Try to imagine a day where you go without using plastic—it’s impossible. From yogurt containers to shampoo bottles to takeout containers, plastic is a part of our daily lives. Just a few years ago, this didn’t bother many people because recycling plastic was easier and more commonplace. South Hills townships used to recycle all plastics…

Sponges. We all use them, from cleaning pots and pans to other household chores. But did you know that many sponges contain plastic? They are also a repository for germs and pretty hard to recycle. One way to make environmental changes in kitchen habits is to replace sponges with Swedish dishcloths. They are made from…

I grew up having paper towels handy for many uses, especially in the kitchen. Wash your hands; dry with a paper towel. Spill on the floor; wipe with a paper towel. Rinse fruits and vegetables; spread to dry on a paper towel. You get the idea. Once we started composting, we would add the used…