Environmental Health

After a large meal at a restaurant, the server returns to the table with the check and the offer, "Would you like me to box that up for you?" The "box" is most likely made from polystyrene,...

Flourescent lighting, such as CFLs, save energy. However, broken flourescent tubes and other CFLs should be cleaned up with great caution to avoid mercury contamination. To protect the...

Many of our favorite products and containers are made from plastic. However, when we throw these plastics away they can often build up and cause some harmful effects. Most negative effects...

Asbestos is a mineral that was once used to insulate buildings but which has since been abandoned due to the health risks it poses when released into the air. Asbestos was formerly used in wall...

Hazardous waste has immediate or long-term risks to humans, animals, plants or the environment. Because of this, it is unsafe to dispose it with general waste and needs specific disposal methods....

Plastic grocery bags are a common sight in contemporary society. While they are extremely functional and easy to use, they have a number of negative effects on the environment and wallets.

Every one of us has an impact on the environment, whether it is our transportation, water consumption, or the way we use energy. This article will show you ways you can be more environmentally...

Plastic bags are everywhere. While there has been a resurgence of companies providing reusable bags for their customers, plastic bags are still used for almost everything. The properties of...

The widespread use of plastic bottles has caused Americans to look deeper into the possible health impact of plastic storage. Some studies show that certain chemicals used in plastic bottles could...

Use freezer bags, garbage bags, plastic bags from the grocery store to save money, and save extra space at the land fills.

Water bottles are everywhere now, and many view them as a must-have accessory for a healthy lifestyle. But several types of plastic water bottles are on the market, and it's worth understanding...

A metal water bottle is now becoming part of the American landscape. The graphic details all the benefits of using a metal water bottle. Reduces pollution, carbon footprint, cost of oil, saves...

Consumers are in increasingly turning to reusable water bottles and thermoses, finding the use of filtered tap water both environmentally and economically favorable. A study by the Environmental...

Although plastic and paper bags are cheap and easy to produce, they are often discarded without being recycled and can wreak havoc on the environment. Because plastic bags are not biodegradable,...

Plastic bags are routine in shopping locations. They are small and lightweight, and they can hold up to 17 lbs. each. While most people reuse them in some fashion, tossing them out can have...

Paper or plastic? The choice is not just about grocery bags, but about all sorts of containers, from juice boxes to laundry detergent. There are drawbacks to both kinds, and consumers often choose...

Plastic containers are becoming more popular as glass ones are used less and less. Deciding which ones are better for the environment is not a simple issue, because a lot of factors have to be...

CCA treated wood is a common product used to build decks, patios and small outbuildings. The mixture of copper, chromium and arsenic that is injected into the wood makes it resistant to rot, mold,...

While the Food and Drug Administration has approved plastic bottles for consumer use, there are still some lingering questions about plastic bottles versus glass bottles and which are the safest...

Grocery shoppers are faced with the question, "Paper or plastic?" It would be nice if the case was clear so that we didn't have to make the decision at all. Unfortunately, it's not so simple. ...

Some plastics are rarely or never recycled, even when a curbside recycling program accepts them. These plastics are not only a threat to the environment, but they could be a serious threat to your...

Recycling plastics benefits the health of the environment, but choosing some plastics over others can benefit the health of consumers as well. The number printed on the bottom of every plastic...

Plastic is everywhere, and it takes 10 to 100 years to break down, depending on its quality. As people become more aware of the impact of plastic on our environment, plastic recycling programs are...

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a known endocrine disruptor, meaning that it mimics the effects of hormones in the body. Even handling the containers may allow these chemicals to enter your body. BPA is...

America's obsession with drinking bottled water has hit its peak, with many contending that our nation's use of soft plastic bottles has gone too far. Indeed, a number of problems are associated...

With increasing discussion about the environmental effects of plastic bags, individuals, retailers and even governments are exploring ways to reduce the effect of plastic bag waste.

It seems hard to believe that something as simple as a plastic bag could be the source of so many problems. But it can be. And in many cases, it's not just a single plastic bag doing all the...

As more and more cities and stores ban plastic bags, the use of reusable grocery bags has become a must. The question "paper or plastic" is becoming less prevalent, as savvy consumers adopt the...

Want to take the rest of your dinner home or your coffee to go? In these instances, you usually will be handed a Styrofoam container. On first glance, Styrofoam seems harmless and effective due to...

There are seven different types of plastic. They are explained in "How to Quickly Understand the Types of Plastic (Plastic Codes)" Types 1,2,4,5 are recyclable. Types 3,6,7 are not...

With going "green" being all the rage, try following these simple tips below to cut town on waste and join the green movement! Not only will you be doing the planet a favor, but you'll...

Chicago is perported to have winters with the MEAN temperature colder than that of Alaska. I hope it means the Southern part of Alaska. But Chicago can be visciously and sometimes fatally cold. ...

Although we do not realize it, plastic is one of the most revolutionary materials ever invented. The purpose of this article is to provide a quick description of the various types of plastic we...

Styrofoam cups and containers are virtually everywhere. While these cups might seem convenient because they are durable and lightweight, they can have a negative impact on the environment and...

Our world has become filled with so much plastic and disposable trash. The amounts of disposable trash made for our “convenience” has inadvertently affected our environment in many ways, from...

Most plastics are generally identified by numbers embossed on their bottoms enabling us to know how safe they are for home use and how to recycle them. The numbers from 1-7, indicate the type and...

Rumors disguised as fact have been rampant in recent years that freezing water in plastic bottles poses a health danger. It turns out that freezing water in plastic bottles may be one of the safer...

Recycling has become a part of daily life for many people. Not only is it the environmentally responsible thing to do, but it can put a little extra money in your pocket at the same time. It is...

Refilling plastic water bottles seems like a no-brainer when it comes to being environmentally conscious. It's a quick and easy way of on-the-spot recycling and lengthens the time before you have...

Plastic bags create a number of environmental problems, as they are often mistaken for food, and many birds and turtles are affected by this. Discover the significance of keeping plastic bags out...

Plastic is recycled by being sorted into numbers, baled up and re-manufactured into the bottles that were recycled. Discover the importance of being proactive with recycling plastic with help from...

When plastic is recycled, it is sorted to separate different types of plastic, after which it is crushed into a cube and bailed. Find out about plastic that goes to a waste-to-energy facility with...

It's important to recycle plastic bottles because plastic will last forever in a landfill, and plastic bottles are easily recycled. Discover how most plastic bottles used to drink soda or water...

Plastic bags were first introduced in 1862 in London. The term plastic was coined in 1909, but did not really take hold until after World War I. Prior to that, plastic was used in something called...

Plastic bags may be cheap and easy to use, but they're unhealthy for the planet. This article explains some of the problems that plastic bags cause and what can be done to offset their damage.

In order to determine if a plastic is recyclable or not, it is important to understand what the different numbers mean on the bottom of plastic products. Some are recyclable, some are not. In...

Plastic is a versatile and potentially indestructible material, which makes it ideal for a number of commercial and household uses. Indeed, plastic has become a substitute for many items which...

With all of the plastic containers out there, it is a bit overwhelming to think that some may be good and some may be bad. What makes a bad plastic bottle? Some kinds of plastic leach chemicals...