“Garbage.

Americans produce more and more of it every year, when we need to be producing less. Even the most waste-conscious among us can feel overwhelmed by the amount of household waste that goes beyond what municipal recyclers and compost bins can handle. That’s why our editors spent time investigating the state of waste management in our country, putting this list togther for you, explaining how we can get serious about the three R’s — reducing, reusing, and recycling — and divert more waste away from landfills.

1. Appliances:

Goodwill accepts working appliances, www.goodwill.org, or you can contact the Steel Recycling Institute to recycle them. 800/YES-1-CAN, www.recycle-steel.org.

2. Batteries:

Rechargeables and single-use: Battery Solutions, 734/467-9110, www.batteryrecycling.com.

3. Cardboard boxes:

Contact local nonprofits and women’s shelters to see if they Boxcan use them. Or, offer up used cardboard boxes at your local Freecycle.org listserv or on Craigslist.org for others who may need them for moving or storage. If your workplace collects at least 100 boxes or more each month, UsedCardboardBoxes.com accepts them for resale

Keep Cool Starting from the Top
by Phoebe Chongchua

With summer coming and temperatures rising quickly, many people are already turning the air conditioner on. But did you know that what’s atop your home may or may not be helping you stay cool?

“Clay and concrete tiles have been around for thousands of years. They are the original green product. They are recycled material. They come from the earth — clay and concrete mines that come from the ground. They have a reflectivity quotient that’s above and beyond any other roofing product that’s on the market,” says Dave Mann, President of Patriot Roofing.

Roofing tiles are the only materials that possess two inherent qualities necessary for energy reduction; not only do they contain natural thermal resistance in the raw materials but also the installation of the individual tiles creates a natural airspace around the tiles allowing for ventilation that helps cool air to circulate through the roof. Mann says this can greatly reduce the amount of heat going in and out of a home, resulting in less air conditioner usage and lower electrical bills.”

This article was posted in Pardoncheney.com