ArcaMax

You might wonder if the free weights that are gathering dust in your basement gym are recyclable. Yes, hand weights are recyclable. Most free weights are made entirely from iron, often with steel handles covered in rubber. These minimal materials make them ideal for recycling and can get you around 50 cents per pound at the scrap metal recycling...Read more

Freezing fruits and vegetables is an easy to way to extend their life and avoid food waste. But there are some fruits and veggies you should never freeze. Celery, for example, can turn limp and take on an obnoxious odor. Cucumbers also change from crunchy and fresh to limp and stale when frozen; consider pickling them instead. And potatoes are a...Read more

Wonder if your faucets at home are slowly leaking water when you’re away? One of the simplest ways to check is to leave a coffee cup under the faucet when you’re gone. When you get home, you can see how much water has dripped into the cup. No water, no leak! Why a cup? Because you can use that measurement and the amount of time it took to ...Read more

While plastic containers are perfect for recycling, containers that formerly held oil or other flammable liquids are not welcome at recycling centers. That's because those substances pose special problems during the recycling process, including creating flash points and changing the chemical composition of plastics. Containers that once held ...Read more

When you buy new skin care, makeup or other beauty products at stores, you’ll often receive free samples or even free full-size products as part of a loyalty club. If you have a stash of unused beauty products at home, why not donate them to help people in need? The nonprofit Project Beauty Share connects donated new products to people who ...Read more

Plants need light for photosynthesis, and to thrive and be healthy over time. You might think placing a plant near a lamp is just as good as placing it near a sunny window, but the reality is sunlight has red and blue spectra light, which is what plants need most to grow. Traditional light bulbs lack the spectra light plants need, and while “...Read more

Gold prices are at an all-time high, and many are turning their scrap gold into cold, hard cash. But if you think pure gold can only come from broken jewelry or coins, think again: You might have some scrap gold in unexpected places. One unusual place is old dentures! They contain scrap gold and silver inside that can easily be salvaged and ...Read more

New recycling technologies now allow you to leave plastic caps on bottles when recycling. The sorting machinery can now separate the caps from the bottles. Just give the bottle a quick rinse before reattaching the cap. By leaving caps on, you help prevent small pieces from becoming litter, and the cap plastic itself is valuable to recyclers, ...Read more

While some popular houseplants thrive indoors, they should never be transplanted outdoors, where they can become invasive. The snake plant, for example, spreads rapidly through underground shoots and can crowd out native species. Similarly, the rubber plant grows aggressively outside and can overwhelm surrounding vegetation. These plants are ...Read more