Go Green This Holiday Season

/PRNewswire/ -- According to experts, most of us will generate 25 percent more waste during the holidays compared with the rest of the year -- resulting in an extra 5 million tons of garbage. To encourage consumers to "trim their trash" while trimming their trees, Plastics Make it Possible(SM), an initiative sponsored by the plastics industries of the American Chemistry Council, offers this holiday "how to" guide for reusing and recycling everyday plastics.

According to a recent national survey conducted by Plastics Make it Possible(SM), 67 percent of Americans recycle to do their part to help the environment. During the holidays, it's especially important that we keep it up.

"From beverage bottles and food containers to shopping bags and dry cleaning wrap, so much of the waste we generate during the holidays is recyclable," said Steve Russell, vice president of the American Chemistry Council's Plastics Division. "These valuable plastic materials can be easily recycled in many communities and given a second life as carpeting, clothing, furniture, durable backyard decks and home building products, new bottles and bags, and other products we use every day."

By turning the following reuse and recycling tips into household habits, you can help reduce waste, keep valuable plastics out of landfills, and protect our planet during the holidays and year-round.

1. Get smart. Find out which plastics are accepted for recycling
in your community. Today, more than 80 percent of U.S. households
have access to a recycling program, and the vast majority of them
collect plastic bottles. A bottle is any container with a neck or
opening that's smaller than its base. Include the following
wherever plastic bottles are recycled:
-- Milk jugs
-- Beverage bottles (e.g., water, soft drinks, juice and beer)
-- Bottles from shampoo, toiletries, laundry detergent and other
household cleaners
-- Salad dressing, cooking oil and condiment bottles
-- Food jars, such as peanut butter and mayonnaise
2. Remove and rinse. Before tossing bottles in the recycle bin,
remove the caps. Be sure to rinse bottles that previously
contained food. (Empty beverage bottles can go straight into the
bin.) Unless your community specifically asks for them, bottle
caps should be placed in the garbage, not the recycle bin.
Similarly, bags should be clean and empty. Do not include plastic
food wrap or bags that have food residue.
3. Reuse, reuse, reuse! From wrapping to ribbons, boxes to packing
peanuts, gather and save gift wrap and packing materials for next
year! And don't forget bags -- there are many helpful ways to
reuse plastic bags, including:
-- Wet umbrella cover - keep other items in your bag dry when your
umbrella is wet
-- Suitcase savers - wrap shoes before packing them with clean
clothes
-- Hand protectors - place them over your hands to handle messes
indoors and out
-- Kitchen clean-up - place them under the cutting board for
quick scrap removal
-- Trash can liners - use them in bathrooms and other household
waste baskets
-- Doggie duty - bring them on dog walks to collect and dispose of
pet waste
4. Bring bags back. Most large grocery stores and some
retailers (e.g., Wal-Mart) offer plastic bag drop-off programs
that allow consumers to return their used bags and product wraps
to be recycled. These bins are usually located at the front
entrance or near checkout areas. Almost all kinds of clean
plastic bags are accepted for recycling in these programs, including:
-- Grocery bags
-- Retail bags (remove hard plastic or string handles)
-- Plastic newspaper bags
-- Dry cleaning bags (remove paper and hangers)
-- Bread bags (with crumbs shaken out)
-- You can also include plastic wraps from products such as paper
towels, bathroom tissue, napkins, diapers and cases of soda
wherever plastic bags are collected for recycling.
5. Pitch in beyond the kitchen. While many recyclable bottles
come from the kitchen, don't forget to check the bathrooms and
laundry room for shampoo and detergent bottles.
6. Practice patience. On the road this holiday season and can't
find a recycle bin? Don't throw your empty bottles in the trash --
temporarily store them in a purse or briefcase, or simply leave
them in the car until arriving home to place in a recycle bin.
And don't forget to temporarily put the cap back on your bottle
to prevent leakage until you can properly recycle it.
7. Don't throw out the leftovers. Saving your lidded plastic
food containers and plastic to-go containers from take-out
could provide a free and easy way for holiday party guests to
carry home leftovers. Plus, they can keep these items and reuse
them again.
8. Check for containers. In addition to bottles, roughly one-third of
communities are collecting and recycling plastic containers, such as
yogurt cups, tubs, trays and lids. If you're only recycling bottles,
check to see if your community is one of the many areas that has
recently added food containers to its list of collectibles.
9. When in doubt, leave it out. Keep in mind that mixing the wrong types
of materials (even other plastics) can lower the quality of the
recycled material. So unless your community specifically asks for
plastics other than bottles, please put only bottles into the
recycling bin. Keep these items out of the recycle bin unless your
community specifically accepts them:
-- No plastic bags or wraps (take them to your grocery store, if
accepted)
-- No automotive, pesticide or solvent bottles
-- No lids or spray pumps
-- No toys
-- No trays, tubs or containers (unless your community accepts them;
more and more communities are recycling these types of containers
in addition to bottles, so it's worth checking.)
10. Adopt a second life mindset. Do you ever wonder where your
recyclables go? Keep in mind that today's water bottle could be
tomorrow's little black dress or carpeting or backyard deck.


For more tips and ideas on plastics reuse and recycling, visit www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com.

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American Association of Poison Control Centers: Treat Poinsettias and Mistletoe with Respect Rather Than Fear This Holiday Season

/PRNewswire/ -- Poinsettias and mistletoe, while lovely symbols of the holiday season, have long been thought to be gravely poisonous.

But while ingesting these holiday plants can cause discomfort, data from the American Association of Poison Control Centers indicates they are not quite the deadly hazards they've long been believed to be.

"Treating a poinsettia exposure is a glass of milk for the child and a tincture of reassurance for the parent," said Dr. Ed Krenzelok, managing director of the Pittsburgh Poison Center. "That's it."

Krenzelok has authored studies on both mistletoe and poinsettias that found that both are less deadly than the lore about them would indicate. His 1996 study on poinsettias found that most patients exposed to poinsettias can be treated at home without going to a health care facility. That study examined 22,793 poinsettia exposures and found no fatalities among them.

In 2008, U.S. poison centers received 1,174 calls about human exposures to poinsettias. Of those calls, only one resulted in one moderate medical effect and 27 resulted in a minor effect. No deaths or major effects were reported. In 2007, meanwhile, poison centers received 1,373 calls about poinsettia exposures and only three resulted in a moderate medical effect and 36 resulted in a minor effect.

In 2008, poison centers took 277 calls regarding animal exposures to poinsettias and in 2007 took 326 calls regarding animal exposure to poinsettias. Again, no deaths or major medical outcomes were reported.

"Other than a little bit of vomiting, we don't expect any problems from poinsettias," said Tina Wismer, a veterinary toxicologist for the Animal Poison Control Center in Urbana, Ill. She said poison centers field plenty of calls about animals eating poinsettias, but has never seen a serious effect. She advises callers not to panic about an animal nibbling at a poinsettia.

That said, Krenzelok cautions that taking anything in excess can be hazardous. Even drinking too much water, he said, can be dangerous.

Mistletoe, too, has suffered from a bad reputation, he said. In 2008, U.S. poison centers took 132 calls about human exposures to mistletoe and in 2007 131 calls about the plant. During both years, only one person saw a moderate medical outcome because of mistletoe exposure.

Those with questions about holiday plants or any other holiday-related product should call their poison center at 1 (800) 222-1222 for answers.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers supports the nation's poison control centers in their efforts to prevent poisoning. Poison centers offer free and confidential services 365 days a year and around the clock.

If you have questions or someone has eaten part of a mistletoe or poinsettia, please call 1 (800) 222-1222.

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Plants liven up the holidays

Flowers are University of Georgia horticulturist Paul Thomas’s specialty. And, for holiday plant suggestions, they’re his top pick. But when asked, “What was the best plant you’ve ever gotten for Christmas?” his answer is: “A ming aralia that I got from my mother-in-law. It’s strictly a foliage plant, and it looks like a bonsai. It’s really awesome.”

Ming aralias, specifically polyscias fruticosa ‘elegans’, have carrot-like foliage and woody stems as they get older. A ming aralia was “the plant for kings and queens to have,” he said. “It grows slowly and beautifully.”

While they are beautiful and do make good gifts, they’re also a challenge, he said. The biggest danger is overwatering and over-fertilizing. They only need a tiny bit of diluted fertilizer every few months.

When it comes to buying gift plants, the best place to purchase them is at a local florist’s shop. “They have the best quality, and they’re grown by specialists for the highest quality,” he said.

Thomas likes to give flowering plants as gifts. A deep basket filled with a few pots of colored calla lilies or a basket with a cluster of cyclamen topped with white or silver grass “makes a stunning gift,” he said.

For gift giving, Thomas suggests:

• Calceolaria. The flowers look like a pocketbook, which gives it its common name of ‘pocketbook plant.’ “It’s just cool and unusual,” he said. Flower colors range from yellow to bright red with polka dots. The flowers are delicate, so handle it carefully.

The plants must be kept moist but not flooded with water. They like sunny windowsills that are cool but not freezing. There, they’ll last about a month. They can’t be saved and planted outside in Georgia, because they will die of plant diseases.

• Cinerarias. These plants look like daisies, but their colors are more intense, or, as Thomas puts it, they have “five times the impact” of daisy flowers. The blossom colors range from purple to yellow.

Like calceolaria, they need sunlight and water. “Don’t let either of these plants dry out ever,” he said. “I put them on my coffee table during the day and on the windowsill at night.” They will live about six weeks.

• Cyclamen. These plants bloom white, pink or bright red. They can be found in grocery stores, aren’t expensive and are a great substitute for poinsettias if someone is allergic to latex, which is found in poinsettia plants. Kept cool and moist, cyclamen blooms will last three to four months. “Buy five or six plants and put them in a big basket with white or silver grass, like the kind they sell at Easter,” Thomas said. “It makes a really nice Christmas gift.”

They’re also a good gift plant if the holiday you celebrate isn’t Christmas. Because they are native in Israel, they are a good choice as a Hanukkah plant, he said.

• Miniature roses. These tiny blooming beauties can do double duty as both a holiday plant and a garden attraction come spring. They prefer cool spots inside until all chance of frost has passed. Then plant them near the foundation or in another protected area of the yard.

• Calla lilies. “Normally, people would buy bouquets of calla lilies, but sometimes florists will sell calla lily bulbs in pots,” Thomas said. When growing calla lilies, their bulbs should be kept moist and their flowers dry. The stems also need to be staked so they won’t fall over and break.

“Three to four pots in a deep basket are a really nice gift,” he said. “They’ll last a long time.”

Before visiting a local florist, give them a call, Thomas said, especially if you have one type of plant you might want to give to several different people. “Get your orders in now to get the best quality for the Christmas season,” he said.

By Stephanie Schupska
University of Georgia

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Fresh Trees Liven Up the Holiday Season

Charlie Brown trees and brown needles don’t have to haunt you this holiday season. With the help of a few tips and tricks from the University of Georgia, your Christmas tree will be fresh long after the celebrating is over.

Before picking out a tree, decide the size, species and how much you want to spend. Then, select a fresh tree that has been properly maintained and cared for while still on the lot.

“Taking really good care of a tree at home after you purchase it does not reverse the abuse it can get waiting on the lot,” said Don Gardner, the UGA Cooperative Extension coordinator in Glynn County.

Picking the freshest tree

Look for trees displayed in the shade or under a tent and in tree stands with water in them. The sun and wind pull water out of the tree, so good growers will keep their trees out of the sun.

To find the perfect tree, look for one with uniform distribution of branches and no holes in the needle canopy. Also make sure it smells fresh.

“The more water stress the tree is under, the less fragrance it emits,” Gardner said. “Fresh trees smell better.”

Test freshness by gently pulling several of the branch ends through your hand to see how many needles fall off.

“Don’t try to strip the needles off the branch,” said Gardner. “Stroke it as if it were a cat’s tail -- a cat you like. All cut trees will lose some needles, but the fewer the better.”

From the farm

Although there is little difference between buying a tree from a local tree farm or from a commercial retailer, buying from a farm is great for making family memories and helps keep local farmers in business, Gardner said.

“Loading everybody into the truck to pick out a tree at a farm is a fun day itself,” Gardner said, “and the more family members involved in picking out the tree, the more eyes there are making sure the tree stays watered.”

Many Georgia tree farms also hold family events and offer refreshments during farm visits.

“Buying local helps keep your friendly neighborhood Christmas tree grower in business and keeps good farmland in production,” Gardner said. “Buying from a local tree farm is definitely the ‘green’ thing to do.”

Taking it home

To get your Christmas tree home safely, have the seller tie it up and put the tree inside your vehicle if possible. If you put the tree on your vehicle rooftop, bring a few large plastic bags and put the tree in the bags stump end first. Then face the stump end forward on your rooftop. This will reduce wind blow-drying effects and water loss.

Many sellers will offer to trim off the stump end of the tree, Gardner said. Instead, wait until you get home to do so.

