Five months after the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, we’re finally at a point where it’s a little bit easier to find personal protective equipment (PPE) like disposable masks and gloves in stock. Thank goodness for that! But while the acquisition of these goods is no longer a huge problem, have you ever considered how you should dispose of them? Here’s everything you need to know about getting rid of your PPE.

No! PPE cannot be recycled. “Many types of PPE are flimsy or flexible in design—think gloves and masks—and can clog sorting equipment at the recycling center, making it difficult to sort the right stuff,” says Jeremy Walters, sustainability ambassador and head of community relations for recycling and waste company Republic Services. “The other concern with used PPE is for the health and welfare of workers at the recycling centers that are sorting through the recyclables.”

In fact, prior to the pandemic, the Bureau of Labor Statistics deemed recycling and waste collection the fifth most dangerous career in the United States, based on the annual number of fatal incidents. Now with the pandemic, workers in the field are more exposed to risks than ever.

Here’s exactly what PPE and associated materials cannot be recycled:

• Disposable masks
• Gloves
• Disinfecting wipes
• Paper towels, napkins, and tissues
• Medical equipment and supplies

If you’re not thrilled about the ecological impact of single-use PPE, consider buying reusable options, which are far more sustainable. With those items, you’ll want to be sure you are sanitizing them regularly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest you wash your reusable mask after every use.

While PPE itself can’t be recycled, there’s plenty else that can and should be. “Hand sanitizer, liquid disinfectants, disinfectant wipes, and other cleaning or sanitizing products often come in packaging that is great for recycling,” says Walters. “Rigid plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs are excellent candidates. Just be sure your plastic containers are empty, clean, and dry before tossing them in your recycling bin.”

In general, clean plastic, glass, metal, and paper goods can be recycled, but you should check with your city or town to learn about its specific protocols for recycling, as rules do vary by location. “Right now, there is a critical need for raw materials in the manufacturing supply chain, especially paper and cardboard,” Environmental Protection Agency administrator Andrew Wheeler said in a statement. “Business closures and limited operations means less recycled material for American manufactures, and we all must do our part to recycle more and recycle right to fill this immediate need.”

There’s nothing quite like watching a movie outside in your own backyard. Whether you miss going to the movie theater or you’re feeling nostalgic for retro drive-ins, you’ll love taking family movie night outside as the weather gets warmer. And DIY backyard movie theaters are actually pretty easy to set up yourself. You can do the entire thing in about 30 minutes if you have the right equipment (though keep in mind that a permanent installation will require a bit more work). “All you need is a portable projector to turn your own backyard into an outdoor cinema—any backdrop works in the dark… a kid’s tent, hanging a sheet, the wall, or even the ceiling of an overhang, says style and parenting influencer Alicia Lund. Ahead, learn how to ready your yard for movie night in just a few simple steps and watch Lund transform her own backyard into a magical outdoor theater to see how it’s done.

What You’ll Need

Sheet or portable screen

A screen will inherently have less wrinkles in it than a sheet, which is optimal for clear movie-watching. But if you do use a sheet, make sure you pull it super taut when you secure it to either a stand or a vertical flat surface.

Projector

Cinemood 360

amazon.com

$499.95

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You can buy projectors and screens as a pair for what is supposedly optimal pixel quality, but you only really need to do that for a permanent installation or more serious viewing. Otherwise, you just need a good, reliable projector that you can also use indoors. The one Lund used in this set-up is the Cinemood 360, which is great for families since it has built-in access to interactive and educational content for kids (along with all the go-to streaming services, too.)

Sound System

Whether you already have an outdoor speaker system set up or you just want to wing it with a portable bluetooth audio, make sure the speakers are loud enough to compete with the outdoor elements like wind.

How to Set It Up

Pick a Location

You could set up a portable screen or sheet in the front or backyard with a stand (many come with them) or against the exterior wall of the home. If you don’t have any yard space, try it in the driveway against your garage door, or strung up between two trees. You could also watch from the pool or hot tub if you have one.

Prep the Sound System

If you don’t already have an outdoor space equipped with speakers, invest in a set of portable speakers that fill the entire area with sound. Harman Kardon has some excellent options.

Get Ready to Stream

You’ll also want to prop your projector up on a little side table or stool if it doesn’t come with a stand. In order to actually watch a movie, you could connect your projector to your Apple TV or hook it up to a Fire Stick, an Amazon Alexa-equipped remote and media streamer.

Be a Good Neighbor

If you live in a super populated area, make sure you aren’t blasting Silence of the Lambs into the wee hours of the morning. And of course, practice crowd control.

Give It a Stylish Spin

Style your outdoor theater with Pendleton blankets and piles of outdoor cushions to give it a retro camp look and feel. Bring out the wine chillers and snacks and hurricane candles for a romantic ambiance. Hanging string lights from a pagoda or trees is also a good call. Just bring any non-waterproof decor inside at the end of the movie, in case it rains.

Did you know that the United States is the global leader in food waste? According to the RTS (Recycle Track Systems, an organization aimed at reducing waste) Food Waste In America 2020 Statistics and Facts report, the average American family of four throws out about $1,600 worth of produce per year. That’s equivalent to 219 lbs per person. And that’s just food waste—according to EPA, in 2017, plastic waste was 35.4 million tons in the United States, which results in an estimated 234lb of plastic waste per person per year.

So how do we tackle this? Households aren’t the only contributors to the problem, of course—restaurants and commercial businesses are also major contributors—but making a change at home is an easy way to start. Changing a few household habits will not only help the environment but also can save you money in the end. Start with reducing waste in your kitchen with these easy steps.

Regrow your vegetables

The next time you think about disposing of your vegetable scraps, think again: Most fruit and vegetables can be regrown. It’s easier than you think and will save you money on your grocery bill. Get the family involved and turn it into a learning experience or fun experiment. All you need are scraps and varying sized, bowls, jars, and pots (take inspiration from these indoor herb gardens). While not all scraps can be regrown—if they can’t, compost them!—here are a few staple vegetables to consider growing in your home.

Scallions

Scallions are one of the easiest vegetables to regrow. Cut an inch away from the root and place them upright in a glass of water. Be sure to leave it in a place with adequate sunlight. Change the water once a week until green shoots emerge. Transfer to soil when shoots are four inches long. Now you have an endless supply of scallions, perfect for use as a garnish or in soups. The same method can be used for leeks.

Celery

Celery is another easy vegetable to regrow. Simply cut two inches off the root end of a bunch of celery and place it in a shallow glass bowl with enough water to submerge an inch of the root. Next, watch it grow, after two or three days small leaves will appear, followed by stalks. Transfer to the soil once it starts to brown.

Onions

To regrow an onion, place the bottom of the onion in soil and let the roots grow. Once roots have grown, remove the old onion bottom and watch a new onion grow.

Do away with plastic containers

Most plastic containers are recyclable, but an alternative to storing food is with food-grade silicone containers. Unlike rigid plastic, silicone doesn’t crack, dry out, or rot over time—meaning you won’t have to replace it as often. Plus, it’s lightweight, saves space, and is made from an abundant natural resource. ZipTop makes freezer, dishwasher, and microwave safe silicone containers. Their containers are made from 100% Platinum Silicone, the purest Food Grade Silicone available. No need to rummage for lids, the containers stand up, stay open, and zip shut, making it a sustainable alternative to plastic. It’s also lightweight, ideal for taking lunch, snacks, and more on the go.