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Get Ready for White Elephant Parties This Season During the holiday season, it is commonplace to receive some excess and some, frankly, unique gifts.  Trying to decide what to do with some gifts that are not necessarily useful?  Try regifting these presents, a way to recycle presents and give them to someone else. What is regifting? Essentially, regifting is the process of giving a received gift to someone else.  This is also occasionally called "recycling a gift." In America, an unofficial holiday "National Regifting Day," takes place the week prior to the Christmas holiday. What about etiquette?  Is it polite or appropriate to regift? Ultimately, this is up to personal preferences.  Some individuals may feel uncomfortable regifting or recycling gifts received during the holiday season.  Others may feel this is a great way to give more gifts during the holiday season. What are some regifting do's and don'ts? Below, the Grady's GreenLiving Tips team comp...

#BeRecycled for a Green End to the 2018 Year Recycling is an easy and efficient way to live a green life.  Sorting recyclables, such as plastic soda bottles, aluminum cans, and newspaper, from waste, re-using products, and re-purposing goods and supplies are all ways to recycle that will have a positive impact on the environment.   Thursday, November 15, is America Recycles Day , an annual, green, holiday that celebrates the positive impact of recycling.  Three ways to celebrate America Recycles Day include: Take the #BeRecycled Pledge : Located on the official America Recycles Day website, the digital pledge allows people to commit to recycling and even narrow down on a particular product or products to recycle more of throughout the year.  Signing the online pledge also allows individuals to opt in to receiving recycling tips via email. Attend a Recycling Event : Multiple recycling and GreenLiving themed events are taking place this week in honor of America R...

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our  website  or  Facebook  page.

This Type of Debris is Typically Found in the Ocean Summer 2018 begins in only a few weeks!  Trying to visit the beach this summer?  Remember, the beach is an ecosystem that is home to numerous plants and animals.  Unfortunately, the beach and ocean can become littered with rubbish and debris that people leave behind on vacation.   What type of debris is often most often recovered from the ocean? Plastic materials are most often recovered from the ocean.  The plastic materials found in the ocean most often include: plastic cigarette butts, food wrappers, plastic bottles, and straws.   How can litter on the beach impact the ocean? Littering on the beach can have numerous negative impacts for the ocean and surrounding environments.  Trash and recyclables left on the beach can, eventually, be washed into the ocean.  Not only does this contaminate the water, but it can entangle or hurt fish, turtles, and other animals.   Is it poss...

These Symbols Are Used to Organize Plastic Materials Plastic containers often feature a recycling symbol on the back or bottom of the product with a number in the middle.  But what do these symbols mean?  Read this numeric guide to learn more. If the container has the following number, it means: #1 - This plastic is the most common plastic found in recycling bins.  Typically, this plastic product is found in soda and water bottle and food containers. #2 - Known for not being transparent, this plastic is typically found in products such as household cleaner bottles, shampoo bottles, and detergent bottles. #3 - This plastic makes up pipes, food wrap and containers, and more.  This plastic is not recyclable. #4 - Found in shopping bags, food wrap and packaging, and fabric materials.  Oftentimes, these plastic materials are not accepted into recycling bins but these products can be recycled if taken to an appropriate recycling plant. #5 - This plastic makes up medic...

#BeRecycled for a Green End to the Year Recycling is an easy and efficient way to live a green life.  Sorting recyclables, such as plastic soda bottles, aluminum cans, and newspaper, from waste, re-using products, and re-purposing goods and supplies are all ways to recycle that will have a positive impact on the environment.   Tomorrow, November 15, is America Recycles Day , an annual, green, holiday that celebrates the positive impact of recycling.  Three ways to celebrate America Recycles Day includes: Take the #BeRecycled Pledge : Located on the official America Recycles Day website, the digital pledge allows people to commit to recycling and even narrow down on a particular product or products to recycle more of throughout the year.  Signing the online pledge also allows individuals to opt in to receiving recycling tips via email. Attend a Recycling Event : Multiple recycling and GreenLiving themed events are taking place this week in honor of America Recyc...

Autumnal Themed GreenLiving Tips Pumpkins are a staple of the fall season, especially in the days leading up to and including Halloween.  But what are ways to utilize leftover pumpkins after this season?  In this blog post, Grady's GreenLiving Tips explores five ways to use a leftover pumpkin: 1) Utilize pumpkins for food and baked goods : Leftover pumpkins can be cut up and made into pies, cakes, and/ or jams.  Pumpkin seeds can also be scooped out and baked as well. Learn more pumpkin recipes in the All Recipes article " 19 Healthy Pumpkin Recipes ". 2) Compost old and/ or leftover pumpkins : Pumpkins are primarily made of water and, because of this, are easily broken down into compost. 3) Plant pumpkin seeds : Pumpkin seeds can be used for more than food- they can be planted in a garden and produce more pumpkins.  The seeds can also be a great gift for avid-gardeners. 4) Turn pumpkins into a craft : Pumpkins can be made into bird feeders, bird houses, candle hold...

This Resource Can Be Used for Many Different Projects Grocery shopping?  Going on a lunch break?  Packing for a vacation?  It may be a habit to reach for and/ or use a plastic bag. Unfortunately, if thrown away or disposed of improperly, plastic bags can easily become tangles in plants, trees, and other forms of vegetation, waterways, and animal habitats.  Typically, sturdy, re-usable bags are the best for the environment. Instead of simply throwing away plastic bags after a shopping trip, which can cause lasting and severely damaging effects on the environment, below are five ways to re-use plastic bags in everyday life.  Even though plastic bags cannot be traditionally recycled, these are great methods to reuse a resource and promote a green life: Suitcase or box buffer : For those packing boxes or storing items in closets or storage bins, always use and layer plastic bags to act as a buffer for delicate items. Plant protector: Cover outdoor potted plants dur...

Recycling a Smarter Way to Live a Greener Life What is recycling contamination? Recycling contamination occurs when objects and/ or materials that should not be recycled intermingle with recyclable goods during the recycling process.  Often, this can cause bins of recyclable products to be thrown away as garbage to avoid more contamination. Why is recycling contamination a problem? Not every plastic, paper, or glass product can be recycled.  Mixing recyclable and non-recyclable materials can impede and even stop the recycling process and cause even more waste.   What are ways to avoid recycling contamination? Five "do's and don'ts" for recycling contamination are: 1) Break down and separate all recyclables : Break-down and fold all boxes and separate paper, cardboard, glass, and plastic materials to make sure that all products are recyclable.  2) Empty out glasses and containers : Leftover food residue is a major cause of recycling contamination.  Before recycli...

Examine If These Six Categories of Batteries Can be Recycled 1) 9 Volt Batteries : These common, household, batteries can be thrown in the trash, (in most states) but always cover the posts with non-conductive tape before disposal.  This practice will reduce the chance of a fire. 2) Car Batteries : Vehicle batteries are very large and are made of corrosive materials.  The best way to dispose of these batteries is to transport them to a car manufacturer or to a battery disposal location. 3) AA Batteries : Another common type of battery found in flashlights, alarm clocks, etc.  AA or AAA batteries can also be thrown in the trash in most states, but make sure the batteries are not leaking or damaged. 4) Electronics Batteries :  These are batteries for appliances, such as phone batteries.  The batteries can be "recycled" and refurbished by companies to be used again.  To recycle electronic batteries, bring the device to the original store or provider. 5) Button...

The Next Step of Recycling... Recycling is not just about placing plastic, paper, and glass in a green bin once a week. Many household products can be "recycled" and re-purposed, including: 1) Tech equipment : Certain organizations will accept donations of computers, printers, mice, and other, similar, pieces of equipment.  These donations will be cleaned and refurbished, and then given to people or families in need.  Companies that make the computers, such as Dell or Apple, will often take back computers as well if the equipment is simply old and needs to be disposed of properly. 2) Eyeglasses : Have any old pairs of eye glasses that are still in good condition?  Donating eye glasses is a great way to recycle something that normally would just sit in a dresser drawer.  Donation boxes can be found in eye glass stores and other locations, such as public libraries.   Lions Club International encourages people to mail in eye glass donations. 3) Cellphones : Purcha...

Want to Prevent Littering?  Learn These Facts... 1) Litter can harm animals : Littering can cause a direct, negative, impact to animals and their habitats. Animals can become stuck or entangled in various forms of litter, such as soda/ beverage rings.  Similarly, animals can become sick from consuming discarded food or food packaging/ wrappers.  Some animals can even die from consuming forms of litter. 2) Litter is quite common : Many people admit to littering at one point or another.  The most common form of litter is from fast food or other food waste.  Another common form of litter is glass and plastic products, even those these resources are often recyclable!   3) Rain can cause litter to travel : Discarding litter can have a lasting effect.  Rain, wind, and other elements can cause litter to travel to other locations.  Even throwing waste away in an overflowing trash can can lead for garbage to run off into storm drains, lakes, and/ or other ...

Learn How To Read and Interpret Recycling Numbers Plastic containers often contain a recycling symbol on the back or bottom of the product with a number in the middle.  But what do these symbols mean?  Read this numeric guide to learn more. If the container has the following number, it means: #1 - This plastic is the most common found in recycling bins.  Typically, this plastic is found in soda and water bottle and food containers. #2 - Known for not being transparent, this plastic is typically found in products such as household cleaner bottles, shampoo bottles, and detergent bottles. #3 - This plastic makes up pipes, food wrap and containers, and more.  This plastic is not recyclable. #4 - Found in shopping bags, food wrap and packaging, and fabric materials.  Oftentimes, these plastic materials are not accepted into recycling bins but these products can be recycled if taken to an appropriate recycling plant. #5 - This plastic makes up medicine bottles, ketchu...

GreenLiving Tips During The Holidays The holidays are only several days away.  For some, this is a time of giving and receiving gifts.   This season, make sure you know what holiday gift items can be recycled and what needs to be disposed as waste. Can the following items be recycled?  Find out here... 1) Tape : No!  Tape, and most other adhesive products, cannot be recycled.  Throw away tape and/ or put tape into a standard waste basket to dispose of it. 2) Boxes with tape : Yes!  Even though tape cannot, typically, be recycled, cardboard boxes or decorative boxes with little/ some tape on it can be recycled.  Fold boxes up to properly recycle them. 3) Wrapping paper : Maybe. This really depends on the type of wrapping paper.  If the paper is plain, it may be recyclable.  However, if the wrapping paper or gift wrap has a design, multi-colored ink, or is made of a shiny, laminate material, it is not recyclable and should be thrown away in ...

What Holiday Items Can Be Recycled or Reused? It's officially the holiday season: a time to plan for various holidays and/ or seasonal celebrations.  This year, add a green focus to the holidays by adopting several eco-friendly practices.  An easy way to be "green" during the holidays is to continue to recycle- several holiday items that can be recycled or reused include: 1. Decorations : Decorating for the holidays?  If properly stored, many holiday and/ or seasonal decorations can be saved and used again next year.  Examples of decorations that can be reused include: holiday lights, banners and signage, candles, and more. 2. Wrapping paper and gift packaging : Planning on buying new gift bags and gift wrap?  There might be plenty of gift bags and/ or wrapping paper left over from last year.  Designate a place in the home to store usable gift packaging.  If buying new gift bags, boxes, and wrapping paper, set the extra, unused materials aside for next...

Recycling Clothes and/ or Fabric to Make a Comfortable Blanket This upcoming winter is a great time to experiment with green ways to stay warm. One green craft this time of year could be to make a recycled blanket or quilt out of materials already available around the house.  In order to create a blanket or quilt, three methods include: 1) Pick the Fabrics : Choose a surplus fabric around the home that can be used as the centerpiece for the new blanket or quilt.  Options could range from college tee shirts, old sweaters, or worn-out jeans for the top of the blanket and another, sturdy, fabric, such as older blankets or fleeces, for the base. 2) Decide on a design : The next step is to decide on a functional design.  A blanket is typically a single layer of heavy fabric with a design while a quilt contains padding or stuffing, oftentimes a cotton material, in between layers of fabric.  Decide on a style that works with the materials available! 3) Create a Finished Pro...

A "Keep America Beautiful" Initiative Today, November 15, is a green holiday: America Recycles Day , a day to take a pledge to recycle more and become more environmentally focused. There are several ways to celebrate and honor America Recycles Day, including: Attend an Event : More than 2,000 recycling themed events are taking place this year for America Recycles Day.  Visit the interactive map on the website to filter events by state, city, and/ or zipcode. Take the Official Pledge : According to the America Recycles Day website, the national recycling rate has steadily increased throughout the past 30 years.  Currently, approximately 34 percent of individuals in America recycles.   Take the #BeRecycled pledge to commit to recycling. Find Local Recycling Centers : Facilitate recycling in local communities and/ or neighborhoods by finding nearby recycling centers.  This online resource also provides locations for recycling specialty items such as electronics, appl...

Beware of Simply Lumping all Paper, Aluminum, or Plastic Products Together Paper and plastic.  Aluminum and tin.  Glass and cardboard.  All of these materials are, primarily, recyclable.  However, restrictions and limitations apply to some materials in the recycling bin that eventually could be rejected by recycling facilities.  Learn more about products that cannot be recycled below: 1) Plastic food wrappers: Any product that has leftover food particles attached can be rejected by recycling plants.  Food, leftover grease, and oil can interrupt the recycling process, so often those handling recycling are trained to treat those items as waste. 2) Aluminum foil: Similar to the scenario above, aluminum foil can often be stained or infused with food residue and thus impossible to recycle.  Think twice and inspect the foil before recycling. 3) Paper plates and paper napkins: Paper plates are fine to recycle as long as they do do not have any food residue. ...

Recycling Is A Team Effort People adopting a greenliving lifestyle need to change many, if not all, aspects of their life and their community.  For example, when choosing to be conscientious about recycling: it is important to recycle in all environments: in the home, in the workplace, on vacation, etc. Making the change to live green comes more naturally and easily if a group or team is also making that shift.  Oftentimes, it is best to start small and start focusing one one aspect of a green lifestyle at a time.  Some ways to get the whole family involved with recycling, one of the easiest ways to "go green", includes: 1) Create family or household goals for recycling efforts : Perhaps it is filling up the recycling bin every week.  It could be sorting all plastic soda bottles or mixed paper products from the trash and putting those items in the recycling bin.  The best way to start recycling effectively is to start with manageable and track-able goals. 2) Lea...

Properly Organize Your Recycling Bin For regular recycle-rs: the ability to organize the recycling bin is an important step in allowing resources the chance to get re-used.  Gathering and dumping recyclables into the recycling bin is inconvenient and can even result in negative consequences for the recycling process.  To recycle effectively 1) Newspapers are the first items you should load into your recycling bin.  If you have a stack of newspapers, put the entire contents on the bottom of the bin.  Not only will this help with organization, but it will weight down the bin and create a stable foundation for the rest of your recyclables. 2) Junk mail and light pamphlets should go in your recycling bin next, on top of the newspaper.  This loose paper should take up very little space in your bin. 3) Aluminum cans , such as soup and soda cans, are the perfect size and weight to be placed right on top of the stack of paper products. 4) Glass bottles are fragile ...