Five GreenLiving Ideas for The Office

Easy Eco-Friendly Tips for an Office Space

Grady's GreenLiving Tips often focuses on ways people and their family members and friends can practice eco-friendly tips and advice inside the home.  For example, green ways to clean kitchen counters or ways to reduce food waste at birthday parties or large family gatherings.  This week, learn five greenliving tips that can benefit an office space:

1) Recycle when possible: Recycling is an easy way to live a green life.  Remember to practice recycling even in an office setting.  Instead of throwing away old papers and folders, these materials can easily be recycled.

2) Reduce the use of plastic cups:  Visiting the office water cooler several times a day?  Using multiple plastic or paper cups, or other one-use products like plastic cutlery, is wasteful and can eventually damage the environment.  Try to reuse the same cup throughout the day.  An even better option is to bring a water bottle or mug from home that can be washed and re-used every day.  

A Guide to Indoor Plants and Pets

Not All Plants and Flowers are Safe for Our Four-Legged Friends

It's almost springtime: plants, flowers, and foliage will begin to bloom.  Hoping to decorate and/ or purchase seasonal flowers and plants for the home this season?  While flowers can make a great decoration or centerpiece, pet owners should always remain vigilant before bringing foliage into the home.  Not all plants and flowers are safe for pets.  In fact, dogs and cats can become sick if they accidentally ingest or are even exposed to some foliage.

Below are just three of several plant and flower types pet owners should avoid.

1. Azaleas: Azaleas are pink flowers that bloom in the springtime.  These flowers are toxic for both dogs and cats and cause symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.  Learn more here.

2. Tulips: Tulips are brightly colored flowers that bloom in the springtime.  They are often yellow, red, and white.  Tulips are toxic to both dogs and cats.  The majority of the toxins dangerous to animals is located in the tulip bulb.  Learn more here.

3. Lilies: Lilies are a type of flower that can be found in many colors.  They are not toxic to dogs but can be toxic to cats, causing kidney failure.  Learn more here.

This information was found in the article "Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List" on the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals website.  Learn more by reading the article on aspca.org.

Remember to contact the vet if plants and/ or flowers are accidentally consumed by pets.

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.