At home, trim low limbs and cut the tree stump at an angle with a sharp saw. Gardner advises running water over the stump while cutting it.

“While making the cut, have a helper hold a running hose over the cut so you are virtually making the cut under water. This is the difference between a tree that lasts two weeks and a tree that lasts two months,” Gardner said.

Then, quickly move the tree into your house and into its stand. Immediately add water until the tree stand is about two-thirds full. Then secure the tree into the stand.

After your tree is in place, keep it watered. Be sure the trunk’s cut surface is never exposed to the air.

“A new tree may surprise you at how much water it will suck up and how quickly it will do it,” Gardner said. “A 10-foot tree can use over a quart of water in the first three hours.”

Water your tree at least three times a day during the first few days and twice a day thereafter.

By Allie Byrd
University of Georgia

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Gifts for the Gardener on Your List

Avid gardener Charlie Christian says people like him enjoy getting gardening-related gifts for Christmas. But if you have gardeners on your shopping list, whatever you do, don’t give them cheap tools. Give them something they’ll remember.

“I speak for a lot of gardeners when I say please don’t give your gardening friends low-quality tools,” said Christian, 73, a retired dentist from Madison, Ga. “I’d much rather receive one high-quality garden tool than a bunch of cheap ones that won’t last a year. And please don’t give an adult a set of child-size tools.”

Christian has been gardening since his father helped him plant a Victory Garden in 1942. He’s also one of state’s 2,500 active Master Gardeners, individuals who have completed the 11-week Master Gardener program provided by the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Gardeners' list of best gifts

He recently polled the Master Gardeners in his area for their opinions on holiday gifts. The high-end choice gifts were labelers, four-wheel carts and truckloads of garden amendments.
They also wanted Santa to deliver nice hand pruners, lopper pruners, ratchet pruners, garden gloves or garden hoses.

“A sprinkler with a timer would be a great gift, too,” he said. “And a container of Roundup will always be appreciated and put to good use.”

Plants top the list

Among his gardening friends, the most requested gift was plants.

“Everyone wants pass-a-long plants and rooted cuttings,” he said. “I toured a lovely garden recently, and the owner told me it consisted mainly of plants she had received from friends or grew from cuttings.”

Low-light house plants are also great. Gardeners typically like indoor plants, too, he said.
“A plant that can be later planted outside in the garden can serve as a reminder of the gift-giver for years,” Christian said.

Krissy Slagle, the Master Gardener program assistant coordinator, has put a lot of thought into the gifts she’d like to receive.

Hats, gloves and pants

“I’d really like a pair of gardening gloves with hooks on them so you can fasten them on your belt,” she said. “I’m always laying my gloves down, and then I have no idea where they are.”
For the same reason, Slagle wants a sheath or an apron with pockets to keep her gardening tools close at hand. “I’ve even thought of attaching a keychain with a cord to my pruners.”

Clothes are nice, she said, like a hat for sun protection or pants with reinforced knees. Camouflaged pants from hunting supply stores are flexible and hold up well over time.
Give a membership to a botanical garden, she said, or gift certificate from a seed supply company.

Cordless, low-emission power tools

Don’t forget cordless gardening tools, she said. They’re great for small jobs.

“The new cordless tools have lower emissions. So, they are better for the environment, too,” she said. “A cordless saw-all pruner is on the top of my wish list this year.”

She also suggests giving interactive CDs, garden design software or reference books. Her favorite insect book right now is “Garden Insects of North America” written by Colorado State University entomologist Whitney Cranshaw. Any books from CAES horticulturists Michael Dirr or Alan Armitage would be good, too.

Dream gifts, thrifty gifts

Slagle’s pie-in-the-sky dream gift is a Dingo. “It’s a self-propelled compact utility loader with attachments. It’s the all-time, ultimate gardening gift,” she said.

If your pockets aren’t deep enough for a Dingo, most gardeners would be thrilled to get a small tiller, she said.

If your funds are low, though, give a bag of manure, compost or potting soil. Or, build your gardener a compost bin.

“Better yet,” said Christian, “offer to till their garden for them in March. That would truly be a dream gift.”

By Sharon Dowdy
University of Georgia

Sharon Dowdy is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

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Handmade Gifts Make a Holiday Comeback

(ARA) – Instead of battling crowded shopping malls and rising prices, Kim Jacobson is spending time in her garage, building holiday gifts in her home woodshop.

