Do you have a drawer full of mustard, ketchup, lemon juice or mayo condiment packets and you’re not sure what to do with them? Toss a few into the freezer and let them get ice-cold. The next time you need a small cold compress to soothe an insect bite or bee sting, or just to de-puff the bags under your eyes, use one of the frozen packets. They can be used and frozen again and again as your quick homemade first-aid remedy.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Greasy pizza boxes and dirty glass jars are contaminated recyclables that can ruin an entire load of usable material, and they should never be thrown into your recycle bin. These items actually do more than potentially send good, clean recyclables to the landfill; they cost the industry money. It’s believed the contamination of recyclable materials costs the industry just under a billion dollars per year. These costs could potentially result in fewer places to take our recyclables. To help, make sure you only put clean recyclables into your bin. And the rule really is true: When in doubt, toss it out.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

No room to compost? Even if you have a very small yard, you can still help divert organic matter from the landfill. Just put small pieces of vegetable and fruit peels and skins into a blender and puree with water until it becomes a liquid, slushy mixture. Then dig a small hole in the yard (or even a large potted plant) and pour the nutrient-dense mixture into the hole. Cover with soil, and the mixture will deliver all the benefits of compost to plants -- without attracting pests.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION