For many, the question is uttered nearly every evening, and the answer is easy.

But for 795 million people in the world — those who don’t have a reliable meal to look forward to according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations — the question is more open-ended.

You might be surprised to learn that an important step in the fight to end hunger is to reduce food waste. In fact, 1.3 billion tons of the food produced around the world goes to waste each year, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

The severity of the issue recently prompted the United States Department of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency to establish a goal to reduce U.S. food waste 50 percent by 2030. The country’s first-ever food waste reduction goal calls for the federal government to join forces with local governments, charities, faith-based organizations and the private sector to find ways to conserve the country’s resources in order to improve food security.

Ready to take a stance? World Food Day, Friday, Oct. 16, marks a good opportunity to set your own waste-reduction goals, and if you visit www.dow.com/makeitlast you will find a number of ways you can help reduce food waste and use.

Here are five simple ways to cut back on food waste in your daily life.

Pay attention to packaging. Increasingly, high-performance food packaging makes it possible to better protect food as they make their way from grocery store shelves to your pantry. Take lightweight flexible pouches, for instance. You’ll find these packages used to protect some of your favorite foods at the grocery store, from frozen fruits and vegetables to cereals and crackers. The pouches’ layers keep contents from being damaged or spoiled. Resealable packaging allows you to use what you need and safely save the rest for later, preserving the remaining portions and making food last.

Learn the dos and don’ts of food storage. Believe it or not, pre-wrapped vegetables purchased at the grocery store can last up to 5 times longer than vegetables without packaging. Take for example a cucumber pre-wrapped in plastic. It can stay fresh up to 14 days instead of just three days if not wrapped.

Call on technology for new recipe ideas. Download an app on your phone to help inspire new dishes that use up last night’s leftovers. Several apps available in the App Store generate recipes based on ingredients you’ve marked as currently stocked in your kitchen. They’ll help you look at the food in your refrigerator as delicious opportunities rather than garbage-bound.

Donate to local organizations. Find a local food drive to donate non-perishable foods to those in need. Start by organizing your pantry and piling the items you likely won’t use in the near future. Rather than tossing the items, turn your waste into an opportunity to feed the hungry in your community.

Visit the Make It Last Site. The Make It Last site from Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics offers information about the food waste crisis and leaves you feeling empowered with helpful tips and facts to help you reduce food waste in your home. The campaign also offers information on the role plastic packaging plays in preventing food waste from farm to table.

*BPT

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Buying a new car to reduce your carbon footprint seems logical. But surprisingly, keeping the vehicle already in your garage, or replacing it with a more fuel efficient used car may be a greener choice. That’s because it takes a lot of energy and raw materials to manufacture a new vehicle. “It varies between models, but it is reasonable to estimate building a new $30,000 midsize car will generate greenhouse gases that are the equivalent of 14 metric tons of CO2,” says RockAuto.com Vice President, Tom Taylor.

The average car on the road is about 11 years old. EPA data shows that vehicles (cars and trucks) built in 2005, on average, emit 447 grams of CO2 per mile. A 2016 vehicle is expected to generate about 90 grams less than that every mile. Producing less CO2 is good, but it would take more than 150,000 miles of driving for that 90 grams in CO2 savings to add up and compensate for the 14,000 kg (14 metric tons of CO2) it took to build the new car. Especially for someone who does not drive a lot, it could be greener to just keep a well maintained older vehicle than to build a new one.

How much do you save with an electric car?

Electric cars do not have tailpipes, but an electric car is still on the hook for “upstream CO2” emitted by the utility which provides the electricity for the car. The EPA estimates upstream CO2 is around 100 grams per mile for most electric vehicles. That is a whopping 347 grams less than what is produced by the average vehicle built in 2005, but it would still take over 40,000 miles of driving before the electric car saved enough CO2 to cover the greenhouse gas cost of building it in the first place.

The environmental cost of servicing older cars

What about the CO2 equivalent discharged while making parts to fix an older car? Brake pads, struts, tires and other parts wear out as the miles pile up. Fortunately, unless the vehicle is involved in an accident, the structure that makes up most of a car will never need to be replaced.

Many smaller parts like alternators and major parts like engines and transmissions can be remanufactured. Remanufacturing means only the components that experience wear are replaced. Metal housings and other major pieces can be cleaned, refinished and reused. “Remanufacturing saves more than 80 percent of the energy and raw materials required to build a new part from scratch,” Taylor says. Less energy and materials means less CO2.

Car manufacturers are using more recycled materials and updating factories to use less energy. Government mandates require future vehicles become increasingly more fuel efficient. “Upstream CO2” may decline as utility companies find new, greener ways to generate electricity. Nevertheless, keeping your current car well maintained or buying a more fuel efficient used car are currently great choices if you want to be green.  

*BPT

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Some items that can be recycled are thrown away mostly because people do not know what items can be recycled or where to recycle them. For instance, rechargeable batteries that power the portable products on holiday gift lists (such as laptops, cordless power tools, tablets and even remote controlled toys), should be recycled when they can no longer hold a charge. These batteries contain metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium and nickel, which could harm the environment when improperly disposed.

Environmental concerns have become one of the most pressing issues of the 21^st century. From climate change to the rise of e-waste, making a choice to do our part to help the environment can seem like a daunting task. The key is to start small. While we don’t have the answers to the larger questions surrounding environmental conservation, we can do our part to help preserve our environment. It can be as simple as recycling or donating pre-owned items to family or friends to reduce the impact of waste on local landfills.

By starting small and making your resolutions realistic, there is a greater chance you will keep them throughout the year. You should also encourage your family and friends to join you in incorporating environmentally-friendly behavior into your everyday lives.

So how do you start recycling and making a difference in your community? Here are some tips to help incorporate green resolutions into your busy lifestyle:

• Your “fourth bin” — Set up a bin or bag (ideally near your front or back door) for your family to leave recyclables.

• Sound the alarm — On your smartphone or computer, set up a regular reminder to gather up your rechargeable batteries to take to your local retailer or collection site.

• Regularly clean out the junk drawer — On a regular basis, task a family member with going through the junk drawer for recyclables and other unused or old items.

• Keep your errand list on hand at all times — This will help you prioritize stops while you’re on the go, as well as remember to drop off your items to be recycled.

Once you’ve made the commitment to start recycling your old stuff and you know how, you need to know where to go. Organizations such as Call2Recycle offer an easy and free way to care for the environment year-round through battery recycling. Call2Recycle works with a network of businesses, communities and retailers in the U.S. and Canada — including Best Buy, The Home Depot, Lowe’s and Staples — that serve as drop-off locations. Additional participating collection sites can be found at call2recycle.org.

It’s never too late to learn about environmental issues and why they are important. Setting sustainability goals is your commitment to support the environment for yourself and future generations. Resolving to change your habits could not only have a huge impact on the rest of the world, but can also help you feel good because you know you’re making a difference. As you get ready for the new year, take that extra step to be prepared to maintain your green resolutions throughout the year.

*BPT

The post 4 Ways to Go Green this New Year appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Here are three ways your family can create positive environmental change starting today.

Recycle

Research shows that less than 2 percent of waste in the United States is recycled, yet almost half of all trash can be recycled. School lunches are one source of waste that most families don’t consider. These are packed each morning and tossed away each afternoon once lunchtime is finished.

To increase awareness of recycling options during lunch, Entenmann’s Little Bites Snacks has partnered with the recycling and upcycling experts at TerraCycle for the “Turn Trash to Cash” program, giving students the chance to recycle their Little Bites snack pouches and earn money for their school. TerraCycle can recycle the pouches to create products like tote bags, pencil cases and even picnic benches.

You can learn more about the campaign by visiting TerraCycle on Facebook.

Protect water resources

Water is one of the most important resources people have, yet every year billions of gallons are needlessly wasted. You can conserve water in your home by teaching your children to take shorter showers or baths, turning off dripping faucets and avoiding letting the water run while they are brushing their teeth.

You can also reduce water waste in your home by investing in water-saving appliances and by reducing or eliminating the practice of watering your lawn, relying on rain to do so instead.

Help plant a tree

Few things are as beautiful as a tall, healthy tree. But trees are more than just a beautiful backdrop, as they are also essential to the environment. Here are four reasons why from the Arbor Day Foundation:

1. Trees help clean the air. They improve the quality of the air you breathe by capturing dust and pollution particles that can affect your health.

2. Trees help fight climate change. As trees grow, they remove greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide from the air, store carbon, and release pure oxygen into the atmosphere.

3. Trees planted along waterways can help filter out chemicals that might otherwise wash to water sources. They also can create stable soil and help prevent soil erosion, flooding and even landslides.

4. Trees properly planted around a home can help lower air conditioning and heating costs by up to 25 percent.

This year Entenmann’s is partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation for the Little Bites’ Earth Day Sweepstakes. For every entry, fan or not, received through the Little Bites Facebook page, Entenmann’s will donate $1 to the Arbor Day Foundation to plant a tree – up to 25,000 trees in total. The sweepstakes starts March 1. You can learn more at the Little Bites Facebook page.

Environmentally friendly habits are easy to pick up and they can be a great way to bond with your children on a shared project while developing lifelong habits. So don’t wait another minute! Start your family down the eco-friendly path today.

*BPT

The post 3 ways to become more environmentally friendly in 2015 appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and a space that gets used for more than just cooking. We entertain, help kids with homework and create a makeshift office in this central hub. It’s a space that gets plenty of use, therefore it should be as energy efficient as possible. Just by making a few changes and upgrades, you’ll save money and energy, while enhancing the comforts of your kitchen.

Here are eight simple ways to make your kitchen more “green.”

1. Cooking

When you cook or bake using a full-sized oven, you often create heat in your home. During winter months, this is a great duality of oven use, however, in summer months, the excess heat is not too welcoming and may cause you to crank up your air conditioning system. Save money and energy by using cooking alternatives when a full sized oven is not necessary such as a slow cooker, toaster oven or convection oven. When using your stovetop, be sure to use a lid on pots and pans to help cook food faster and waste less energy, as well as match your pots and pans to the appropriate flame or burner size.

Also, consider your stove options: gas vs. electric. Electric tends to be more energy efficient, while gas stove allows you to have more control with your heat source.

2. Eat Smart

While grocery shopping, buy locally and sustainably when possible. You’ll lessen your carbon footprint by purchasing foods grown locally versus being shipped or transported in from miles away, and you’ll help boost your local economy by shopping local farmer’s markets. Reduce on food packaging waste by buying from bulk bins, and filter your water instead of purchasing disposable plastic water bottles.

3. Compost

Did you know that food waste takes up nearly 20% of landfill space? Instead of dumping your food scraps in the garbage, set your kitchen up with a small, compact food compost bin. There are conveniently sized ones that can sit right on your countertop for easy access, and if you are concerned about the smell, you can purchase biodegradable liners that are scented. Still cringing about potential smell? Use an empty juice carton to collect your food scraps and store in the freezer until you are ready to take to your outdoor compost or yard waste bin.

4. Bag It

Paper and plastic bags contribute to waste that can be avoided. Purchase reusable shopping bags to keep on hand with you in your car for when you do your grocery shopping, or keep a few stashed at work or in your gym bag for more last minute stops to stores. You’ll be doing the planet a great favor by cutting down use of plastic bags.

5. Energy Star

Approximately 80% of appliances meet the federal Energy Star guidelines. If you are planning to upgrade your appliances, make sure to purchase ones that meet this government guideline for energy efficiency.

6. Dishwasher

It’s not always noticeable how much running water you are wasting, and washing dishes by hand can cause you to use a large amount of water. Save time, energy and money by utilizing your energy efficient dishwasher when you have a full load of dishes to run. Only wash those dishes by hand that are not dishwasher safe.

7. Refurbish

If you are renovating your home, save on construction waste and consider giving existing cabinets a facelift instead of disposing of them. Visit your local and salvaged and antiques stores for reclaimed fixtures, and keep your eye out for items that have been tossed that can be restored. If refurbishing isn’t your thing, consider purchasing green materials like compressed paper or recycle glass and ceramic mixed with concrete for countertops.

8. Natural Light

Brighten your kitchen with light colors that reflect natural light more effectively. Be sure to open curtains and blinds during daylight hours to use the sun’s natural source of light. Also, replace any incandescent bulbs with more energy efficient ones, as well as the fixtures.

Light colors in your kitchen will brighten the room and reflect natural light if you open the curtains to let natural sunlight in. Finally, replace incandescent bulbs and fixtures with energy-efficient lighting.

About Pro.com

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Photo credit: bigstock.com/kazoka

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A San Francisco based company, Lifefactory created the first reusable glass beverage bottle that is free of toxins and BPAs and virtually every part of it’s construction is made from recyclable materials. Lifefactory’s beautiful glass-blown containers are specially made in France and are great to stay hydrated throughout the day and serve as a more conscientious alternative to regular plastic bottles. Lifefactory’s intelligent glass design means bottle contents will always have a fresh clean taste, and absolutely no chemical leaching ­ plus the silicone sleeve protects from any breakage and provides a comfortable non-slip gripping surface. And because Lifefactory is committed to product sensibility and convenience, all bottles are dishwasher safe, and truly designed to last a life-time.

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