Many of us have a junk drawer full of old USB flash drives that we're not sure what to do with. They are reusable, so you can wipe them clean and use them at home or to share files with others. But if you have a lot, you can recycle them and do something good, too. The website RecycleUSB.com accepts working USB flash drives and erases them, then loads them with educational tools for kids 5 to 12 years of age. Working in tandem with Sugar Labs, these flash drives can be used on any computer by kids all over the world, including those who need educational tools the most.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

One way to help extend the life of food is to freeze perishables and leftovers so they can be defrosted later to be enjoyed. But how do you know if your freezer is actually cold enough to preserve food? Do the ice cream test: If a container of ice cream is soft when you take it out of the freezer, your freezer is too warm. Turn down the temperature until your ice cream is solid, and you'll know everything else is at the optimum temperature to stay preserved.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Traditional kitchen sponges are notorious for not lasting very long; they're also made from nonrenewable resources like plastic and other synthetic materials. They aren't recyclable, and over time, as they are used to wash dishes, they break down and shed microplastics into the water. When choosing kitchen cleaning aids, opt for greener alternatives like cotton scrubbing cloths and natural coconut coir scrubbers. They get the job done without any plastic waste.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION