According to a recent Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and Staples Foundation for Learning (SFFL) survey of more than 1,200 youths, ages 11-13, 92 percent of tweens said they are “very concerned” or “somewhat concerned” about the environment. Nearly half recycle or reuse their food and drink containers, and 40 percent would watch less television and play fewer video games to save energy.

One example, Florida’s Edgewater Boys & Girls Club Torch Club, was named a winner of the “Be Great. Be Green” National Project Award for the Club’s efforts to educate members about environmental stewardship and sustainability of resources, while also motivating neighbors to take action. Awarded by BGCA and SFFL, the national award is designed to raise awareness about environmental issues and motivate youth, educators and parents to take action.

“We all know how important it is to protect our country’s natural resources so they can be enjoyed for generations to come,” said Camille Winbush, an actress best known for her roles on “The Secret Life of An American Teenager” and “The Bernie Mac Show,” and a judge of the “Be Great, Be Green” award. “When youth are educated about environmental issues, they become involved in their communities and are able to make big changes.”

Along with SFFL, BGCA wants parents, educators and children to take a tiny green step by being on the lookout for green office and school supplies throughout the year:

• Recycled pencils. The good old No. 2 isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, but now you can find recycled pencils. Made from some of the billions of scrapped tires in stockpiles today, the RENEW Recycled Tire Pencil’s casing is made from 30 percent recycled tires. With a No. 2 graphite core, the pencil also contains bio-degradable latex-free erasers.

• Eco-friendly pens. If you’re more of a pen person, be on the lookout for recycled and biodegradable versions by Pilot or Industries of the Blind.

• Re-binders. No student can get through the school year without a binder. Recycled binders from Re-Binder are not only eco-friendly, but sturdy and cheap.

For more information, visit http://www.staplesfoundation.org and http://www.bgca.org.

Gardening is Good for You

• Being active in the garden increases your connection to nature and gets you up off the sofa. Remember, weeds won’t wait.
• Growing a garden takes patience, follow-through and problem-solving skills, making it a great activity for the entire family.
• Gardening helps increase endurance and physical strength, and improves coordination, balance and agility. Working in the garden strengthens muscles, improves blood flow and releases endorphins, which are natural painkillers.
• Activities like pushing a wheelbarrow and carrying plants help to strengthen your heart and bones.
• Life can be stressful. Time in the garden can be meditative and calming. Research has shown that people who interact with plants recover more quickly from stress and fatigue.
• Growing plants — especially fruits, vegetables, herbs and other edibles — gives a sense of accomplishment and improves nutrition. You’re more likely to eat healthy foods you’ve grown and prepared yourself. If you’re growing fruits and vegetables, make sure to grow a little more than you need and take the GroGood pledge to donate the extra harvest to your local food agency. Gardening is good for your health and giving is too.

Gardening is Good for the Earth

• Test your soil to find out the pH and how much nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium it contains, and then use a fertilizer that contains the right nutrients for your soil type. Always be sure to sweep any loose fertilizer off sidewalks or driveways to prevent runoff.
• Keep an eye on your plants and pay attention to the bugs that you find. Not all bugs are pests. Some, like lady-bugs, are actually beneficial and eat the insects that would otherwise harm your garden.
• Many regions of the country experience droughts and water usage restrictions during the summer months. Use a rain barrel to collect water from the roof and gutters and you’ll have a ready supply of water. If you’re not sure when to water your plants or how much, try Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Garden Soil. It improves existing soil to build strong roots and is specially formulated to hold up to 25 percent more water than native soil. If your current soil condition is worn out, compacted and drained of its essential nutrients, Moisture Control Garden Soil mixed with your existing soil can turn bad soil into great soil.
• Pull weeds by hand as soon as you see them to eliminate the competition for space and water.

For more information on gardening and healthy soil, visit the Miracle-Gro Web site, and for additional information on the GroGood pledge, edible gardening resources or how to locate a local food agency that accepts fresh produce, please visit http://www.GroGood.com.

- Courtesy of ARA

Despite cost-cutting instincts, sometimes spending a little bit more up front can ultimately save you money. Here are five examples where spending more money up front is well worth the long-term savings and benefits:

Join A Wholesale Club
Don’t be deterred by the annual membership fee. Wholesale clubs are ripe with deals that can translate to major savings. According to research by Sound Mind Investing, you can save up to 83 percent on generics such as aspirin and hand sanitizer, an average of 66 percent on bottled water and sandwich baggies, and an average of 38 percent on chicken and snacks.

Shell Out For Pet Insurance
Investing in pet insurance can be a fiscally responsible thing to do. Should something happen to your animal, a monthly insurance premium may let you cover procedures you wouldn’t normally be able to afford. Today, vets can perform treatments that were unheard of just a few years ago; however, they come with a hefty price tag.

According to the Merck/ Merial Manual for Pet Health, it is dramatically cheaper to prevent health problems than it is to treat them, and pet owners with pet insurance are more likely to get their animals the types of regular and preventative care they need.

Buy Original Ink Cartridges
Remanufactured or refilled ink cartridges may seem like a money saver, but savvy shoppers should consider the total cost of ownership when it comes to purchasing ink cartridges. A QualityLogic study found that Original HP inkjet cartridges printed an average 65 percent more pages than the refill brands tested.

In fact, according to QualityLogic, more than 33 percent of tested refilled cartridges failed during use or right out of the box; only the tested Original HP ink cartridges worked every time, with no cartridge failures. Buying original ink cartridges from manufacturers such as HP can save you time and money.

Additionally, ink cartridge recycling programs, such as HP Planet Partners, help reduce the environmental impact by diverting cartridges from landfills.

Use Synthetic Oil
Do your car and wallet a favor by going synthetic. Synthetic oil is more expensive than conventional oil but over time you will see a big payoff. According to Grist magazine, by using synthetic oil over conventional oil, your car will get better wear-and-tear protection and all-around better fuel economy. All these benefits add up to a car that requires fewer repairs—which equals even more savings.

Invest In A Water Filter
If you’re looking to improve the quality of your water supply, a water filtration system can be a good investment compared to continually buying bottled water. According to best-water-filter-guide.com, although the U.S and Canada have some of the safest water supplies in the world, many contaminants still exist in tap water.

Compared to bottled water, having a water filtration system can positively affect your health, save you money and protect the environment by eliminating plastic bottles in landfills. Whether for an entire house, shower or faucet system, water filters can be very effective at removing chlorine, dirt and rust.