Research your accommodations. Before you travel, get on the Internet and find accommodations that are expressly environmentally conscious. While you are there, let the management team know that you specifically chose them because of their eco-friendly policies and practices, and also make recommendations for how to better their accommodations if you see such a need. They’ll not only be grateful for your business, but also for your support and advice.

Go paperless. Whenever possible, use electronic tickets, maps, itineraries and reservation methods. If you think about it, you can do most things with your laptop or smart phone and skip out on the paper-wasting altogether.

Reusable food storage. If you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing, then chances are you will be packing food and drink. Make it a point to use washable plastic containers to store and carry your food, as opposed to disposable items like plastic bags and Styrofoam bowls. Also, take your own reusable bags to market when you must buy food, and use utensils that can be washed and reused.

Transportation. Save on gas money and reduce your carbon footprint by traveling by foot or bicycle as much as possible while on vacation. Not only is this a great way to stay eco-friendly, but it is also a way to stay active and experience the outdoors while touring an area. If you must use a gas-powered vehicle to get a long distance, consider public transportation as opposed to a car rental.

Hotel housekeeping. Save water waste and avoid using excess detergents by letting your hotel’s housekeeping staff know that you do not need your sheets and towels washed any more than is absolutely necessary. Unless there is a real mess to contend with, it may be possible for you to go without freshly washed sheets for the entirety of the vacation.

Taking a trip does not have to mean that your earth friendly efforts have to go by the wayside, even temporarily. There are very easy and practical measures you can take to ensure that your eco-conscious values are not compromised by your travels. Just follow these tips to reduce waste while traveling, and set your eco-friendly conscience at ease.

Nutrient-rich soil. Once the materials in your compost pile have completely broken down, they have completely changed into a new material. This new material – or, compost – is full of nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous, copper, zinc, iron, manganese and more, that will enrich your soil and make it ideal for fostering healthy plant growth. Moreover, because the materials in compost decompose at different times, compost releases its nutrients in an ongoing, sustained basis.

Aeration. Compost improves the structure of soil. Soil structure is based on how the inorganic soil components, like sand, clay and silt, combine with the organic soil components, like hummus and compost, to create the soil’s texture. A good soil structure is loose and crumbly. Its round aggregates easily break into smaller round aggregates. This allows air to filter through the soil, which means plenty of life-giving oxygen can reach your plants’ roots, and tender new roots can easily expand into the soil.

Water balance. The exceptional quality of composted soil structure also allows for ample water drainage, and the round soil aggregates created by compost are very efficient at retaining the right amount of water for plant nourishment.

Soil Ph. The acidity level (or Ph) of compost is completely neutral. Therefore, when compost is added to soil, which is naturally higher in Ph, it helps balance out the soil’s Ph level, making it the optimal environment for plants.

Plant diseases and pests. The organic components of compost actually ward of common plant diseases. Compost is also shown to dramatically reduce pest infestations that can ruin a garden. Spend some time creating soil the pests don’t like and you won’t be looking at other agencies for a 2nd job just support the cost of pest control.

Eco-friendliness. Creating your own home compost pile is an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to your effort to go green. It is actually possible that as much as thirty percent of your home’s waste can go into a compost heap. That is a lot of waste that is being diverted from your garbage can.

Starting a compost pile at home is not a difficult undertaking, nor is it complicated to maintain a compost pile once you have it going. The benefits of having your own compost pile at home are definitely worth the effort, too. Start your compost pile today and you will be reaping the benefits in just a few short months.

• Save on electricity bill
With the continuous crises in fuel resources, fuel inflation is also continuous, giving people with no choice but to pay their high electricity bills. You can save a lot of energy by simply switching off your lights when not necessary, by unplugging all unused electric appliances or you may use surge protector. You can also replace your light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs like fluorescent, they last longer and they are energy savers. You may also stop using hot water in the laundry. Cold water can also clean your clothes as effectively.

• Save on gas
By avoiding using your vehicle to get to short destinations, you are saving yourself from a lot of gas expense, not to mention gas emission. You may also practice carpooling. Just ask your neighbors if they need a ride located near your destination. This will be cheaper for you and for your neighbors. You may also want to try public transportation. This may not be as comfortable as having your own car but they can save you a lot of money. You may also convert your car into bio fuel or any other alternative fuel to minimize the cost. By simple looking at these examples you would be able to not just help the environment but save money too.

Everything should be carefully planned and considered when choosing a specific home insurance policy. This is not something that you could quickly purchase and ask refund for, just in case it does not work out according to your needs. Shop around to compare and get the best and ideal deals that will suffice your budget and will be appropriate to the total cost of your property. You do not want to overspend nor underspend just to make sure that you are investing your money and time properly.

Despite of the recession that the world experienced, which also affected the real estate business; this is also the best opportunity to grab the biggest and better deal of home insurance policy. Hence, it does not mean that the prices went down that you could close the deal right away; the smart move is to gather information. It is advisable that you get recommendation from friends, particularly from your family and relatives who are using specific policies, where you could get direct feedback and suggestions. Go to some legitimate forums online to widen your perspective and idea.

In most cases, representatives from different insurance companies will not really technically discuss the setbacks of the products that they have, especially the coverage. That is your goal, to get the complete details, how much would you have to pay according to plan, and the result that you will get from using a home insurance calculator. You do not need to cover everything that you have in your home but pick up the things, which have a higher market value, in the future that you may include in your home insurance policy. Do not rush everything but ask real experts that could give you financial direction so you could properly dispose the money that you have on the right insurance plan.

Check the legitimacy of the company before turning your tables up so you would avoid being scammed in the future. Lastly, compare prices from different insurance companies using the same items that you would want to include in your insurance. Make a final investigation and closing advice from those people that you can trust that would give you reliable information, which is not based on sales promotion. The ideal still lies on your hand and not from the opinion of others. You will have the necessary information for you to take action for your home protection.

How fun is it to receive rewards while paying for your electric bill? Quite a unique idea don’t you think? You do not have to entertain your imagination any longer since Energy Plus Holdings offers the same kind of electrical service, with the choice of obtaining rewards such as miles points for air travel, educational rewards for children, hotel and rail rewards for travelers, retail benefits for shoppers and cash back for more budgeting advantages. How is this all possible if the service being used is just as the same as others?

This is because of deregulation that gives an option to consumers where they can decide for themselves on what companies they would like to have for the supply of gas, electricity, water, and other home resources. Aside from rewards, financial savings can also be achieved since there are suppliers these days that no longer obligate their members for fixed-rate monthly fees. It can be deceptive since the rate of electricity varies from day to day. Energy Plus Holdings adheres to such standards making electricity use more of a convenience, an investment, and not a necessary evil.

Enter “Eco Balls”, amazing little balls which, when thrown into your wash, do all the work your regular soap does (and claim to kill bacteria too) without any chemicals, detergents and the like. When you work out what you save on soap, the savings are enormous, with something like 6 cents a load with the balls, to approx. 80 cents with detergent, more depending on what brand you buy. You can buy kits which come with refills, stain remover (it doesn’t do that great with heavy stains) as well as dryer balls for “fabric softer” role.

So does it really work? While I wait for my order to arrive, I found a good review worth checking out. The verdict? Some liked it, others were disappointed with its cleaning power. There was also one complaint about how the ball came apart and broke her washing machine. Either way, its a product I think worth trying out for yourself -because I think eliminating detergents would be a great thing.

Using organic skincare products is more than just saving your skin from possible chemical irritation—it’s also saving the earth from home. However, that is only if you are using the real organic skincare.

Why Use Organic Skincare?

Organic skincare products are made up and processed without using any chemicals like synthetic fertilizers, pest killers, and preservatives. Thus, supporting organic skincare brands means encouraging chemical-free farming and processing.

That’s less pain for the earth and less damaging effects for the environment. As for your skin, that means less irritation, less potential damage, more natural glow, and more youthful appearance.

Beware of Some “Organic” Skincare Products

The dramatic increase of environmental concerns is taken advantaged by manufacturers. Adding the words “natural,” “organic,” “eco-friendly,” etc. on the label can instantly transform a poorly sold product into a market hit.

As a consumer, you need to be vigilant. Otherwise, you might only be contributing harm to the environment despite your desire to help. And the most painful part is, you are not aware of it.

Organic Skincare Labels

All products can say that they are “organic skincare.” But only few can have the real seal of being organic.

