Fresh flower arrangements are a popular gift for all sorts of occasions. And if you're someone who has been lucky enough to receive such gifts, the kitchen cabinet under your sink may be full of old vases you've collected and stashed away over the years. The next time you order flowers for someone, opt to send them without a vase. Most people have a container they can use to hold the flowers, and you’ll be sparing them the wasteful dilemma of what to do when the flowers fade but the vase stays.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Summertime means cold, delicious popsicles. But not only are store-bought popsicles packaged in disposable boxes and wrappers with wooden sticks, they are also energy hogs, since they need to be frozen from the time they are produced and leave the factory to their time in the supermarket. That's a lot of bone-chilling, energy-hogging storage and transport! You can make your own popsicles at home by investing in reusable ice-pop molds; these allow you to custom-make your flavors, and they are dishwasher safe, so you can reuse them again and again.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

After you unpack your belongings in your new home, bundle up all of your packing supplies, like cardboard boxes, leftover tape and bubble wrap. Then ask a local real estate agent if they have any clients who are about to move. They can offer your items for free to their clients, who will then reuse them for their move. It’s a simple way to help another family and to make sure your packing supplies stay out of the landfill.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION