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It has long been considered that the proper way to retire an American flag is to burn it. But since most flags today are made from synthetic fibers -- not natural fibers like they were decades ago -- burning an old flag can release harmful gases into the atmosphere. Instead, check with your local recycling center or textile recycling program to see if they accept nylon or polyester flags. You can also contact a nearby veterans' organization, which may offer a flag-retirement program or know of a responsible way to dispose of it. Before recycling, remove any metal grommets or other hardware, which may need to be recycled separately.
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Are you tired of receiving supermarket and drugstore circulars in the mailbox on a seemingly daily basis? One of the largest distributors of these advertising circulars, Valassis, has made it easy to opt out of the mailings. All you have to do is submit a request on its website; in a few weeks, you will stop receiving the mailings. In order to properly opt out, be sure to look at the address that is printed on the mail pieces and enter it exactly as it appears. For example, if the label says "Dr." instead of "Drive," you'll need to enter it as "Dr." for the opt-out request to work.
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There's a strong reason why you need to break down cardboard boxes when recycling them. Leaving boxes intact takes up valuable space in your bin and collection truck, meaning fewer recyclables can be transported in each load. Large, bulky boxes can also interfere with sorting equipment at recycling facilities, potentially jamming conveyors or blocking other recyclables from moving through the system. Be sure to remove any packing materials, such as plastic bags and foam, before recycling.
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Got some stale bread that's inedible? Instead of tossing it, bury small pieces a few inches deep in your garden soil. Earthworms can help break it down, and as they feed, worms leave behind nutrient-rich castings that can benefit the soil. In roughly two weeks, you may find that much of the bread has disappeared and the soil around it is enriched with worm castings. Just avoid burying bread that's moldy, heavily salted or loaded with oils.
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Be sure to give your dog the right type of haircut for their breed. You may be burning up in the hot summer months, but cutting your dog's fur to help them cool off can do more harm than good. Dogs that have naturally long, thick fur have it for a reason; it helps block harmful UV rays from giving their skin heat and sun burns. In the winter months, letting the coat get too long can cause your dog to overheat, even if the temperatures outside would suggest otherwise.
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Before you start your day, give your showerhead a quick inspection for leaks. Even a slow drip of 10 drops per minute can waste roughly 500 gallons of water over the course of a year -- enough to run about 60 dishwasher loads. Fortunately, this is one household repair you can tackle in minutes. A wrench and some Teflon thread-seal tape typically are all you need to tighten the connection and stop the leak. Search for a quick 60-second tutorial if you need a visual guide, and soon you'll have that old showerhead working like new while saving water and money.
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Give your smartphone a fresh start by powering it down completely for several hours -- especially overnight or during a flight when you won't be using it. A full shutdown stops background processes, clears temporary memory and can help resolve minor glitches with apps, Wi-Fi or cellular connections. It also can reduce unnecessary battery drain while you're away from your phone, helping preserve battery life. If your phone feels sluggish, your battery seems to be disappearing faster than usual or your connection is acting up, this can help.