"Why so sad VHS tapes?"

We are sure many of you, may be faced with the same dilemma: What am I going to do with my VHS tapes?!!!! We are in the same boat. We actually have one storage container filled to the rim with sad VHS tapes, that will probably never be watched again. But we are not going to throw them away! So they just sit there, starring at us.

Well, we have a few new and probably older tips they may help you separate yourself from your beloved tapes once and for all.

These ideas are simple, easy, fun, and of course recyclable!

- There are few new companies that will be happy to take your VHS and either convert it to a DVD, recycle the tape/plastic/etc., or use the actual tape for another resource. This is the best way of knowing your tapes will be recycled! Here's their links:
http://www.greendisk.com/gdsite/Default.aspx
http://www.actrecycling.org/donations/tapes.asp

- Remember the Library?! Yep, your local free, book, book on tape, VHS, and DVD source that unfortunately many of us don't use as often. They gladly take donated tapes to use and check-out to people...for FREE.

- Have a good educational film, documentary, and/or historical film (i.e. JFK, Schindler's List, The Story of Anne Frank, Saving Private Ryan, The Last of the Mohicans (I watched that film a ton in 11th grade!) etc.? Many pubic High Schools are more then happy to take a look at your films for donation. History teachers love this stuff!

- Don't forget your local Salvation Army, Goodwill, or any other thrift store. They are always there for your donation.

* Remember not everyone has a DVD player, some folks can't afford it and go to the public library and/or thrift stores for a good deal. So help them out with your awesome collection of let's say maybe Rocky.*

Remember, less is more! Giving back will also help your sad but unwanted cluttered area of VHS tapes go to a good home. It's a simple step!

Have a great, simple, GREEN month!

JULY TIP: Green Up Your Trash!

So, you've taken the step to eliminate plastic shopping bags (YAY you!) and have a new found love for reusable bags. Now it's time to take an important next step in reducing your plastic bag usage: your trash can liners.

Reducing the number of plastic bags we use within the average American household is between 300 to 700 plastic bags a year. And these bags are essentially new plastic pouring into our waste management system.

Why not make the switch to bags made of plastic already in the waste cycle? Most recycled trash bags are also bio-degradable and will decompose in a landfill within 2 years. For comparison, a trash bag can often take decades to break down if it's not constructed with bio-degradable materials.

It's a simple switch that will pay big dividends in the landfill.

Here are some brands to look out for:
http://www.perfgogreen.com/products.html - You can currently find these in any CVS Store, Walgreens, amazon.com, drugstore.com, Sprouts Farmer's Market (see site for other locations) This brand also carries mini-doggie bags too!

http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/search/search_results.jsp?oss=1&removeAllFacets=true&addFacet=SRCH:Earth%20Essentials - A big "shout out" to CVS for creating a new line called Earth Essentials. Many new, earth-friendly, recycled material, products. Including TRASH BAGS!, as well as plates, paper towels, etc..

http://www.seventhgeneration.com/Recycled-Garbage-Bags - You find this brand in some Targets, Whole foods, etc.. See site for other locations.

-Please search your local grocery stores, pharmacy's, etc. for these products or others that are similar that they may carry.

*Most importantly, please think before you actually throw-away. Ask yourself..."Can this be recycled?" The answer is probably yes! Recycling your trash is always the first priority.
BUT if it needs to be thrown away, have a good recycled, bio-degradable bag to make-up for the waste!*

We hope this tip helps you stay a little more GREEN SIMPLY!