Even if you live in the snow belt you can still compost all through the winter -- I did for 15 years in a homemade three-bin composter west of Boston. A good overview will show you the basics, such as proper materials, layering, air and moisture and, of course, what can and can't be composted. Still, composting in bitter climates requires a few techniques.

Composting will continue, albeit slowly, as long as your piles are above freezing. If your piles are big enough, they will generate their own heat, but usually not enough. My piles certainly worked, so they were generating heat but it wasn't until I moved to the Southwest that I realized how fast the process could occur. So the secret is adding and conserving heat. Use as much solar energy as you can by orienting your bins to the south. Consider covering your bins with translucent plastic to capture the sun's heat, but remember to add some water to the piles and provide some ventilation. You won't be adding as many materials or turning the piles as much as you do in the growing season.

People make compost in Alaska, but in a small glass or plastic-sheeted greenhouse heated by a light bulb. If you have cold frames (hot boxes) consider using one or more for compost; just don't open the top except to add more materials and to ventilate once in a while. I made mine by salvaging old storm windows and scrap plywood. I insulated them with one-inch extruded foam. If you are using worms to speed the process, a cover will keep them dry. Trench composting is another alternative, but not where frost penetrates deeply.

method laundry demo from People Against Dirty on Vimeo.

In this, the latest installment of my ongoing pursuit of green laundry bliss, I present the new Method Laundry Detergent.

To those familiar with the Method brand of eco-friendly and beautifully packaged home and personal care cleaning products, this is more of the same good stuff. A plant-based formula, 95% natural and renewable ingredients, biodegradable and non-toxic.

The big news is that their new laundry product has an ultra-concentrated formula, which has several green benefits.

You can avoid headaches and the aggravation of allergies by using natural non-toxic household cleaners. Natural cleaners won't harm your lungs and they will save you tons of money. Here are the top five:

1. Lemons. The citric acidity in lemons is naturally anti-bacterial and lemons just smell fresh and clean, which is why the vast majority of toxic cleaners mask their harsh ingredients with a lemony scent. You can rub half a lemon on a cutting board after use to prevent unpleasant odors and to eliminate the build-up of grime. You can also polish metal surfaces such as sinks with lemons for a beautiful gleam.

2. Plain club soda. Pour plain club soda (not the low-sodium kind) into a spray bottle and spray on glass surfaces or mirrors. Use a lint-free cloth or paper towel to wipe.

Did you know that, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, the typical family spends about $1,900 on utility bills? And that, each year, the carbon dioxide released by the electricity and fossil fuels needed for a single home is more than two average-sized cars? The good news is that there are some fairly simple steps you can take when going green and heating your home to save energy, save money, and save the environment as well.

Invest in a programmable thermostat
For as low as $30, you can install a programmable thermostat in your home that will allow you to go green and heat your home at the same time. You can save 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills by lowering the thermostat by 10-15 degrees for the eight hours you're at work. Programmable thermostats can save up to six different temperature settings per day, making it easy to set for when you wake up, when you leave for work, when you return home, or when you go to bed. There are many types of programmable thermostats on the market. Consumer Reports has some tips on what to look for when making a purchase.

Make sure your home is properly sealed and insulated
Sealing and insulating the outer shell of your home -- the walls, ceiling, floors, and windows -- can boost it's energy efficiency and save you up to 10% on your annual energy bill. Check your home for leaks and gaps that need caulking. Energy Star has a Do-It-Yourself Guide to help you get started. Insulate your water heater with a pre-cut jacket or blanket that runs for around $20 and has an insulating value of at least R-8, but be sure to leave the air intake vent uncovered. Wrapping your hot water pipes with insulation as well will reduce heat loss, and even help conserve water by delivering hot water to your faucet or shower head quicker.

You know those movies where scientists tunnel to the center of the Earth, and they have to use magic technology to survive the heat coming from the molten lava core?

That's not real. But there is some pretty amazing -- yet simple -- technology that allows us to use the naturally consistent temperature of Earth just below the frost line to heat and cool homes. It's also very eco-friendly: you don't burn anything, nothing is emitted, and you don't produce any waste.

Geothermal power is one of the greenest ways to keep your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Even better? It's also one of the most cost-effective sources of energy!

Standing in line at the hardware store, I was delighted to look up and see a new brand of eco-friendly kitchen scrubber-sponge-things made from loofah: RubBits from Loofah-Art.

I like that they're biodegradeable. I like that they are compostable, and non-toxic. I like that they are made from natural materials, and the packaging is printed on post-consumer recycled paper.

