Both have their benefits to the environment—but which one is better for climate-responsive landscaping?

In recent years cities around the world have started investing in green infrastructure to make urban areas more liveable and climate resilient. From rooftop gardens to vertical forests, green design is no longer a trend—it’s a necessity. Homeowners and landscape designers are catching on and looking for practical solutions that look good, work with nature and can withstand harsher weather.

For example in water scarce regions many are moving away from thirsty lawns and instead use quality synthetic grass products to maintain greenery while saving water. Others are exploring living walls to insulate buildings and cool urban heat zones. As we face rising temperatures, longer droughts and stronger storms how we design our outdoor spaces has a direct impact on local ecosystems, human health and energy use.

That’s why it’s more important than ever to understand the options—and how they compare.

Let’s break it down in simple human terms so you can decide which one is best for your space.

Image by franky1st on Pixabay

What Is Climate-Responsive Landscaping?

Before we dive into comparing green walls and ground covers, let’s understand the big idea behind both: climate-responsive landscaping.

This is a style of landscape design that:

• Helps manage heat, water, and energy more efficiently
• Uses plants and materials that respond well to local weather conditions
• Supports sustainability and long-term environmental health

With record-breaking heat waves, rising sea levels, and water shortages happening around the world, landscaping isn’t just about beauty anymore—it’s about building resilience.

Popular features in climate-responsive landscaping include:

• Native and drought-tolerant plants
• Rain gardens and permeable paving
• Shade trees and green infrastructure
• Green roofs, vertical gardens, and turf alternatives

And that brings us to our two key players: vertical green walls and horizontal ground covers.

What Are Vertical Green Walls?

Vertical green walls—also called living walls or vertical gardens—are structures that allow plants to grow upwards along walls or freestanding panels. These are often found on the sides of buildings, inside courtyards, or even indoors in large offices or malls.

Benefits of Green Walls

• Save Space: Ideal for cities and urban homes with limited ground area
• Cool Buildings Naturally: They act like natural insulation, reducing the need for air conditioning
• Improve Air Quality: Plants filter pollutants and produce oxygen
• Reduce Noise Pollution: Especially helpful near roads or noisy areas
• Beautify Spaces: Let’s be honest—they look amazing

Things to Consider

• Cost: Installation can be expensive due to the need for frames, irrigation, and drainage systems
• Maintenance: Requires regular care, trimming, and checking for plant health
• Water Use: Needs a good watering system, especially in hot climates
• Plant Selection: Not all plants thrive vertically; choosing the right ones is key

Image by Squirrel_photos on Pixabay

Best For:

• Tight urban environments
• Commercial buildings
• Courtyards or balconies
• Creating visual interest or privacy walls

What Are Horizontal Ground Covers?

Ground covers are low-growing plants that spread across the soil surface, protecting it and reducing the need for traditional lawns. They can include native grasses, clover, creeping herbs, mosses, or even synthetic turf alternatives.

Benefits of Ground Covers

• Reduces Soil Erosion: Helps keep topsoil in place, especially on slopes
• Controls Weeds: Fewer weeds mean less maintenance
• Cools the Ground: Lowers surface temperatures and provides habitat for small wildlife
• Absorbs Rainwater: Helps manage stormwater naturally

Things to Consider

• Space Requirements: Needs enough horizontal space to spread
• Plant Selection: Must choose the right cover for your climate and soil
• Watering: Some options may still require irrigation in dry seasons
• Durability: Foot traffic can damage soft ground covers

For hot or dry regions, many homeowners now use quality synthetic grass products to reduce water use while still enjoying a green yard. These products mimic natural grass but need less maintenance, making them a smart choice for sustainable landscapes.

Best For:

• Backyards and suburban gardens
• Rooftop gardens
• Parks and pathways
• Slope stabilization

Vertical vs. Horizontal: Which One Is Better for Climate?

Let’s compare these two side by side based on key climate-friendly goals:

1. Heat Reduction

• Green Walls: Reduce surface temperatures on buildings by up to 15°C (59°F)
• Ground Covers: Lower the “heat bounce” effect from concrete and reduce air temperatures at ground level
• Winner: Tie. Both help, but in different ways—walls cool buildings directly, while ground covers cool the surrounding air.

2. Water Management

• Green Walls: Require built-in drainage; excess water must be managed carefully
• Ground Covers: Act as a sponge—absorbing rainwater and reducing runoff
• Winner: Ground Covers—especially in areas with heavy rainfall.

3. Energy Efficiency

• Green Walls: Reduce indoor cooling needs and can cut energy use by 10–25%
• Ground Covers: Don’t insulate buildings but help regulate outdoor microclimates
• Winner: Green Walls—great for energy savings.

4. Biodiversity & Habitat

• Green Walls: Limited biodiversity but good for pollinators if flowering plants are used
• Ground Covers: Support soil microbes, insects, and ground-dwelling animals
• Winner: Ground Covers—better for building healthy ecosystems.

5. Cost & Maintenance

• Green Walls: More complex and costly to set up and maintain
• Ground Covers: Easier to plant and care for, especially with native or synthetic options
• Winner: Ground Covers—more budget-friendly.

The Latest Data and Trends in Green Landscaping

Staying updated helps us make smarter choices. Here are some recent findings:

• A 2024 study published in Urban Climate Journal found that green walls can lower wall surface temperatures by up to 15°C, helping reduce heat in dense urban zones.
• The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) reports that replacing traditional lawns with ground covers can cut outdoor water use by 30–60%.
• A 2023 report by the Global Green Infrastructure Network shows that buildings with green walls report 10–25% lower energy consumption on average.

Emerging Trends:

• Modular green walls that are easier to install and maintain
• Hybrid systems that combine solar panels with vertical greenery
• The rise of low-maintenance native ground covers as lawn alternatives
• Growing interest in synthetic grass to save water and reduce upkeep

Final Thoughts: What’s the Right Choice for You?

The best solution depends on your space, goals, and local climate.

• Choose green walls if you’re limited on space, want to cool a building, or create a statement feature.
• Choose ground covers if you have space to spare, want easy maintenance, or need to manage rainwater naturally.

You don’t always have to pick one over the other. Many climate-responsive landscapes combine both, using vertical gardens on walls and fences, and ground covers throughout open areas.

In the end, both approaches help us work with nature—not against it. Whether you grow up or grow out, you’re making a smart step toward a cooler, greener, and more climate-friendly future.

First Aid in Environmental Initiatives

Many environmental initiatives require activists to be in unpredictable outdoor environments. Whether it’s reforestation projects, climate strikes or river clean ups the potential for accidents and health risks is always present. In these cases knowing how to do CPR, wound treatment or recognising dehydration can be the difference between life and death.

For example during large climate protests activists may get fatigued, faint or minor injuries. Being prepared with basic first aid skills can make these events much safer and ensure participants get immediate care when needed. In extreme cases being able to act fast in a medical emergency can even save lives.

Empowering Activists Through Training

One of the best ways to ensure safety during environmental campaigns is for activists to get first aid trained. Training empowers individuals to act in medical situations, builds confidence and resilience within activist communities.

Through first aid training activists learn:

• How to treat minor injuries such as cuts, scrapes and burns.
• How to do CPR and use an AED.
• How to manage heat stroke, dehydration and other environmental related medical conditions.
• How to provide emergency care until professional help arrives.

Environmental organisations can also benefit from their teams getting first aid certification. By doing so they create a safer environment for volunteers and team members working in hazardous conditions.

Case Studies: First Aid in Action

There are many instances where first aid knowledge has been crucial in environmental activism. At big protests, trained volunteers have helped people who collapsed from exhaustion or were injured in crowds. In conservation projects, first aid training has helped field workers deal with unexpected injuries from rough terrain or exposure to the elements.

For example, a group of activists were doing a coastal clean-up and one of the participants got a deep cut from broken glass. A trained volunteer was able to control the bleeding and bandage the wound and prevent further complications. Real life examples like this show how first aid skills are needed in environmental work.

Building Resilient Communities

First aid training doesn’t just benefit individual activists—it strengthens the whole community. When more people have the knowledge to respond to medical emergencies, community led environmental initiatives are safer and more sustainable. It creates a culture of care where people not only work to protect the planet but also look out for each other.

And integrating first aid training into environmental activism can encourage more public participation. People are more likely to join conservation projects and climate movements if they know there are trained people who can handle emergencies. It leads to stronger, more effective environmental efforts with a focus on human and ecological well-being.

Be Safe and Well

As environmental activism grows, safety and well-being of those involved should be top priority. First aid training equips activists with the skills to respond in emergencies making their work in the field safer and more impactful. By looking for programs like Coast2Coast First Aid Ottawa activists can get lifesaving skills that complement their commitment to saving the planet.

Environmental activism is about building a better future and part of that is taking care of the people who drive the movement. Investing in First Aid Training for Environmental Activists is a step towards making activism safe, sustainable and powerful.

What is Pet Rent?

Pet rent is a recurring monthly fee that landlords charge tenants for the privilege of having a pet in the rental unit. It typically ranges from $25 to $50 per pet, depending on the property, location, and the type of pet you have. Unlike a pet deposit, pet rent is non-refundable, serving as ongoing compensation for potential increased maintenance costs.

What is a Pet Deposit?

A pet deposit is a one-time fee charged by landlords to cover potential damages caused by pets. Unlike pet rent, this fee is often refundable, provided the property is left in good condition. Pet deposits typically range from $100 to $600, though the amount may vary based on local regulations and the landlord’s policies.

In some cases, landlords may charge both a pet deposit and pet rent, so it’s important to clarify these costs upfront. Be sure to ask whether the deposit is refundable and under what conditions it would be returned at the end of the lease.

Why Landlords Charge Pet Fees

Landlords impose pet fees to mitigate the risks associated with renting to pet owners. Common concerns include property damage, noise complaints, and increased cleaning costs. These fees are also a way for landlords to offset their insurance premiums if their policies include pet-related liabilities.

Negotiation Tips for Pet Rent and Pet Deposits

While pet fees are standard in many rental agreements, there are ways to negotiate them:

Highlight Your Pet’s Good Behavior:

Provide references from previous landlords or a pet resume that outlines your pet’s training, vaccination records, and good behavior. This demonstrates that your pet is less likely to cause problems.

Offer a Trial Period:

Propose a probationary period during which the landlord can assess your pet’s impact on the property. If there are no issues after this time, you could request a reduction in pet rent or a waiver of the pet deposit.

Negotiate the Amount:

If the pet rent or deposit seems high, don’t be afraid to ask for a reduction. For instance, you can explain that you’re a responsible pet owner with a well-trained animal or suggest a lower pet rent in exchange for paying a slightly higher pet deposit.

Offer Extra Protections:

Consider offering to purchase renters insurance with pet liability coverage. This not only provides peace of mind to the landlord but also shows that you’re willing to take responsibility for any potential issues.

Seek Pet-Friendly Properties:

Look for properties explicitly advertised as pet-friendly. Landlords who already welcome pets may have more reasonable policies and fees, making negotiation easier.

Know Your Rights

Depending on where you live, laws governing pet fees and deposits can vary. For example, some states or cities have caps on how much landlords can charge for pet deposits, while others may not allow pet rent at all. Additionally, service animals and emotional support animals are typically exempt from pet fees under the Fair Housing Act (FHA).

Budgeting for Pet Fees

When renting with pets, it’s crucial to account for these additional costs in your budget. For example:

• Initial Costs: Pet deposit + moving expenses + pet supplies.
• Ongoing Costs: Pet rent + food + veterinary care.

If you’re on a tight budget, look for ways to save, such as negotiating lower fees or choosing properties with refundable deposits rather than recurring pet rent.

Final Thoughts

Renting with pets comes with extra responsibilities and costs, but with the right approach, you can find a pet-friendly rental that suits your needs. By understanding pet rent, pet deposits, and leveraging negotiation strategies, you can reduce financial stress while ensuring your beloved pet is welcome in your new home.

Retirement communities have become quite popular for older individuals to reside in who need additional care that their family members are unable to provide. One major selling point of retirement communities to both seniors and their families is how clean the retirement community is and whether it has the image of offering a very high quality of life. Retirement communities that look outdated, poorly maintained or run down will attract far less residents. Since retirement communities need residents to cover as many of their costs as possible, it is essential to invest in cleaning services to make your retirement community look its absolute best. If you are considering how to improve the cleaning services that you are currently investing in at your retirement community, it is wise to review the information below:

Landscaping

Landscaping is one of the first things that a prospective resident is going to notice. If your retirement community has well-kept lawns and bright colored flowers, it will be more attractive to seniors and their families who may be paying for their family member’s care. Having attractive landscaping is something that is often excluded from tight budgets. Retirement communities that make this additional investment usually have an incredible return by having more residents paying dues in their retirement communities. Be sure to keep this in mind when planning which cleaning and maintenance services your retirement community needs.

Waste Removal

Waste removal is something that is essential for your retirement community to consider. Waste that is left too long can have odors and attract unwanted pests. Since your retirement community will likely have a restaurant or area that prepares food, waste removal must be frequent to a designated area in your retirement community. Then, dumpsters should be collected at least weekly to handle the volume of waste that your retirement community has. Depending on the number of residents in your retirement community, it may be wise to have multiple dumpster sites and removal dates.

Power Washing

Both the interior and exterior walls of your retirement community must be free of dirt, scratches, and stains. Power washing is recommended to be completed quarterly or more frequently if your retirement community is located in an area with severe weather. By speaking with an expert, it will be possible to schedule power washing appointments in advance in order to avoid forgetting to schedule them and having the appearance of your retirement community suffer as a result.

Swimming Pool Cleaning

Swimming pools can be common for retirement communities that are located in warmer climates. It is important to have pools cleaned and checked for chemicals frequently. If prospective residents see a clean pool area, they will also be more attracted to the possibility of residing in your retirement community due to the many exercise classes that they can participate in with other residents in your community.

Cleaning of Gym & Outdoor Sporting Areas

Depending on whether your retirement community is mainly intensive care or a property that allows seniors to live in their own dwellings, it may have a fitness center or other outdoor sporting areas. It is wise to keep these areas clean so that your current residents can enjoy them on a regular basis. Prospective residents also want to see a clear picture of what their quality of life would be while residing in your community. Having the fitness center and outdoor sporting areas looking their absolute best will attract many more residents to your retirement community.

Kitchen/Dining Area Cleaning

The kitchen/dining area is one of the most important areas of your retirement community. The tables in the dining area must be spotless so that seniors feel comfortable having their meals there. The kitchen must also be clean enough so that it is safe to prepare the meals for your residents. There are required health codes that will vary depending on the state where your retirement community is located. Be sure to utilize a cleaning provider that is well-informed about the current health code regulations to ensure that your kitchen/dining area is up to the required legal standards. Failure to do so could subject your retirement community to legal liability in the future.

Cleaning of Resident Rooms

Retirement communities have many different structures. Some retirement communities will have more of a hospital arrangement and others will have separate private apartments where their residents live that are close to a nursing station. In order for your residents to have a high quality of life, they need to have frequent cleanings of their rooms. Some retirement communities prefer to have weekly or bi-weekly cleanings. These services are very helpful, particularly if the resident is unable to clean their room without additional assistance. In addition, regular cleaning or resident rooms helps to prevent the spread of germs in the retirement community, which should be one of the top priorities of the retirement community’s management team. Be sure to ask any cleaning provider what kinds of cleaning products they will be using and whether those products are healthy for residents in order to have the best possible relationship with residents.

