If you must use disposable paper plates, go with the most boring, uncoated, unprinted varieties. Party plates that come in bright colors with shiny coatings are non-compostable and nonrecyclable, and they can be expensive to boot. Generic white paper plates or durable "Classic White" Chinet plates get the job done and can be safely tossed into the compost bin at home to break down and become beneficial mulch.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

It's always a good idea to have flashlights handy in the home in case of a power outage. But did you know it's an even better idea to store your flashlight without the batteries inside? Over time, batteries left inside a flashlight can wear down, and they can corrode and destroy the metal contacts. Too much corrosion can lead to a flashlight that simply does not work. Instead, leave the batteries in their original packaging next to the flashlight, and when the time comes that you need it, just pop them in.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Have you heard of "wish-cycling"? It's when someone is so passionate about recycling they toss items into the recycling bin "wishing" it was recyclable and hoping someone at the recycling facility can figure out if it can be recycled. While it's nice to have an optimistic viewpoint on recycling, this is actually more like downcycling. When questionable recyclables get tossed into the bin, it costs time and money for these items to be sorted out and tossed away. When in doubt, toss it out.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION