How can I be more green? Plastic storage bags are easy and convenient, but they’re also disposable and wasteful. Often we toss sandwich and freezer bags after using them only once into landfills. The first option is to wash and re-use the bags. Sandwich bags may not stand up to much abuse, but freezer bags can handle several washings. Recently, things have gotten better as we have the option of recycling these bags at any plastic bag-recycling bin, like those now found at many grocery stores and supermarkets. Those bins we all thought were for plastic shopping bags are good for other plastic bags too. So, if you can’t reuse plastic storage bags, clean and dry them, then recycle them along with any other plastic bags you have cluttering up the kitchen in a supermarket recycling bin.

In the United States alone, an estimated 12 million barrels of oil is used annually to make the plastic bags that Americans consume. The United States International Trade Commission reported that 102 billion plastic bags were used in the U.S. in 2009. These bags often wind up in waterways or on the landscape, becoming eyesores and degrading water and soil as they break down into toxic bits. Their manufacture, transportation and disposal use large quantities of non-renewable resources and release equally large amounts of global-warming gases. Ecologically, hundreds of thousands of marine animals die every year when they eat plastic bags mistaken for food.

Governments around the world have taken action to ban or restrict the use of plastic bags. In 2008, China banned the use of ultra-thin plastic bags, and it is estimated to have eliminated 40 billion bags in the first year. Ireland placed a fee on plastic bags and reportedly reduced consumption by 90%. Towns all over the United States are rising to the challenge and standing up to the oil, gas and plastic industries. San Francisco has banned plastic bags. Seattle has fought a hard fight to place a fee on single-use disposable plastic AND paper bags, only to be shut down by the American Chemistry Council, a group that profits greatly from the production of plastic bags. The ACC spends millions to combat anti-plastic bag campaigns. In spite of this challenge, U.S. cities including Austin, Boston, New Haven, Portland, Phoenix and Annapolis, are considering bag bans or fees.

Used cell phones may appear useless to the people who toss them out in a garbage can, but in reality they are very valuable and are growing in worth and numbers, according to a recent news report. The Wall Street Journal predicts that within a few years, the refurbished cell phone market could account for one fifth of all cell phone sales in the United States. In fact, The Journal reports that ReCellular, Inc. resold or recycled 5.2 million cell phones in 2010. While Americans every day discard almost 350,000 wireless units and accessories into the trash, we still have a ways to go. So next time, think about trading in that device to give it new life.

Another way of being green is to make your own cleaning solutions. For kitchen counters, the room where food is prepared, stored and often enjoyed requires constant vigilance. Splatters, spills and errant crumbs can build up and collect out of sight, encouraging harmful bacteria. Baking Soda and Water: Reclaim counters by sprinkling with baking soda, then scrubbing with a damp cloth or sponge. If you have stains, knead the baking soda and water into a paste and let set for a while before you remove. This method also works great for stainless steel sinks, cutting boards, containers, refrigerators, oven tops and more. Kosher Salt and Water: If you need a tougher abrasive sprinkle on kosher salt, and scrub with a wet cloth or sponge.

Natural Disinfectant: To knock out germs without strong products, mix 2 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of liquid soap and 20 to 30 drops of tea tree oil. Spray or rub on counter tops and other kitchen surfaces. For carpets and rugs make your own rug cleaner. Keeping carpets clean is less daunting than you might think, even after a season of tracked-in dirt and salt. Beat Those Rugs: Take any removable rugs outside and beat the dust and hair out with a broom. Club Soda: You’ve probably heard the old adage that club soda works well on carpet stains. But you have to attack the mess right away. Lift off any solids, then liberally pour on club soda. Blot with an old rag. The soda’s carbonation brings the spill to the surface, and the salts in the soda thwart staining. Cornmeal: For big spills, dump cornmeal on the mess, wait 5 to 15 minutes, and vacuum up the gunk. Spot Cleaner: Make your own by mixing: 1/4 cup liquid soap or detergent in a blender, with 1/3 cup water. Mix until foamy. Spray on, then rinse with vinegar. To Deodorize: Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch on the carpet or rug, using about 1 cup per medium-sized room. Vacuum after 30 minutes.

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