When you rinse out a steel or tin can for recycling, you might wonder: Is the lid recyclable? The answer is yes, since it is made from the same material as the body of the can. But before you add it to your recyclables, gently touch the sides of the lid and see if the edges are razor-sharp. Even modern-day recycling facilities still do much of their sorting by hand, so sharp edges can injure workers. To prevent this, place the lid inside the can and press the rim together to narrow the opening. This prevents the lid from falling out and still lets you recycle the entire can, lid and all.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Modern-day paper shredders do an excellent job of finely cutting, dicing and obliterating important documents so they are impossible to piece back together. While these shredders are great for protecting your privacy, they are terrible for the environment. When paper is cut into small pieces, the fiber sizes are reduced to the point of being non-recyclable, which is why recyclers do not take shredded paper. When it comes to paper, use the shredder for important docs and leave unimportant recyclable paper unshredded so it can be made into new paper products.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Concentrated cleaning products that you just add water to are gaining popularity for their price and reduced plastic packaging. But when you dilute these concentrated packets using tap water, you can end up with foul-smelling products in just a few days. Tap water usually has hard minerals, which can make cleaning products smell dirty. The solution? Use distilled water from the store, which is free from minerals, or collect rain water, which is naturally mineral-free.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION