October is National Dental Hygiene Month. So, we wanted to share some of our favorite green products that help you have an eco-friendly smile! One thing to keep in mind with all of these products is that using too much creates unnecessary waste. You only need a pea-sized amount of toothpaste (not a huge glob like they use in the commercials). 

Tom's of Maine Toothpaste and Mouthwash - These natural products are made with the environment in mind and come in an array of great flavors. We really love their peppermint flavored Clean & Gentle fluoride toothpaste, which is sodium lauryl sulfate free.

Eco-DenT Gentle & Vegan Floss - You get 100 yards of this floss per package, making it quite economical. Its plastic-free packaging is recyclable and biodegradable and this floss contains 100% vegetable wax (no beeswax!).

Bambooya Toothbrush - We haven't tested out this product yet but we think it sounds pretty neat. This toothbrush lasts two years and is biodegradable. When you're finished with it, you can put it in your compost pile! The handle is made out of bamboo fibers and the bristles are made of boar's hair.

Fall is a busy time of year. So, while many of us enjoy celebrating and decorating for Halloween, we just don't have enough time to do everything ourselves. Buying recycled and reusable decorations is a great way to have a Green Halloween. So, for this week's tip, we found a few awesome green decorations that cost $20 or less and are available on Etsy!

1. Black & Orange Origami Star Garland - These 4.5' garlands are handmade using magazine paper and hemp cord. Each star measures 0.5" and adds a wonderful detailed accent to your festive atmosphere.

2. BOO Garland - Another handmade garland that will be a great addition to your reusable decorations. This one is made out of recycled cardboard and fabric remnants. We love this one because it is unique and stylish.

3. Black Cat & Raven Magnets - These decorative Halloween magnets are made out of soda cans! The intricate designs and lime green eyes make these a wonderfully spooky, eco-friendly decoration.

4. Personalized Treat Bags - Made out of recycled materials and totally customizable, these treat bags are sure to be a family favorite year after year!

5. Repurposed Book Art - Printed on pages from 1800's dictionaries, these unique art pieces might just find a spot on your wall all year long. We love the eerily romantic proposal skeletons!

For hundreds more Green Halloween decorations, costumes and other ideas, visit Etsy HERE.

Espresso Machines - That wedding gift that has been taking up space on your counter since it stopped working and the warranty ran out has many different parts that can be recycled but you don't have the time to disassemble it and figure out what to do with each individual part. Seattle Coffee Gear will take care of it for you. You have the option to recycle and/or trade-in your machine for credit. Don't live in Washington? No problem. Just fill out the request form HERE and they will email you an assessment of value and directions on how to proceed.

Lawn Mowers - Ecomowers teamed up with Earth911 to compile a list of locations across the US where you can bring your lawn mower to be recycled. Click HERE to find a place near you.

Shoes - While your slinky stilettos may be best suited for Good Will or eBay, there's not much hope for your abused sneakers and athletic shoes finding a new home. To recycle them, check out www.recycledrunners.com.

Batteries and Handheld Electronics - The iRecycle Kit from Battery Solutions is an easy solution for recycling your batteries and handheld electronics. Just request a kit HERE and all you have to do is fill the box and send it back. Everything is included in the cost of the kit, including pre-paid shipping once you've filled your kit with your spent batteries. 

Furniture - The best way to recycle your furniture is to donate it. Charities like Habitat for Humanity and Vietnam Veterans of America will even come to your house and pick up your furniture when you donate it! They also accept clothing, appliances and other items.

Have other odd items? The best place to start is www.freecycle.org. Even if no one may be able to use your item as-is, there is a good possibility that someone could use its parts.

Pure, fresh taste, sustainability and social responsibility, these are the pillars of Teatulia. At Global Green Property Services, we love products that are not only good for us, but good for the world. Teatulia teas are just that.

Grown in a single location in Teatulia, Bangladesh, Teatulia teas are not subject to long-term warehouse storage. Teatulia produces some of the freshest USDA certified organic tea in the world and you truly can taste the difference. Check out this video and see the garden for yourself!

All of Teatulia's packaging is eco-friendly. The pyramid bags and individual wrappers are biodegradable, canisters are compostable, labels are printed on recycled paper using water based inks and display chests are made of reclaimed wood. If that isn't enough, every time you purchase Teatulia teas, you help fund revolutionary social efforts in Bangladesh. From education and health programs to cattle-lending, Teatulia strives to take the best care of the community surrounding their garden.

Our favorite part is still the taste. Try it for yourself! Teatulia teas can be purchased online at www.teatulia.com or click here to find a store near you that sells Teatulia.

