Five Ways To Reuse Plastic Bags

Reuuse, Don't Throw Away

Grocery shopping?  Going on a lunch break?  Packing for a vacation?  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 them:

1. Small trash can liners: plastic bags are the perfect size to line small trash cans in bathrooms and guest rooms.
2. Pet waste bag or glove: when walking the dog or cleaning up a cat's litter box, it never hurts to be prepared.  Utilizing the plastic grocery bag as a pet waste glove is a perfect way to save resources.
3. Car trip trash: keep plastic bags in the glove compartment on longer car road trips in case anyone needs a place to dispose of trash or waste on the way.
4. Plant protector: Cover outdoor potted plants during the evening or storms with old grocery store bags.
5. Suitcase or box buffer: For those moving homes or storing items in closets or storage bins, always use plastic bags to act as a buffer for delicate items.

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.

Five Easy Ways to Tarnish Your GreenLiving Lifestyle

GreenLiving is Something to Continually Work at Accomplishing 

GreenLiving is a lifestyle choice that requires time and dedication to sustain.  Five common elements that can hinder a green lifestyle include:

1) Remember to always recycle: Recycling is one of the easiest ways to "go green" but choosing selectively recycle or to recycle only when convenient is not the best green choice.  Remeber to recycle not just at home, but at social gatherings, parties, vacations, and elsewhere.

2) Choose to pick up waste: Walking over trash, waste, or debris and not collecting it to throw away can cause everlasting damage on the local environment.  Try to pick up solid debris, such as old newspapers,and dispose properly when possible.

3) Turn off the tap: Water is a precious resource.  Letting the tap run when brushing teeth, washing dishes, or cleaning is not eco-friendly: even if just for a few minutes.  Keep water use low whenever possible.

Three Tips To Conserve Water in your Apartment and/ or Home

Water is a precious resource- and finding new or creative ways to conserve water in your household is the corner stone to living an eco-friendly life!  Learn three water conservation tips here:

1. Maintain You Dishwasher and Washing Machine

Don’t run your washing machine or dishwasher if it is only half-full.  Similarly, try to do less laundry by wearing your clothes more before washing. While this might be different than you are used to, there is no hygienic reason to wash clothes after only one wear.  This process also means less wear and tear on your clothes.

Five Steps To Create a Bottle Garden for the Summer

Green Crafts for this Season

Last year, Grady's GreenLiving tips shared information on how to create a bottle garden: an ecosystem in a bottle or series of bottles that is the perfect size for an apartment patio or balcony.  Read below for a reminder, step by step guide on how to create bottle garden this summer:

1. Select an appropriate container: This really depends on the size of the plant desired.  For small plants, like basil or a small flower, a two liter bottle should suffice.  Bigger plants in turn would require a bigger container, like an old laundry detergent bin.
2. Cut holes for drainage: Any flower pot has a hole cut on the bottom for drainage.  Do not forget to do this for your bottle garden or the plant will quickly deteriorate due to improper drainage.