home improvement
Simple Ways to Make At-Home Recycling More Effective
To create a more eco-friendly household, consider these practical tips to help you reduce waste, stay organized and make at-home recycling part of your everyday routine.
Last Updated on May 12, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Simple Ways to Make At-Home Recycling More Effective
(Feature Impact) Recycling is a simple way households can reduce waste and help protect natural resources. While many communities offer curbside recycling programs, some people still wonder if they’re doing it correctly or if they’re missing opportunities to recycle more.
To create a more eco-friendly household, consider these practical tips to help you reduce waste, stay organized and make recycling part of your everyday routine.
Know What Your Local Program Accepts
Recycling rules vary depending on your city or waste management provider. Most curbside programs include items like cardboard, paper, aluminum cans and plastics, but others – such as glass – may require drop-off recycling. Review your community guidelines so recyclables don’t accidentally end up in the regular trash.
Create a Simple Sorting System
Set up clearly labeled bins – separated for paper, plastics and metals – in a high-traffic area like the kitchen, garage or laundry room.
Rinse Before You Recycle
Food residue can contaminate other recyclables and may cause entire batches of materials to be rejected during the recycling process. Quickly rinsing yogurt cups, jars or soup cans of leftover residue helps keep recycling streams clean and more likely to be processed properly.
Break Down Boxes
Cardboard boxes are among the most commonly recycled household materials. Flattening boxes before placing them in the recycling bin saves space and allows collection trucks to hold more.
Compost Food Scraps
Not everything belongs in the recycling bin, particularly food waste. Composting fruit peels, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and eggshells is an easy way to reduce the amount of trash your household produces. Finished compost can be used in gardens, flower beds or houseplants, turning kitchen waste into a valuable resource.
Find more ideas for making recycling a natural part of your household routine at eLivingtoday.com.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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Welcome to the Consumer Corner section of STM Daily News, your ultimate destination for savvy shopping and informed decision-making! Dive into a treasure trove of insights and reviews covering everything from the hottest toys that spark joy in your little ones to the latest electronic gadgets that simplify your life. Explore our comprehensive guides on stylish home furnishings, discover smart tips for buying a home or enhancing your living space with creative improvement ideas, and get the lowdown on the best cars through our detailed auto reviews. Whether you’re making a major purchase or simply seeking inspiration, the Consumer Corner is here to empower you every step of the way—unlock the keys to becoming a smarter consumer today!
home improvement
Sleep Better This Summer with Breathable Bedding
Breathable Bedding: If warm summer temperatures have you tossing and turning at night, you aren’t alone. Heat is a common culprit behind seasonal insomnia and can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. When the body struggles to cool down properly, it may lead to restlessness, night sweats, and disrupted sleep patterns.
Sleep Better This Summer with Breathable Bedding
(Feature Impact) If warm summer temperatures have you tossing and turning at night, you aren’t alone. Heat is a common culprit behind seasonal insomnia and can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. When the body struggles to cool down properly, it may lead to restlessness, night sweats, and disrupted sleep patterns.
Watch this video to learn more
Before you reach for the thermostat, though, take some time to examine your bedroom setup. Switching to breathable bedding, like Bedsure PureWoven Bamboo Sheets, can help your body regulate its temperature better overnight. Made with bamboo-derived fibers, the sets include sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers, and comforters designed to keep you cool and comfortable while you sleep. The bamboo viscose material is moisture-wicking and smooth, and you can choose from a variety of colors to match your decor.
In addition to choosing bedding made with soft, breathable materials like viscose derived bamboo sheets bamboo, try using fans to promote better airflow in your bedroom. You can also improve your overall sleep quality by winding down with soft, dim lighting as you prepare for bed, and using blackout curtains to keep your space dark overnight.
Making simple swaps in your sleep environment can help you stay well-rested throughout the summer. Learn more at bedsurehome.com or search “Bedsure PureWoven Bamboo Sheets” on Amazon.
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Consumer Corner
Lowe’s Is Calling on Creators to Help Design—and Launch—New Products
Lowe’s announced Creator: Into the Blue, a new program letting creators pitch product ideas and work with Lowe’s teams to develop and potentially launch items in retail. Applications are open through Sept. 1, 2026.
Lowe’s is taking its creator strategy beyond sponsored posts and curated storefronts. On June 23, 2026, the home improvement retailer announced Lowe’s Creator: Into the Blue, a new program that invites creators to pitch product ideas and, if selected, work with Lowe’s teams to develop and potentially bring those products to retail shelves.