But most of all, I like that they are pretty! At last! Bright colors are challenging the eco-supremacy of the cardboard brown and sage green!

While you're busy making New Year's resolutions for 2010, don't forget the one you made just before your guests started arriving at last year's shindig: Throw a greener New Year's party in 2009. Believe it or not, there's still time to check this one last resolution off your list.

Taking your New Year's Eve gathering to a greener level is easier than you think, especially if last year's party was as gluttonous as most NYE parties tend to be. The mixture of post-Christmas procrastination, alcohol and general euphoria isn't known to inspire thoughtful planning or execution.

Still, the keys to a smaller New Year's print can be summed up in three adjectives: local, reusable, and bikeable/walkable. OK, that last one's kind of two adjectives, but you get the point.

You may have heard murmurings about the Obama administration's "Cash for Caulkers" proposal, designed to motivate Americans to make those costly home energy-efficiency upgrades through tax rebates. Well, don't judge it solely on the basis of its dorky name -- which unwisely reminds us of another controversial and supposedly eco-friendly stimulus program.

Instead, let's take a look at the facts about the $23B incentives program, laid out by the President at a Home Depot in Northern Virginia (where else?) last week. For starters, the official title of the program is Homestar, which reminds us of a quirky cartoon, not a bloated bailout package for a poorly run industry. See, it's getting better already.

IMO, for this program to be truly successful from an environmental perspective, it needs to lead directly to energy savings that wouldn't otherwise have been realized (unlike Cash for Clunkers). That's the tricky part.

The countdown to Christmas is winding down. Now you have a mountain of vegan chocolate, WWF t-shirts and a Soda Stream sitting on your dining room table, waiting to be wrapped.

Don't blow your eco-friendly gift status now!

With a little creativity, you can make your gift even more special, and green. Try one of these wrapping ideas:

For the Eco-foodie in your life, there are plentiful and fun green holiday gifts available, in a range of prices.

A nifty item for people who love sparkling water or soda, but hate the plastic bottles, is the Soda Stream. You take regular water, add the flavoring of your choice -- or none -- and push a button. The Soda Stream gives the liquid a quick shot from the carbonator, and you've got bubbles!

Of course the best water comes from the tap ... and just to make sure, get a Brita pitcher or faucet attachment. Does your gift recipient already have one? Replacement filters make a great stocking stuffer!

Sweater and blanket season is here with a vengeance! But keeping warm doesn't have to mean rushing out to buy virgin wool or shelling out the cash for organic cashmere.

There is a greener, cheaper, more sustainable choice: recycled yarn!

Think about it! All those unfortunately patterned Christmas sweaters, the endless supply of afghans knitted by grandmas with too much time on their hands -- no one uses those items, but someone should something with them, right?

The holiday season is just weeks away, the days are getting shorter, and the weather is getting chilly. Between wanting to save some money and trying to keep our carbon footprints in check, many of us are thinking about investing in Snuggies instead of turning up the thermostat -- blankets with arms in the name of energy-efficiency!

Keeping the thermostat low is a good place to start, and there are lots of other easy things you can do to make your home as energy-efficient as possible. Even if you've seen many of these steps, sent out by Plastics Make it Possible, it's is the perfect time for a refresher -- before the truly cold weather sets in, and all of your time gets eaten up with holiday projects.

Take a moment to look around and run through this quick list to see what DIY improvements you can make for a more energy-efficient winter!

University of Kentucky Uses Innovative Recycled Plastic Decking at the Solar Decathlon from Plastics Make it Possible on Vimeo.

Last month students from around the world gathered on the National Mall in Washington D.C. to compete in the Solar Decathlon, hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Twenty teams designed, built and operated solar-powered homes, which were then opened to the public, both to get votes, and to educate people about the latest uses of energy-efficient building practices and materials.

The first, and hardest, part of the competition actually happens before they get to D.C., when the teams design their structures, raise money to build them, and supervise contractors to actually raise them. Then they take them apart -- very carefully! -- and transport them to the National Mall, where they are reassembled on site. The final phase includes the judging, where they are evaluated on 10 different areas:

So what's your Halloween costume this year? Oh, you don't have one? That's okay, we have some eco-friendly and oh-so-clever ideas for you!

Being sustainable doesn't mean you have to wear an unimaginative, boring, hemp bag. Just the opposite, unless you're going as a Wet Blanket Environmentalist.

Get out your creativity, roll up your sleeves, and prepare ready to wow your friends and neighbors with these environmentally smart Halloween costumes.