If you are an urban dweller, or simply don’t have enough space for an outdoor compost pile, you can buy your own (it doesn’t get much easier than that). This website offers a wide selection of options.  Or, you can put on your DIY hat and make your own. Here’s how, courtesy of EPA.gov:

• Drill ½-inch holes in the bottom and sides of a plastic garbage can.
• Get a larger garbage can, place a brick at the bottom surrounded with a layer of wood chips or soil.
• Place smaller can inside on top of the brick.
• Wrap insulation around the outer can to keep the compost warm.
• Cover the whole thing with a lid.

Using this method, your compost should be ready in two to five weeks. And according to the EPA, if properly managed, your bin will not smell or attract pests.

If you are fortunate enough to have a large enough backyard, click here for the EPA’s tips on outdoor composting.

Whether indoor or outdoor composting, make sure your bin always contains a good mix of materials including dead leaves, branches, twigs, vegetable waste, fruit scraps, coffee grinds and water.

Now that you got your compost bin all set up, it’s important to know what is compostable. Here’s a short list of some of the more surprising options courtesy of the EPA:

• Dryer lint
• Coffee filters
• Cotton rags
• Eggshells
• Hair and fur

The following items should never go in your compost bin:

• Black walnut tree leaves or twigs
• Coal or charcoal ash
• Dairy products (e.g., butter, milk, sour cream, yogurt) and eggs
• Diseased or insect-ridden plants
• Fats, grease, lard, or oils
• Meat or fish bones and scraps
• Pet wastes (e.g., dog or cat feces, soiled cat litter)
• Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides

For more information on composting, click here.

Not feeling DIY composting? Don’t worry, many cities and towns now offer compost collections. Just be sure to keep your scraps in the freezer to prevent smell and rot, or try a compost collector. We like this one from Full Circle.

Do you have some compost tips? Share them below.

1. Consider your bicycle the same way you would any motorized vehicle and act accordingly. This means stopping at stop signs and traffic lights, and using your hands and arms to signal when you are about to make a turn, merge or stop.

2. Wear bright colors no matter what time of day. At night, up your visibility by wearing reflective tape and using awhite front light and red rear light or reflector.

3. Don’t attempt to cut through traffic by swerving between parked cars and riding on the sidewalk.

4. Pay attention to your surroundings and learn how to brake and turn to avoid a crash.

5. This should go without saying but, wear a helmet!

Source: The League of American Bicyclists

For more tips on biking etiquette, take a cue from New York City’s Department of Transportation’s “Don’t Be A Jerk” campaign. This video humorously illustrates some of the aforementioned riding tips to help make the roads a safer place, and with commuter cycling up 262% in New York from 2000 to 2010, it’s definitely warranted.

While common sense rules regarding cycling apply no matter where you ride, bicycle laws do vary by state, and it is important to learn them before you strap on your helmet and hit the road. Click here for a breakdown of bike laws by state.

If you still need convincing that cycling is a great way to get in shape and help the environment, check out this handy infographic from Healthcaremanagementdegree.com.

Buy less, recycle more

If one of your resolutions is to buy less stuff, then you already are on your way to a greener New Year. When you buy something new, you are contributing to the environmental impact of the product from sourcing of materials to shipping. So, simply buying less can do a lot for the planet, not to mention your wallet. When you must buy new, keep your carbon footprint in check by donating what you can to an organization like Goodwill and remembering to recycle those electronics.

Cut back on catalogs

This is one we can all get behind, because really, who likes junk mail? Turns out, thanks to an organization called Catalog Choice, you can put an end to that unwanted mail once and for all. Visit Catalogchoice.org to learn how to remove your name from company mailing lists, and learn which ones are doing more to go paperless.

Get a programmable thermostat

Remember that infomercial with the catchphrase “set it and forget it?” Well, a programmable thermostat does just that. The thermostat comes with four pre-programmed settings — which can be adjusted to fit your lifestyle — that regulate your home’s temperature in the summer and winter and adjust for when you are at home, asleep or away.

Buy local, buy in season

When you shop your local farmers market for what’s in season, you save money and can be sure you are getting the freshest and tastiest produce. Don’t live near a farmers market? Don’t worry. Many supermarkets and groceries are doing more to highlight seasonal produce. Click here to learn what’s in season in your area.

Got some more easy tips for going green? Share them with us below.

Through Google Public Alerts, you can now receive emergency notifications and access the tools you need to protect yourself and your loved ones. The system incorporates data from the U.S. Geological Survey, as well as the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service, ensuring that you will have the most up-to-date information on any impending weather emergencies.

Using the tool, you can determine where and when an event will strike and how severe it will be. Google will provide safety tips, maps and links to websites with useful information.

“From having been on the front line of several crises, I know personally that the Internet can get populated with misinformation that confuses the public and can interfere with response efforts,” said USGS director Marcia McNutt, in a press release. “I am very grateful for this partnership with Google to point people to authoritative sources of critical information when they need it most.”

Among the top 10 companies featured on the global list, only one U.S. company (IBM) made it on the top 10 list. Meanwhile, Brazil, Germany and the United Kingdom are leading the way with two companies apiece in the top 10. In terms of industry, financial companies took four of the top 10 spots.

The top 10 greenest global companies:

1. Santander (financials)
2. Wipro (information technology and services)
3. Bradesco (financials)
4. IBM (information technology and services)
5. National Australia Bank (financials)
6. BT Group (telecommunications)
7. Munich Re (financials)
8. SAP (information technology and services)
9. KPN (telecommunications)
10. Marks & Spencer Group

What about the companies that most of us associate with every day? Below are the top five greenest companies in four key industries. Did your favorite companies make the cut?

Consumer goods

1. Sharp
2. Panasonic
3. Sony
4. Kimberly-Clark
5. L’Oréal

Hotels and restaurants

1. Starbucks
2. Las Vegas Sands
3. Marriott International
4. Sodexo
5. Yum! Brands

Retailers

1. Marks & Spencer Group
2. Staples
3. PPR
4. Kingfisher
5. Best Buy

Textiles, apparel and luxury goods

1. Inditex
2. H&M
3. Adidas
4. Gap
5. Nike

Company rankings were determined by their overall green score, which included three component scores: environmental impact, environmental management and environmental disclosure. For more information on the methodology, click here.

Unlike the droughts, Sandy’s impact on food supply was more indirect, as the costs are mostly related to the inability to ship food to the East Coast. And with roads blocked and gas stations closed, delivering food to affected areas could be problematic for some time. However, certain Thanksgiving staples, including cranberries, could be in short supply as these mostly come from Massachusetts and New Jersey, both of which were hit by the storm.

Hurricane Sandy’s greatest impact was probably on the seafood industry, with the storm affecting everything from fishermen to restaurants. Key fishing areas along New Jersey’s coast and the South Shore of Long Island were hit hard, and many of those residents saw their homes and businesses destroyed by the storm.

Fortunately, because precautions were taken, the seafood supply should improve quickly. However oysters and similar shellfish that require years to grow may take up to a year or more to return to pre-storm levels.

As with produce, the greatest issue is likely with getting the seafood to the restaurants and supermarkets and meeting their demands. Ahead of the storm, many businesses held off seafood orders, and power outages made keeping things fresh impossible. Now that they’re starting to run again, they’re left without a steady supply of fish.

Outside of the United States, Haiti’s food supply in particular was hurt by Hurricane Sandy. Residents were already protesting higher food prices before the storm hit, and now widespread crop loss could drive them up even more.

The aftermath of superstorm Sandy at Tremley Point Road in Linden, N.J. Photo credit: Ryan Calvert

The storm may have passed, but the widespread damage from superstorm Sandy will be felt for months to come. With so many states affected — from the East Coast to the Midwest — recovery will be a massive undertaking for local governments, emergency workers and relief organizations.

And while professionals are already mobilized around the country to help mitigate what will likely amount to billions of dollars in damages, private donations from people like you are needed to facilitate a speedy recovery.

Volunteering with cleanup efforts and donating food, clothing and other supplies are great ways to aid the relief effort, but the best way to help out is by making a monetary donation to a reputable charity.

Many organizations, including the American Red Cross, allow you to specify how you want your money to be used, or you can simply have it go to the area of greatest need. Other national organizations worth contributing to include AmeriCares and the Salvation Army.

Another way to help out is to consider supporting a crowd fundraising campaign, such as this one on Crowdrise.com, which uses the Web and social media to raise money for multiple organizations at once.

Unfortunately, disasters can bring out the worst in some people, and some dubious “charities” will likely surface, hoping to feed off the good nature of kind folks. Before you donate to any organization, no matter how reputable it may seem, be sure to verify its legitimacy by vetting it through a watchdog organization, such as Charitywatch.org.

Tell us: How are you helping with Hurricane Sandy relief in your area?

Consuming dirt, chalk, paper or hair on a regular basis might seem bizarre to most of us, yet that is the reality for sufferers of pica, an eating disorder defined by the eating of nonfood items. And it seems that this strange disorder is affecting more people every year. Between 1999 and 2009, yearly hospitalizations for pica in the United States increased by 93%, according to a report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

A disease some don’t grow out of

Children are always putting weird things in their mouths, so it’s not surprising that pica is seen more often in children. However, pica is not just kids’ stuff, and adults can suffer from this disorder as well. Pica can occur during pregnancy — guess there are weirder cravings than pickles and ice cream — as hormonal changes and the body try to meet the nutritional needs of the fetus. Similarly, for nonpregnant sufferers, being nutrient-deficient could trigger unusual cravings. Still, others may desire certain objects simply for the way they feel in their mouths.

Often pica behaviors will disappear on their own; but for others, these symptoms last well into adulthood and can occur alongside other mental disorders.

Weird eating can lead to serious consequences

Pica is frequently associated with lead poisoning, which can lead to intellectual impairment and behavioral problems — as well as seizures, coma and respiratory arrest. Other complications from pica can include parasitic infestations associated with consuming feces or dirt and such gastrointestinal complications as constipation, ulcerations and intestinal obstructions.

A psychological and physiological disorder

As mentioned above, pica appears to have both physiological and psychological effects. Therefore, treating the disease cannot be a one-size-fits all approach. Treatment usually begins by assessing the nutritional needs of the sufferer and then examining environment, cultural and familial behaviors to determine the cause and find the best course of action. Treatment can include giving the sufferer positive reinforcement for eating normal foods and medication to treat developmental disorders.

Bizarre eating not always a pathological disorder

Any fans of Andrew Zimmern will understand that what’s considered strange eating can vary across the globe. For many cultures, eating such things as dirt is part of the cultural experience and not considered a pathological disorder. For example, in some southern, rural African-American communities, eating clay and starch is common.

Don’t wait to seek help

Whether culturally acceptable or not, ingesting certain objects can lead to severe health consequences and should be taken seriously. If you suspect you or someone you know may suffer from pica, seek professional help immediately.

Photo: TheLowLine.org

The popularity of New York City’s High Line, the former elevated train track transformed into an urban park that has been bringing in trendy food vendors and prompting many a marriage proposal, has got supporters thinking about transforming other once neglected spaces.

One such spot is the former Williamsburg Trolley Terminal located in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Opened in 1903 as a depot for streetcars transporting passengers between Manhattan and Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the terminal closed in 1948 when streetcar service was discontinued. Today, developers and supporters are working to transform the neglected space into the “Lowline.”

The folks behind the project are hoping the Lowline will do for the Lower East Side, what the High Line has done for the West Side. Supporters say the project will serve as both an event space and a cultural destination for residents, in addition to supporting local businesses. Throughout the fall of 2012, backers have been working hard to make this a reality. Learn how you can help here.

A once beloved dog

There was a time, however, when pit bulls (and related breeds) weren’t feared and were even, dare we say, loved by the population. Fans of the TV show “Little Rascals,” for example, will recall the show’s beloved mascot Pete. Other famous pit bulls in history include General Patton’s dog Willie; Nipper, who became immortalized in the RCA logo; and Helen Keller’s pit bull, Sir Thomas.

Irresponsible breeding leads to negative reputation

So how did the pit bull, a dog so beloved throughout history, become associated with back-alley dog fights, gangs and other criminal activity? History of the breed shows us that the choice of pit pull as the ultimate fighting dog is no accident. The dogs are descendants of the original bull-baiting dogs, which were bred to bite and hold bulls and other large animals. The idea was for these dogs to hold onto the other animal until it tired out or lost too much blood. The sport of baiting large animals was banned in the 1800s, prompting owners to start fighting their dogs against each other instead.

With dog fighting growing in popularity, enthusiasts bred a lighter, more athletic animal, which eventually made its way to North America and became the pit bull we know today. However, not all pit bulls were used for fighting and were even considered ideal family pets. Unfortunately, as some owners began looking for tougher dogs, irresponsible breeders started producing puppies that were highly aggressive to both animals and people.

Awareness and activism offer new hope for troubled breed

Hoping to restore pit bulls to a more sterling reputation, Bless the Bullys, a pit bull rescue and education group in Middle Tennessee, launched National Pit Bull Awareness Day on Oct. 27, 2007. According to the organization’s website, the goal of the day is to educate the public about pit bulls, prevent breed bans and keep more of them out of animal shelters.

With caring and responsible ownership, pit bulls can make great pets. So visit your local animal shelter and consider adopting one today.