Do Just One Thing

Did you know that cardboard and paperboard boxes are the No. 1 component of solid waste generated by households, according to the Environmental Protection Agency? Even more staggering, that waste increases by 25% during the holiday season (think of all those gifts!). While cardboard and paperboard are recyclable, it’s essential to flatten them when putting them out for recycling. When left intact, boxes take up extra room, leading to more pickups, more wasted fuel and higher costs.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

With millions of pounds of food wasted every year due to spoilage or improper storage, we need all the tricks and tips we can get to help us do our part to throw away less. The website SaveTheFood.com is loaded with useful tips that cover everything from the proper way to store beans, nuts and proteins to what fruits and vegetables can be stored in the fridge, in the freezer or not at all! One great example: Don’t wash your veggies until you’re ready to use them. Any excess moisture on veggies speeds up the decomposition process.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

The more you can do to help bring dinner to the table more quickly, the better. The next time you’re boiling water for pasta, consider placing a metal steamer basket on top of the pot and then placing the pot’s lid on top of that. This action allows you to do double duty: You can cook the pasta and steam veggies or a protein like fish at the same time. Not only will this save time, but you’ll save energy, too. And remember, when the pasta water cools down, you can give your outdoor plants a healthy treat by feeding it to them.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION