Do Just One Thing

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 motor oil, lighter fluid or pesticides should not be recycled, even if they have a recycling symbol. Instead, they should go in the trash or be reused at your home for a purpose that won’t be affected by the residue.

*** Clothing and household items are commonly accepted at charity stores like Goodwill, but these organizations will also happily accept items that they need to run the shop. You can help your local Goodwill by donating hangers, sturdy shopping bags (both disposable and reusable), bubble wrap and leftover office supplies. They’ll use them to display items, package up purchases for customers and to maintain the store, which means the Goodwill spends less on supplies and more money can go to its charitable efforts.

*** Charcoal from the backyard grill can have a myriad of detoxifying uses around the house.

When arranging flowers, a few briquettes in the bottom of the vase can help keep the water fresh and clean. Place a few briquettes in an old sock and tie a knot; tuck it into cabinets or drawers to help deodorize them. And lay a few pieces on top of a household orchid plant to help it thrive; the flowers love the alkalinity of the charcoal.

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Your dog may love taking a ride in the car with you, but the American Humane Society says there are some rules to make sure they’re safe and sound.

First, never let a dog ride in the back of a pickup truck; the organization estimates nearly 100,000 dogs die each year in accidents involving riding in truck beds. Leashing your pet in the truck bed can be deadly; many dogs accidentally strangle themselves this way.

And as much as they may love it, try to limit the amount of time your dog sticks its head out of the window. The nonprofit says “wind can seriously irritate mucous membranes and blow pieces of grit into their eyes.”

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It’s something every pet owner dreads, but if your companion animal ever goes missing, have an action plan in place.

The ASPCA has created a mobile app that has everything you need to help you recover your pet. It lets you store your pet’s health records, create a digital flyer that can be shared on social media, and get step-by-step instructions on how you can best search for, locate and recover your animal.

The app is free and easily downloadable on your smartphone.