Happy Earth Day from MilliCare! This holiday has been observed on April 22 for nearly 40 years. After all this time, many of us still feel a bit overwhelmed at all of the choices we can and cannot make to truly impact our environment.

If you feel this way, take a look at MSNBC’s Earth Day recommendations, each of them simple ways to decrease production of carbon dioxide and save some money on energy bills while you’re at it! Every small step adds up to a much larger result – so think about implementing one of these ideas today!

1. Adjust your water heater
2. Upgrade old cooling systems
3. Buy a programmable thermostat for your home
4. Slow it down - don’t drive quite so fast
5. Watch that idle time
6. Map out your errands
7. Take a break from driving
8. Mow your lawn with care
9. Do laundry efficiently
10. Think about your refrigerator

For more details, see the full article here.

We’ve all heard that heavy April showers bring May flowers, but the truth is that even in water-rich areas, our most precious resource isn’t always so abundant. We at MilliCare are very proud of our dry-anchored carpet cleaning process, particularly because it enables us to use 99% less water while keeping carpets and textiles remarkably well-maintained.

It’s difficult to use 99% less water in many other everyday tasks, but there are many ways we can each begin to conserve water bit by bit. As you’ll notice as these spring showers come down, every bit adds up! Take a look at Earth Easy’s list of 25 ways to save water in your home and yard. Our favorites are the simplest suggestions – checking for leaks in the pipes and hoses we use every day.

Going green isn’t just about a corporate program or government recommendations. Sometimes the best way to be environmentally-friendly is to take small steps – starting at home.

Whether we’re decorating, grocery shopping, renovating or just plain living your life – we at MilliCare are always looking for new ways to make our habits just a bit greener. We’ve found a great site with simple tips to do just that. Visit Go Green to learn more about how our homes, communities and businesses can start taking simple steps to improve their impact on the environment.

Curious about the green cleaning movement? Want to understand how environmentally friendly maintenance practices can benefit your business?

We invite you to join us as MilliCare sponsors a webinar on those very topics. Our partners Environmental Design & Construction and Sustainable Facility magazines will be presenting a Green Cleaning webinar on Wednesday, January 28th featuring nationally recognized author Stephen Ashkin.

Ashkin, whose recently published The Business of Green Cleaning handbook is on shelves now, will lead participants in an informative discussion of green cleaning from A to Z. Whether you’re considering putting a green cleaning program in place or just want to fine tune to the system you have, this webinar will have plenty to offer.

Join us at 2:00 pm Eastern time Wednesday, January 28th to learn more about green cleaning and its benefits for your business!

Click here to register or learn more.

Most parts of the country are well into winter, that time of year when heating your home and office is a high priority. Finding eco-friendly ways to do that, however, may not be top of mind.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently printed an article on how you can reduce energy usage and still keep your workplace nice and toasty. It’s easier than it sounds – just clean and maintain your heating ducts!

Well worth the small fee associated with cleaning heating ducts, the savings can make an immediate difference in your heating bill. As with everything else in your office, an unmaintained heating system becomes covered in dust and particles that will block the flow of air. A few months later, mold growth can occur, contaminated your breathing air and further blocking heating duct airways. The result is unhealthy air in a less-than-cozy office space.

The EPA recommends that ducts be cleaned as necessary, using the indicators of mold on hard surfaces of heating registers, workers experiencing allergies and visible dust inside ducts. Take a moment this December to check your heating ducts – you’ll be glad you did.

Going green is more than just a one-time decision. In every facet of our lives we can incorporate habits that are more environmentally friendly and sustainable than ever before. Some decisions, like how to clean our homes and offices, happen throughout the year. Others, like planning for the holidays, present new opportunities to think and live green.

Considering all of the planning and preparation that Thanksgiving can take on a given year, it's hard to imagine how to make your holiday more sustainable and keep it simple. As much attention as we at MilliCare pay to maintaining a green work space, we’ve also wondered how to incorporate our passion for sustainability into this special – and hectic - time of year.

Luckily, we've found a guide to making Thanksgiving more eco-friendly (and even fun!) for your family and friends. Start a new tradition this year and you might end up with something new to be thankful on Turkey Day. Whether you're decorating, making your shopping list or cleaning before your guests arrive, these are uncomplicated steps you can take to make your celebration greener.

“The Business of Green Cleaning,” the definitive guide to the future of the cleaning and maintenance industry white paper, will be published to this website in mid-October 2008. Please check back at that time.