There are groups that are responsible for certifying that organic skincare products are really organic like the Australia’s Organic Food Chain, ECOCERT, USDA, UK’s Soil Association, and Germany’s BDIH.

They give certification depending on how organic an organic skincare product is. For instance, those with “Certified Organic” seal have at least 95% organic ingredients while those with “Made Organic” have at least 70%.

In the end, making your own organic skincare recipe is still the best way to make sure that you are using organic. But with the hectic lifestyle, using trusted organic skincare brands is a better and more comfortable way to save your skin and the environment.

More energy is wasted (as opposed to being saved) by recycling.
This argument is usually backed up by other ideas such as the gas and manpower that the trucks will use to run around town will offset any benefits of recycling plastic bottles and aluminum cans. The truth is, however, the energy needed to create new aluminum cans is so much more than what it takes to recycle. The bottom line is that recycling is still more beneficial.

“Natural” cleansers are not disinfectants.
Have you heard people say that natural cleansers are not effective against bacteria. According to experts, though, hydrogen peroxide mixed with apple cider or undiluted white vinegar is strong enough to kill bacteria such E. coli. What you can do is put the two liquids into separate containers and then spray one liquid first, with the other next. You can use this to clean your kitchen counters and even to clean fruits and vegetables.

It’s better to keep your heating settings at one temperature than to turn it up and down.
The rationale is that it will take more energy to heat up the room if you totally turn it off. That’s why some people think it’s better to keep the room heated at all times. Ask the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) – you will still save more by adjusting the temperature as needed.

In changing your ways to greener living, the key thing to remember is:

“little things mean a lot”

Meaning, you don’t have to go out marching in Washington or move your family to a yurt in the wilderness to save the earth.

Take your weekly trips to the grocery store, for instance. Just by being aware of what you buy can make loads of difference. For me, the main thing I’ve done in my home is to switch the cleaning supplies I use from the nose-burning, toxic, chemical-laden stuff to non-toxic, bio degradable brands. It was the smell that actually bothered me the most (especially when I was pregnant), so switching to the lovely natural stuff I use now as a surface cleaner, which uses orange oil, is such a great thing.

A small local company in my area makes most of the stuff I buy now (more points for saving on transport fuel) , but even the bigger guys are starting natural, eco-friendly lines now, like Clorox Green Works, which launched early this year. Did you know they bought Burts Bees too?

Here’s a part of a good article I found which should help you in the grocery. Read and heed.

Buy local. When food doesn’t have to travel far, it requires less packaging materials, fewer preservatives and often fewer pesticides. Not only are these processes bad for the environment but they also take away from the taste of the food. Another benefit to buying locally grown food is the shorter distances the produce needs to travel, which results in less damaging greenhouse gases.

Buy environmentally friendly products. Many companies are trying to be more environmentally conscious so look for brands that offer natural products in recycled packages.

Take fewer trips. Car emissions continue to be a major contributor to greenhouse gasses in Canada making carpooling and fewer trips to the grocery store a must. Making a grocery list in advance can help cut down on trips to the store for one-off forgotten items. Organizing a grocery store carpool with friends or neighbours is also a fun way to spend time with people while reducing the number of cars on the road.

Cut down on plastic bags. Canadians use approximately 10 billion plastic bags each year. Reducing that number means bringing reusable grocery bags with you to the store. If you don’t already have some, most stores have their own brand of reusable bags you can purchase while you are there. Another alternative is to use cardboard boxes to carry your groceries or paper bags that can be recycled.

If you think about it, camping is actually a great way to go on vacation and de-stress. It not only gives you time to totally enjoy nature but it is also a great alternative to the usual trip that puts a lot of stress on the environment.

One thing that you should always bear in mind when going camping is that you have to prepare to leave as little impact as you can. This is actually easier than it sounds. The little things that you do – or don’t do – can make a huge difference in maintaining the camp site.

For example, bring enough trash bags with you so that you do not have to leave any garbage behind. Cigarette butts, water bottles, tin cans, toilet paper, etc. – all these things should go into a receptacle that you can bring along with you. This way, you can dispose of your trash properly.

You should also bring environment-friendly soaps, shampoos, and cleansers. For sure you have to have these things for personal hygiene purposes. However, do make sure that you do not use products that can harm the water supply in the area. After all, you would want to have a clean campsite to go back to.

What other things can you do to keep your camping weekend fun and green?