Lots of great stuff this week on energy use, efficiency, and generation, as well as recycling questions answered and an eco-friendly local store.

• Helping the Hartfords and Finding a Path to More Energy Efficient Homes – Energy Circle. The original New York Times article was focused on the high price of oil, but this response to it was all about efficiency. It’s great to hear that these people have been helped.
• Maine company ready to install tidal power unit – Boston Globe. Who would have thought there was all this good stuff going on in Maine?
• Cleaner Fuels, Cleaner Cars – New York Times. The White House should review the EPA’s recommendation for reducing sulfur in gas.
• Solar Thermal Around Boston – Green Lifestyle Consulting. It’s funny how much goes on around the city that you don’t see.
• Ask Umbra: When should an old refrigerator be replaced? – Grist. I’ve read before that 10 years is the magic number, but Energy Star recommends replacing anything manufactured before 1993.
• The Pizza Box Recycling Mystery – RecycleBank. Cambridge says they’ll now take pizza boxes, but a lot of towns don’t. (Thanks, Laurie!)
• Ask Umbra: Are coffee cups recyclable? – Grist.  Another common recycling question.
• Hatched Owner Liz Vittori Koch on Eco-Friendly Clothes and Toys – JP Patch. It seems like a lot of people start to think organic when they have kids.

That’s all for this week. As always, if you come across anything interesting, send it along.