The announcement arrives as the Lowe’s Creator Network hits its one-year milestone—an initiative Lowe’s launched in 2025 and billed as the first creator network in the home improvement industry. Now, Lowe’s says it’s expanding the pathway for creators: from making content about products to creating products themselves.
From content to creation: what “Creator: Into the Blue” is
Lowe’s Creator: Into the Blue is designed as a forum for creators—both current members of the Lowe’s Creator Network and newcomers—to submit innovative product concepts for consideration. Selected creators could receive support from Lowe’s internal teams across product development, product design, sourcing, and merchandising, with the goal of turning audience-inspired ideas into real-world items that can scale.
In other words: creators aren’t just being asked to promote what already exists. They’re being invited to help shape what comes next.
How this fits into Lowe’s bigger strategy
Lowe’s positioned the new program as a natural next step that builds on two existing pillars:
- Lowe’s Creator Network (launched 2025): A program connecting creators with Lowe’s to share DIY projects, home improvement inspiration, and product recommendations. It also includes personalized Lowes.com storefronts so creators can curate product selections for their audiences.
- Lowe’s Into the Blue (launched 2022): A separate initiative focused on helping entrepreneurs bring innovative products to Lowe’s customers.
Now, Lowe’s is essentially merging the momentum of both worlds—creator-led influence and entrepreneur-led product innovation—into a single on-ramp for creators who want to build businesses through product development.
MrBeast is the proof-of-concept
Lowe’s also pointed to its recent collaboration with global creator MrBeast as an example of how creator partnerships can evolve beyond content and curation. The collaboration included a collectible toy kitdeveloped with Lowe’s—showing how a creator’s audience and brand can translate into physical products that connect with customers in new ways.
That collaboration is now being used as a signal: if a creator with a massive following can co-create a product with Lowe’s, the company wants to open similar opportunities to creators of all sizes.
What creators can submit
According to Lowe’s, creators can submit a range of ideas, including:
- Existing products seeking distribution, scale, and retail exposure
- Product ideas that need development and sourcing support
- Collaborations tied to an existing Lowe’s product line
The message is clear: you don’t have to show up with a fully manufactured item. You can show up with a concept—especially one shaped by what your audience keeps asking for.
Application window and where to apply
Applications are open now through Sept. 1, 2026 at Lowes.com/CreateWithLowes. Lowe’s will review submissions after the application period and announce selected creators at a later date.
Creators interested in applying should also review the full terms and conditions on the application page.
Why this matters for the creator economy—and retail
Creator-led product lines aren’t new, but Lowe’s move is notable because it’s coming from a major home improvement retailer with deep sourcing and distribution infrastructure. If executed well, Creator: Into the Blue could become a meaningful bridge between:
- Audience-driven product demand (what communities want)
- Retail-grade execution (design, sourcing, merchandising)
- Shelf-level distribution (scale and visibility)
For creators, it’s another sign that the creator economy is maturing: the next phase isn’t only about views and engagement—it’s about IP, product development, and scalable revenue.
The bottom line
With Lowe’s Creator: Into the Blue, the company is betting that creators can do more than inspire projects—they can help design the tools, kits, and products people use to complete them. And for creators looking to turn their audience into a business, Lowe’s is offering a new route: pitch an idea, build it with support, and potentially launch it at retail scale.
For more details and application terms, visit Lowes.com/CreateWithLowes.
Related Links
- Apply / program page: https://www.lowes.com/createwithlowes
- Lowe’s main site (company + newsroom gateway): https://www.lowes.com/
- Lowe’s corporate site (investor/corporate info): https://www.lowes.com/corporate
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Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday with Summer Deals, Savings and Prizes
(Feature Impact) America’s 250th birthday calls for celebration, and this summer, it goes well beyond backyard barbecues and poolside parties.
Watch this video to learn more
To help mark the milestone, Circle K is rolling out refreshing deals, new merch and exciting prizes as America’s Party Stop – the one-stop destination for summer value and fun. The free Inner Circle rewards program is your ticket to the party – join by downloading the Circle K app and creating an account.
Rewards members can enjoy any size Polar Pop for just 25 cents on July 1 at participating locations. Fans can also grab limited-edition merchandise like hats and shirts to show off their love for the iconic drink. From July 1-Sept. 1, anyone can play the new Scratch & Win game daily in the app for instant prizes with members unlocking exclusive eligibility for weekly cash prizes.
The fun extends beyond the store, too. Throughout July, you can support the American Red Cross by rounding up in-store purchases to help disaster relief efforts and first responders across the U.S.
Download the app, join the free rewards program and find more ways to celebrate America’s birthday by visiting CircleK.com/America-250.
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