Sustainable Living4 min read
How to Save Energy at Home and Lower Your Bills
Practical, proven ways to save energy at home and lower your bills, from sealing drafts and adjusting the thermostat to smarter appliances and lighting.
August 3, 2026
SM
Founder & Editor
Sarah Mitchell
Writer, home cook, and slightly obsessive gardener sharing small, doable ways to live a little lighter. Sarah started Earth Friendly Blogs at her own kitchen table.
Articles by Sarah
53 articles
Recycling4 min read
TerraCycle and Hard-to-Recycle Items: A Complete Guide
How TerraCycle and free mail-in programs let you recycle toothpaste tubes, snack wrappers, and other hard-to-recycle items your curbside bin rejects.
July 31, 2026
Recycling4 min read
What Can and Can't Go in Your Curbside Recycling Bin
A clear, practical guide to what belongs in curbside recycling and what doesn't, so you stop guessing and keep your bin from being rejected.
July 29, 2026
Gardening4 min read
How to Start Seeds Indoors and Save Money Every Spring
Learn how to start seeds indoors to save money, grow more varieties, and get a jump on spring with a simple, beginner-friendly setup.
July 26, 2026
Gardening5 min read
How to Build a DIY Cold Frame for Year-Round Growing
Build a simple DIY cold frame to extend your garden season, protect seedlings, and harvest fresh greens through fall, winter, and early spring.
July 25, 2026
Gardening4 min read
How to Collect and Use Rainwater in Your Garden
Learn how to collect rainwater with a barrel system and use it to water your garden, saving money and conserving a valuable resource.
July 24, 2026
Gardening4 min read
How to Make a Rain Garden to Manage Runoff Naturally
Build a rain garden to capture stormwater runoff, filter pollutants, and support pollinators using native plants and a shallow planted basin.
July 22, 2026
Eco Kitchen4 min read
How to Dehydrate Food at Home to Reduce Waste
Learn how to dehydrate fruits, vegetables, and herbs at home to preserve surplus produce, cut food waste, and build a lasting pantry.
July 21, 2026
Zero Waste4 min read
Zero-Waste Swaps for Your Car and Daily Commute
Simple zero-waste swaps for your car and commute, from a spill-proof coffee cup to an emergency kit, that cut trash without changing your routine.
July 16, 2026
Eco Kitchen3 min read
Kitchen Knife Safety: The Eco-Friendly Case for Sharp Knives
Sharp knives are safer than dull ones. Here's the kitchen knife safety case for keeping blades sharp, and why it's a sustainability habit too.
May 25, 2026
Eco Kitchen3 min read
The Best Sustainable Kitchen Knives: What to Look for When Buying
Discover what makes the best sustainable kitchen knives, from quality steel to repairable construction, so you buy once and keep a blade for a lifetime.
May 22, 2026
Eco Kitchen3 min read
Earth-Friendly Easter and Spring Celebration Ideas
Earth-friendly Easter and spring celebration ideas, from natural egg dyes to reusable baskets, that lean into the season instead of filling it with plastic.
May 21, 2026
Composting3 min read
Spring Composting Guide: Getting Your Pile Ready for the Season
A spring composting guide to inspecting, turning, and rebalancing your pile after winter so it heats up fast and feeds your garden through the growing season.
May 21, 2026
Gardening3 min read
Spring Garden Planting Guide: What to Plant and When
A spring garden planting guide built around your last frost date, showing what to plant and when so cool-season and warm-season crops all go in on time.
May 20, 2026
Eco Kitchen4 min read
Eco-Friendly Spring Activities for the Whole Family
Fun, low-cost eco-friendly spring activities the whole family will love, from backyard gardens to nature walks that teach kids to care for the planet.
May 19, 2026
Eco Kitchen4 min read
How to Teach Kids About Sustainability: Fun Activities That Work
Learn how to teach kids about sustainability with hands-on, age-appropriate activities like composting and gardening that build lifelong green habits.
May 11, 2026
Zero Waste3 min read
How to Reduce Plastic Use at Home: 20 Practical Tips
Reduce plastic use at home with twenty practical swaps that take minutes to set up and quietly cut your household waste for good.
May 8, 2026
Eco Kitchen3 min read
How to Shop at a Farmers Market: Beginner's Guide to Local Food
A beginner's guide to shopping a farmers market: what to bring, how to talk to vendors, and how to shop seasonal local food like a pro.
May 6, 2026
Eco Kitchen4 min read
How to Preserve Food at Home: Sustainable Methods That Work
Learn sustainable ways to preserve food at home, from freezing and canning to fermenting and drying, so you waste less and eat local year-round.
May 5, 2026
Eco Kitchen4 min read
How to Build an Eco-Friendly Kitchen Without Spending a Fortune
Build an eco-friendly kitchen on a budget by starting with free habits, smart swaps, and using what you already own before buying anything.
May 4, 2026
Eco Kitchen4 min read
How to Use a Whetstone to Sharpen Knives: Complete Beginner Guide
Learn how to use a whetstone to sharpen knives at home. A beginner-friendly guide to grit, angle, and technique that lasts.
May 4, 2026
Gardening4 min read
Easy Vegetables to Grow at Home for Zero Waste Beginners
Discover the easiest vegetables to grow at home for zero waste beginners, from fast salad greens to herbs that cut plastic packaging.
May 2, 2026
Gardening4 min read
How to Grow Tomatoes Sustainably in Containers
Learn how to grow tomatoes sustainably in containers, from choosing compact varieties to watering, feeding, and saving seeds for next year.
May 1, 2026
Gardening4 min read
Native Plants for Your Garden: Why They Matter and How to Choose
Discover why native plants for your garden matter for wildlife and water use, plus how to choose the right ones for your region.
May 1, 2026