Preventative Cleaning

Individuals who are cleaning your retirement community should be looking for signs of other costly maintenance issues. For example, if the texture of a wall has changed or there is a stain likely from water damage, the cleaning team should notify your community so a proper expert can come promptly. By doing so, your cleaning team may also help you to catch costly repairs before substantial damage has been caused.

The fibers of Asbestos are so small that they’re very difficult to see. You’ll often find asbestos hiding in your walls and everyday building materials. It’s known as a hidden killer, mainly because you don’t know precisely when you’ve been exposed since it takes years for the illness to develop in your body.

So, how does one catch asbestos before it’s too late?  How do you identify this hidden killer?  Read on below to learn how to check if there may be asbestos in your walls.

1. Identify Areas Where Asbestos Are Commonly Present

As a property owner, you need to know where there’s a high probability of the presence of asbestos in your home. Doing so will make you more aware of exactly where you should begin your search. It will save you time rather than guessing or feeling your way around your house. So, the primary step is to first determine the areas that are most viable for asbestos checking or testing. Asbestos insulating board, textured coatings, water cisterns, and pipes are areas of your home that should be checked for asbestos presence. Add to the list, gutters and asbestos cement products, such as partitions, drainpipes, as well as garage roofs and walls.

2. Identify Signs Of The Hidden Killer

Asbestos can be really very hard to detect because it’s commonly used in different materials. How can you guarantee that there’s no asbestos in your home?  Or, how can you be sure that your house has asbestos in it?  It’s essential to start your search in your walls and proceed to examine other areas or parts of your home.

Old corrugated cement roofing, damaged shingles, brittle ceiling tiles, crumbling drywall, and frayed piping insulation or building are signs that you should take note of. These are red flags that actually tell you that asbestos, indeed, is present.

The problem is that there are really times when the naked eye just can’t see asbestos. It wasn’t for nothing that asbestos was named the hidden killer; it truly isn’t always easy to spot. That being said, you may need to consider calling an asbestos expert to ensure that your family is living in a healthy and safe environment.

There are also areas in your house where you actually can be sure that no asbestos is used. For instance, ceilings or walls that are made of metal, bricks, stone, wood, and glass are asbestos-free. Knowing about this will save yourself the hassle of worrying about asbestos presence from time to time.

3. Conduct An Asbestos Survey

You can’t smell asbestos, and, sometimes, you can’t see it through the naked eyes. Is there something else that you can do to identify if it’s around?  What other methods can you take to know if your future, especially your health, is at risk?  Conducting an asbestos survey is the surest way to do it.

An asbestos expert usually conducts the asbestos survey. Information about your structure or building, like dates when work was carried out and the date it was finally built, will be gathered by the asbestos surveyor as these details will give them an idea as to the specific materials that have been likely used during the property’s construction. A survey will, then, follow for them to identify exactly where in your building or structure asbestos can be found.

4. Perform Asbestos Removal

Of course, after checking where asbestos is in your property, asbestos removal should follow. Your walls and other areas where asbestos is present can actually be repaired. Still, the only permanent solution if you really want to get rid of the problem is asbestos removal. Please keep in mind, however, that to ensure your and your family’s safety after the asbestos removal work, you should take samples in the air. Asbestos removal should be an eco-friendly move, and air sampling is essential since the process, if not done properly, poses a high fiber release risk. That’s why it’s best to leave this kind of work to professionals. The contractor is going to use disposable clothing, approved respirators, and a HEPA vacuum during the removal process.

Final Thoughts

It’s essential to be extra careful when searching for or removing asbestos in your property. Don’t forget that mesothelioma cancer and other diseases can result from asbestos exposure. As much as possible, the job should be carried out by experts or experienced professionals. It’s also important to hire a certified service provider to do the work, whether you decide to have asbestos repaired or removed. There are asbestos safety courses approved by the federal or the state authorities, so check if the person you’ll choose has completed any.

