, reducing packaging waste isn’t our only consideration when we … Continue reading

I’m all for saving money (I wrote the book on it!
) and a big proponent of reducing packaging waste, so I’m pleased with the popularity of home soda machines that allow you to make your own seltzer water and soda at home. According to the manufacturer of one popular soda machine, making your … Continue reading

I started Green Matters in 1998 to help people discover and pursue a greener way of life. Now, fourteen years since I launched www.greenmatters.com and several years since my first book came out, I see an Internet and book market rife with information on what needs fixing and how we can each do our part. … Continue reading
The movie “Do the Math” tells the story of the growing climate movement. Watch the trailer, then find a screening near you.

I made a great discovery while browsing through West Elm this past weekend. Stackable planters that are beautiful enough to use indoors! Why does this discovery make me so happy? Because the idea of bringing air purifying plants into my home has long appealed to me, but the idea of having a potted plant on … Continue reading

Paper towels and our society’s gross overuse of them is a topic I have written about before. And my loyal readers know that my preferred method for avoiding paper towels is to keep a ready and robust supply of cloth towels in my kitchen to stand in for most any job a paper towel might … Continue reading

The portability of modern electronics and gadgets is one of the things that makes them so desirable. It’s not the devices themselves but the batteries, of course, that allow us to send a report to the boss from a tent, or call for a ride when our bike breaks down or prove you saw a … Continue reading

The best interior designers combine furnishings, art and textiles from a variety of sources or styles to create unique, personalized, eclectic looks. You can achieve a design vision that has an eclectic quality too—and one that is easier on the environment—if you are willing to seek out local artists and craftspeople who create truly one-of-a-kind pieces right in your ‘hood!

There’s a lot of talk these days about whether or not wireless devices emit enough radiation to cause adverse health effects, so when my husband, Chris, purchased a wireless sleep monitor/alarm clock—to help him adjust to working in a different time zone—my interest in the link between the use of wireless devices and health risks … Continue reading