Garbage disposals are certainly a convenience, but green living advocates have often wondered if they’re the best choice for the environment.  Should you send leftover food down the disposal, or should you just pitch it in the trash?

A recent Slate Magazine article on the best way dispose of leftover food mentions some important points, but this is a debate that may never get a solid conclusion.  Here is some food for thought when it comes to using a garbage disposal…or not.

The Methane Factor: Organic waste produces methane gas, which is harmful to the environment, but some waste treatment plants and landfills now have equipment in place to capture methane gas as an alternative energy source. Find out what’s going on in your community and consider a garbage disposal if your water treatment plant has these facilities, or throw your food in the trash if your local landfill has the capabilities to capture methane.

The Water Conservation Factor: When using a garbage disposal, you have to consider the amount of water and energy it takes to get the waste down the disposal, not to mention the production process for the garbage disposal itself.

The Fuel Conservation Factor: Similar to the water conservation point, one could argue that sending waste to a landfill via a garbage truck requires fossil fuel and results in carbon emissions.

Earth Friendly Alternatives: There are two ways to avoid the garbage disposal debate.  First, using a backyard composting bin is always a better choice than a disposal or a trash can.  Second, planning your meals so that you only cook what you need, and using up leftovers are great ways to reduce household waste, so you don’t have to worry about getting rid of it.

Anyone who’s ever lugged home a jumbo jug of laundry soap, and then lugged the empty jug to the recycling center might be interested in trying Ecoballs. Apparently, you just toss a couple of these into your washing machine and the ionized energy between the balls creates an oxygen reaction which cleans and softens your clothes without laundry detergent or fabric softener.

In addition to reducing your household waste, reducing pollutants in the environment, and saving money by not using laundry soap, you can also save water by skipping the rinse cycle with Ecoballs. Depending on which ones you choose, Ecoballs can last from 100 to 1,000 wash cycles. Ecoballs are manufactured in the UK, and they were voted one of 10 Best Green Household Products of 2005 by The Independent, a British newspaper. According to EcoGadget, Ecoballs are also antibacterial and hypoallergenic.

If you’ve tried this green laundry detergent alternative, post a comment and tell us what you think. Ecoballs are available at EcoGadget.

You can save many trees and reduce the amount of waste in your green household by taking a closer look at some of the everyday household items you have on hand. Here are a few green living tips for reducing paper waste in your green home.

Wipe Out the Wipes: It seems every cleaning product imaginable comes in a handy wipe option. From glass cleaner to furniture polish, Americans have become addicted to grab and toss cleaning wipes. Eliminating cleaning wipes from your shopping list in favor of a cleaning rag and a bottle of environmentally friendly household cleaner can save you money and help you live a little greener.

Break the Paper Towel Habit: Try using a cotton dish towel or washcloth instead of paper towels to clean up spills. You’ll save money and reduce the amount of waste coming from your home. Not sure you can live without them? Try cutting back when you can and using recycled paper towels when you must.

Discover Micro Fiber: Micro fiber cleaning cloths (shown above) are a must when it comes to green cleaning products. I use these all over my home and am always amazed at the results. You can use them to remove stubborn stains on furniture, carpet, and all around the house for general cleaning. Using micro fiber cleaning cloths often eliminates the need for paper towels, cleaning wipes or harsh cleaners.

There is a common misconception that living green is always expensive. While some green household products do cost more than traditional products, there are many things you can do to save energy, reduce household waste, and live greener for less than $10. Here are just a few:

Install a sink water aerator: Available for just a few dollars, these household gadgets attach to your kitchen or bathroom water faucet, and will help you conserve water in your home.

Put up a clothes line: Get back to basics and line dry your clothes. For less than $10 you can buy clothes pins and the rope you need to make a brand new clothesline. Not only will you save energy by not using your clothes dryer, you’ll be surprised how fresh your clothes smell.

Make your own cleaner: You can easily mix your own homemade household cleaners with basic, low-cost ingredients such as baking soda, citrus fruits, and vinegar. Cost $3-$7.

Buy a plant: For a few bucks, a single house plant can help improve the air quality in your home.

Ditch the paper towels: Buy a package of washcloths or make your own from old clothing, and you’ll be reducing household waste and saving trees. Cost: $5-$10, and maybe nothing if you make your own.

Unplug!: Pull the plug on household electronics such as televisions and computers whenever you can. As always, this energy-saving technique is absolutely free!