Also, when outsourcing the work of finding asbestos in your walls to professionals, follow the recommendation of the Environmental Protection Agency to hire someone independent of the contractor who’s going to carry out asbestos removal. Doing so will help in ensuring that only what’s necessary is done.

Below are the top marketing strategies for sustainable businesses.

Use Environmentally Friendly Forms of Advertisements

Sustainability marketing is defined as creating and maintaining sustainable relationships not only with customers but also with the natural and social environment. It is beyond selling because you provide solutions to your customers while taking into consideration the ecological orientation and ethical business process.

It’s important to use advertisements that consider preservation and care for nature to ensure that your sustainable business exists and lives according to your values. This shows your commitment and passion for sustainability even in advertising practices. There are environmentally-friendly forms of advertisements available nowadays to help sustainable businesses achieve marketing goals.

Here are some examples:

• Distributing eco-friendly handouts using biodegradable alternatives without using plastics.
• Promoting the responsible use of products and proper disposal.
• Transparency on product details to help consumers make an informed buying decision.
• Incorporating the Federal Trade Commission or FTC Green Guides in your product promotions.
• Digital marketing is a form of eco-friendly advertisement because it decreases the use of paper, and the digital marketing budget 2020 is not as enormous as traditional forms of advertisements using brochures, banners, or flyers.

Create a Solid Marketing Plan Evolving on Sustainability

When creating a marketing plan, you need to have clear social objectives. For sustainable businesses, they should operate in a certain environment and relationships with all stakeholders, including employees, contractors, suppliers, customers, and investors in a positive way. It’s crucial to ensure fairness when formulating sustainability social objectives through Corporate Social Responsibilities or CSR programs.

Ecological objectives should include producing products that are less harmful or no impact to the environment because byproducts and improper disposal can affect nature over time. Life Cycle Assessment or LCA guides help sustainable marketers set holistic ecological objectives.

Here are the key areas covered by LCA Guides to help you create a solid marketing plan for your sustainable business:

• The material used, such as toxic materials, renewable, and non-renewable energy usage
• Effluents like production water quality
• Emissions like ozone depletion problems and greenhouse gases
• Waste like toxic materials, and not recyclable wastes
• Water use such as volume required to produce

Note: There are online tools you can use to help you in formulating an effective and efficient marketing plan for your sustainable business. These tools are easy to use and free, such as Marketing Plan Templates . For businesses that want to cut through complexity, resources like Simplify Strategy for Real Results can also provide a structured way to align sustainability goals with measurable outcomes.

Go Green Marketing

Sustainable companies should develop effective green marketing strategies and products with honesty and genuine commitment to sustainability to earn the loyalty and respect of consumers. Avoid greenwashing or making “green” or sustainable claims just to get the buy-in of the people.

Here are some tips when implementing go green marketing:

• Green Design: Use a big recycle symbol on your product packaging to encourage recycling after initial use. From the raw materials to the final product, incorporate eco-friendly materials to achieve a green design without greenwashing.
• Green Positioning: Live to the values of your product as what is reflected on your packaging and marketing channels, like your website and social media pages. For instance, The Body Shop implements effective green positioning. As seen on their website, the company is against animal testing, activates self-esteem, defends human rights, supports community fair trade, and protects the planet. True enough, the company has never tested any of their products on animals.
• Green Pricing: Encourage consumers to participate in sustainability. For instance, if you’re selling sustainable cars, you can promote the fuel-efficiency of the vehicle, emphasizing the important benefits of such a car feature.
• Green Logistics: Avoid hard-to-open and wasteful packaging materials, like wire ties, air-bubble wrap, and plastic clamshell casings. You can also reduce the carbon footprint of shipping and delivery by collaborating with carriers who are also practicing sustainability techniques. In that way, your customers will receive your products in original and good condition without utilizing much fuel or energy.
• Green Disposal: Everything must be sustainable from the production phase up to disposal because unsustainable disposal practices are hazardous to human health and the environment. That’s why an effective green marketing strategy must consider all aspects of a product’s life cycle.

Conclusion

Sustainable businesses can benefit from green or environmentally-friendly marketing and business practices. Because more and more consumers are becoming conscious of how products affect the environment, all your marketing efforts should gear towards sustainability. While you want to gain higher profits for your business, it’s essential to live up to your company’s sustainability values to gain the respect and loyalty of the people.

A lot of waste ends up in recycling bins and landfills on a daily basis. Most of this waste includes plastic, glass, metals, clothes and old household items. Non-biodegradable materials harm the environment and throwing them into garbage pits only dirtify the environment. Managing waste is crucial in making the environment greener. Recycling waste is fun. Turning your garbage and old stuff into something new and useful is awesome. There are many ways through which waste can be managed properly. Here are some of the most innovative waste recycling methods you can try.

Recycling Kitchen Waste

The kitchen is a major source of waste. Kitchen waste mostly includes food scraps and food leftovers. These are some forms of organic waste that can be used as a valuable asset in the garden. Organic waste decomposes quickly and can be used as mulch and compost manure for your garden. Other household waste such as old newspapers, cardboards, cotton and napkins can be used as organic mulch to protect plants from drying out under the sun, conserving water in the soil and eventually break down to feed the soil. Rather than throwing such waste into recycling bins and landfills, why not use it to make your garden more fertile.

Recycling Plastic

There are many types of plastic you can recycle. Plastic such as plastic bottles, utensils, containers, cups, toys, buckets and many more can be recycled. You can cut the bottom of plastic bottles and use them to plant seedlings. You can decorate your yard by plating flowers in plastic buckets. Vegetables can also be planted in plastic containers and you can use your organic waste to enrich the soil in the containers. This way, you will not have to burn or throw away plastic waste. Reduce your use of plastic water bottles by investing in a water filtering system and use glasses and mugs to drink water. Also, carry reusable water bottles on the go. If you must use a plastic water bottle and are unable to recycle it, ensure it ends up into a recycling bin for better waste management.

Reusing Aluminum Foils

There are many ways of recycling aluminum foils. Just ensure it is free from debris and clean. For instance, you can use an aluminum foil as a reflector. Simply place some foils behind plants that are growing under a shade to reflect sunlight on them. Aluminum foils can also be used as utensil sharpeners. Simply fold the foil over six layers to make it thick. Sharpen knives or scissors by cutting through the foil multiple times. An aluminum foil may also be used to clean jewelry. Rather than dumping an aluminum foil into a recycling bin, use it to clean jewelry and give them a new shiny look. All you will need to do is to line a small dish with the foil and add hot water and a powder laundry detergent. Then smirl your jewelry in the mixture for a minute or two. Remove it and allow it to dry. Crumpled aluminum foils can also be used to remove wrinkles and static cling from a dryer.

Recycling Old CDs, VHS Tapes and DVDs

Most people have moved from old music and movie systems to digital systems. CDs, DVDs and VHS tapes are some of the waste that ends up in recycling bins. You can use them creatively to avoid crowding dumping sites. For instance, you can make creative scarecrows using DVDs and CDs. They reflect light to keep critters and birds away from the garden. Art and craft centers also use them to make creative gift bag bases. Collages of reflective CDs and DVDs can also be made on the ceiling or wall. Old VHS tapes can be used to bind garden posts together rather than buying plastic ropes.

Recycling Miscellaneous Items

There are many miscellaneous items that fill up office recycling bins yet you can easily recycle them into useful items. For instance, hair elastics can be used to bind creepers for supporting poles in the garden. Old jeans and clothing can be turned into useful bags, patchwork quilts, aprons and skirts. Toothbrushes and old mascara brushes can be used to clean small and hard-to-reach areas. Old eyeglasses can be turned into sewing kits.

Although recycling bins are readily available in most areas, you can always turn some of your waste materials into useful items rather than throwing them away. If there are some items you can’t recycle, check whether there are waste collection programs and waste donation centers in your area where you can give them away or even get a reward.