For several years, the Minnesota-based occupational therapist has been handcrafting holiday presents as part of her husband Gary's family's unusual -- and refreshing -- annual gift exchange.

"There's only one rule," Gary explains. "Everything has to be homemade. You draw a name at Christmas and have the next year to make that person a present."

It's a tradition Kim says cuts through the commercialism surrounding the holidays, to the core of what the season is all about.

"A lot of love goes into what you make," she says.

It's also part of an emerging trend, according to Ann Rockler Jackson, chief executive officer of Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, one of the nation's largest suppliers of woodworking tools and equipment.

Jackson has seen her company's gift-related supply sales increase steadily over the past five years and believes more consumers are seeking a back-to-the-basics approach to gifts.

"People are getting tired of the shopping-mall mentality surrounding holiday gifts," she says. "Building your own can be so much more personal. There are a lot of creative people out there making incredible, meaningful gifts they couldn't buy at a store. And that do-it-yourself population is growing.

"Plus, it's a nice way to save money," she says. "When you have the skills and ability to eliminate labor costs by doing something yourself, it pays dividends -- particularly in a tough economy."

As the number of people building gifts increases, so does the flow of ideas. Rockler has organized an extensive handmade gift list on its Web site, www.rockler.com/handmade.

Some of the more popular projects on the list are relatively simple to build -- things like small jewelry or keepsake boxes. Dominoes, cribbage boards and wooden Sudoku sets are among the many options for beginners. And for those with wood lathes, hardware kits for hand-turned pens, Christmas ornaments and even ice-cream scoops bring the quality of homemade gifts up to -- or beyond -- the store-bought level.

For the Jacobsons, high-quality homemade gifts are nothing new. With several accomplished woodworkers in the family, they have seen some amazing creations over the years.

"Probably the most impressive was a dining room table my cousin made for his sister-in-law," Gary says. "That will be an heirloom, for sure."

Still, the beauty of the Jacobson's tradition -- and one of the driving forces behind home gift-building's burgeoning popularity -- has as much to do with fellowship as it does with craftsmanship.

"It's definitely brought us all closer together," Kim says.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Decorative Projects for the Holidays

NF Note: Tis almost the season to start decorating Fayette County for the holidays. One of our favorite outings is to look at all the houses wearing showcasing their holiday finery.

(ARA) – The weather is changing and the days are getting shorter, which means the holiday season is just around the corner. As you prepare to host family and friends, now is the time to dust off those old decorations and to consider some simple ideas to add a festive feel to your home this year.

“The holiday season is a special time for families,” says Ashleigh Sala, Dremel associate product manager. “Whether baking cookies, wrapping gifts or decorating our homes, the holidays seem to bring out the creative spirit in all of us.”

If you have a busy schedule or a small budget, you can still find inspiration to decorate for the holidays. By following a few simple instructions, these inexpensive, decorative projects can add a special touch to your home:

Wreath
Decorating a wreath is an easy at-home project that will highlight your front door for the holidays. To create a unique wreath, you will need to gather your materials, including a fresh pine bough wreath, garland, ribbon, pinecones and berries. The first step is to wrap ribbon around the wreath gluing every four inches to secure. Try the Dremel Glue Gun to prevent drips and to keep your work area clean. Next, wrap garland around the wreath gluing every four inches to secure. Then, glue a variety of pinecones and berries in place around the frame to give it a festive look. The final step is to attach a wire loop on the back of the wreath using picture wire. Once this is done, adorn your front door with your new masterpiece.

Mantle
During the holidays, your fireplace mantle is the perfect place to add festive decorations. It is the one area in your home that will get a lot of attention. Most people decorate their mantle with garland, but consider adding lights and bows to brighten it up. In addition to decorative garland, include eye catching ornaments or even candles. Remember, your mantle is the centerpiece of your room, so choose colors that complement your decor for a fresh look.

Centerpiece
Making a holiday centerpiece is a fun activity that can help spruce up your table with little effort. Start with a wicker basket and glue pine branches or garland in the bottom of the basket, lining the basket. Then, arrange an assortment of artificial fruit or holiday ornaments over the pine branches or garland. Once you have the look that you want, lift each piece of fruit or holiday ball carefully and glue back in to position. After the fruit or ornaments are in place, add accents such as candy canes, berries or even small pinecones to liven it up. Finish the centerpiece by tying a ribbon into a bow and gluing it to the front of the basket. Your table will be ready for a joyful holiday meal.

Coffee Table
To highlight your coffee table, gather a decorative tray, tiny holiday ornaments, holiday ribbon and various sized pillar candles. Arrange the candles on the tray in an asymmetrical pattern. Fill the spaces with the ornaments, weave the ribbon among the tray and light the candles for a soft and portable ambiance.

Candy Dish
Candy plays a central role in most holiday celebrations, so embrace it by making a large, decorative, candy dish to put on display in your home. First, glue candy canes, side-by-side to the outside of a terra cotta pot. For extra sparkle, add other decorations such as beads or ornaments. Then, wrap a ribbon around the pot and tie in a bow. After the candy canes are in position and the ribbon is secure, fill the pot with an assortment of wrapped candy for guests to enjoy. Remember, you may have to refill the dish on several occasions.

For more creative at-home projects, visit www.dremel.com or call the Dremel Experts at (800) 437-3635.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Glam, Gorgeous and Green Entertaining

(ARA) – So you’ve made the environmentally conscious choice to be green this year ... but with the holidays just around the corner, how will this decision impact your entertaining?

Maintaining discipline can be difficult during the ”season of indulgence.” Just as many diets might go out the window; so may your environmental self-discipline. However, maintaining a green focus during the holidays doesn’t have to mean bland food and brown, recycled napkins. Organic food can be delicious -- special enough to serve at parties -- and sustainable table linens can be glamorous. Green choices can actually enhance your guests’ experience in your home; rather than inhibit it.

“Green products are far from plain and unattractive. The ‘green movement’ has been embraced by the architecture and design community -- so there is an abundance of smartly styled, design-forward items that are also eco-friendly,” says Judy Riley, vice president of design at Moen Incorporated.

Here are some suggestions to keep in mind as you plan this year’s holiday party, starting with the two rooms your guests are sure to see -- the kitchen and the powder room. Some changes are quick and simple; while others have a longer-term impact that you can enjoy long after your guests are gone.

A Gorgeous, Green Kitchen
It’s a fact -- whether you’re entertaining two guests or 20 -- the one spot they’ll most likely congregate is the kitchen. And fortunately, making a green impact in this room is easy.

If you need to purchase a new table and chairs to accommodate a large dinner party, look for second-hand tables and refurbished chairs with character. And if you’re looking for a “green” kitchen remodel, Riley suggests:

* Installing cabinetry or built-ins made with certifiable, eco-friendly wood (meaning they were not made from rain forest materials or endangered woods).

* Using Zodiaq quartz counters, which are more eco-friendly than granite and are available in a palette of beautiful colors.

* Installing bamboo wood flooring, which provides the natural beauty of wood while also being environmentally friendly.

* If you’re setting up the bar for guests, a Moen AquaSuite filtering faucet in the kitchen will provide filtered water at your sink -- virtually eliminating the need for bottled water.

The Perfect Powder Room
After the kitchen, the next most-visited room at your dinner party is the powder room, or guest half-bath. To add a green flair here, Riley recommends:

* Enhancing the mood of your soiree with candles -- not only do they soften the lighting and add a festive flair; but they also are electricity-free.

* Incorporating ceramic tile in floors, countertops and walls. Some ceramic tiles are made from recycled products, such as discarded bottle glass.

* Installing electronic faucets or faucets certified to meet WaterSense criteria to conserve water. The hands-free Destiny electronic powder room faucet from ShowHouse by Moen features a sleek, minimalist design and a distinctly-styled spout that produces a sheeting water flow -- providing water only when it is needed.

Another earth-friendly option, Moen’s new Rothbury bath faucet, allows water to flow at an optimized 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm), versus traditional aerators that flow at 2.2 gpm. This faucet, certified to meet WaterSense criteria, not only reduces water usage by up to 32 percent, but it also is extremely stylish and available in a number of on-trend finishes.

Earth-Friendly Entertaining
Once your decorating is complete, it’s time to add a few, final green touches to your event:
* Invite an acoustic guitarist to play at the party -- not only will it give your event a more intimate feel, it will also conserve energy.

* Buy beverages in aluminum cans and glass bottles that can be recycled; and create a ”festive” reminder for guests to dispose of these items in a recycling bin.

Finally, remember that every little bit counts -- and by showing your guests a glamorous -- and green -- experience, you can empower them to follow in your eco-conscious footsteps.

For more information on Moen’s eco-friendly faucets or to request a Moen sustainability brochure, visit www.moen.com or call (800) BUY-MOEN (800-289-6636).

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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