It just wouldn't be Halloween without pumpkins. For this week's Green Halloween Tip, we decided to compile a list of ways to use every part of your pumpkin. Being eco-friendly means cutting back on waste and pumpkins are just too delicious to not make the most of them! 

Pumpkin Seeds - Roasted pumpkin seeds are an easy to make and healthy snack but if you're not a fan of them, saving your seeds is a great option. Even if you don't have room to grow pumpkins yourself, they make a great gift or can always be traded for other seeds in the spring. Just be sure to let them dry out completely before putting them into a bag or seed packet so that they don't get moldy. (Click here to learn more about Seed Swaps)

Pumpkin Guts - This part of the pumpkin is probably the most easy to overlook. While it's slimy texture can be great for occupying young children during pumpkin carving, its practical uses aren't quite as obvious. If you add a little food coloring to the mix and use your imagination, the guts can become a great addition to your decorations in the form of guts, brains, vomit and more. If you're planning a Halloween party with games, the pumpkin guts are an excellent option for a "guess what's in the box" type of game where guests must identify various substances or pretend body-parts by touch only. Finally, the guts can be used to make delicious breads!

Pumpkin Shell - There are countless recipes for this part of the pumpkin. From pie filling to breads and cookies there's something for everyone to enjoy. However, if your jack-o-lanterns are past the point of being an edible option, compost them. Make sure to break them down a bit before tossing them in. Smashing them can be stress relieving and fun before adding them into the compost pile!

Boskke, derived from the Old English term 'bosky' (meaning small forest), is the name of one company that is revolutionizing indoor planting. With innovative, modern designs, Boskke offers indoor planting options that are the perfect marriage of vitality and style. No window sill? No problem!

Meet the Boskke Sky Planter Recycled, an easy to install, space-saving and chic indoor planter. Made of recycled polypropylene, these planters come in three sizes and can support a small orchid, large palms and everything in between. Imagine yourself walking through a small hanging garden in the middle of winter, conveniently located in your home or office…

 These planters were designed with a Slo-flo internal irrigation system that feeds water directly to the root of your plants, decreasing both dripping and evaporation. Each Boskke Sky Planter Recycled comes with a locking disc to secure the plant in place, ceiling hook, plastic plug, a float stick indicating water level and suspension wire. They are easy to water and range in price from just $14.95 to $34.95. Find your Boskke Sky Planter Recycled today at www.boskke.com!

Fire sprinklers save lives. You've probably heard this before. But did you know that they also help protect the environment? According to a 2010 research study conducted by FM Global and the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, fire sprinklers can reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted by burning buildings by up to 98%. Watch this video and see for yourself… 

Global Green Property Services wants to help you stay protected. We proudly support and oversee fire sprinkler installations. We want to thank all firefighters across the nation for their tremendous bravery. We are deeply grateful for your service.

Show your local firefighters that you appreciate them by getting involved with the National Fire Protection Association's Fire Sprinkler Initiative (www.firesprinklerinitiative.org).

According to greenhalloween.org, "swapping half the costumes kids wear (instead of throwing them away) at Halloween would reduce annual landfill waste by 6,250 tons, equal to the weight of 2500 midsize cars". So, we encourage you to challenge yourself and choose a costume this year without buying anything new! One way to do this is to participate in National Costume Swap Day! On Saturday, October 8th, people all over the country will be trading costumes and you could be a part of it. Visit www.greenhalloween.org/costumeswap for more info.

Another option is to make something new out of materials you already have. For a few simple, homemade green costume ideas, click HERE. Check back throughout October for eco-friendly, money-saving Halloween tips!

Cold & flu season is upon us and we wanted to share some great eco-friendly prevention methods for your home. Indoor air quality is a major concern in cold weather. Windows aren't being opened and we start spending more time inside. There are a few things you can do to help keep the air in your home cleaner and improve your chances of staying healthy.

1. Do not use harmful chemical cleaners! It's just not worth the risk, especially when an area cannot be properly ventilated. We love Seventh Generation cleaning products and sometimes, just good old vinegar.

2. Using a broom or feather duster will send dust particles into the air. Instead, try using a wet rag that can be reused.

3. Keeping a few houseplants on your sunny windowsills is not only good for your mental health, but it helps to purify the air! In a study conducted by NASA and the ALCA in the late 1980's, houseplants like bamboo and spider plants were shown to help remove harmful elements from the air.

4. Energy efficient air purifiers are another option for the winter months. Just be sure to follow the cleaning and maintenance directions carefully.