Instead of just tossing cans and bottles in the trash or recycling, start a separate bin where you collect items you can redeem for a deposit. Tell everyone in your household about this new system, so they don’t continue tossing away your opportunity to make money. This works especially well if you have a lot of people in your household who drink processed beverages. Don’t go rifling through other people’s trash without permission, because many states have laws against this. However, you can ask people to set aside cans and bottles for you. Many people don’t want to go to the bother of going to a recycling center themselves and will be happy to have you take their trash away.  As an incentive to get people to set aside their bottles and cans for you, you can offer them a cut of the profit you make. Make sure to get permission from your employer before taking away cans from the breakroom. Empty cans and bottles are usually required to be reasonably clean and free of contaminants. If and when required and such a policy is allowed by state law, it is possible to straighten bent cans by inserting a wooden or metal rod into the can and pushing out against the sides of the can if required. (Don't push hard enough to tear the can's sides, however.) Plastic bottles can be straightened in the same fashion or by blowing air into them. In Oregon, it is unlawful for recycling facility to refuse redemption for the simple reason they're "crushed", however it is legal for them to refuse containers that are crushed in such a way that they've already been redeemed in a redemption machine and stolen from a facility  It makes sense to crush 2 liter bottles for the reason of space constraint if your local law or facility allows crushed bottles. Recycling centers can refuse materials if conditions or contamination level do not meet the requirements.

Summary: Start by collecting items in your own home. Collect cans and bottles from friends or neighbors or at work. Present containers in conditions set by the local law or recycling facility.


Sweat itself does not smell; body odor is caused when bacteria on your skin breaks your sweat down into acids.  While bacteria are a normal part of your body's make-up, you can eliminate excess bacteria — and, most importantly, the acids they produce — by washing daily.  Pay special attention to cleansing hairy areas of the body.  Humans have two types of sweat glands.  Eccrine glands are spread across your skin and regulate your body temperature by cooling your skin with sweat when you get hot.  The sweat produced by this gland is typically less smelly.  Apocrine glands, on the other hand, are concentrated in hairy areas of your body such as armpits and your genital region.  The sweat from these glands contains high levels of protein.  Your skin bacteria love protein, so this type of sweat quickly becomes very stinky!  Use antibacterial soap on your armpits.  Again, some bacteria are good — but too many can pose a problem, especially in odor-prone areas like your armpits. Hair traps sweat and odor, providing ideal conditions for smell-producing bacteria to multiply. At minimum, you should change into fresh clothes daily.  Changing more than once a day is a good idea if you perform physical labor that causes you to sweat or if you exercise. Avoid tight, restrictive clothing and man-made fibers such as nylon.  These types of clothing restrict the ability of your skin to "breathe," increasing your volume of sweat. Socks should be thick, soft, and made of natural fibers, or sports socks designed to absorb moisture.  Shoes should be made of leather, canvas, or mesh rather than synthetic materials.  Change your socks at least twice a day if you are prone to sweaty feet. Carry a spare pair of socks with you so you can change them whenever you need to. Use an antiperspirant made for feet to reduce sweating. Purchase a few pairs of shoes so you can let each pair dry out after wearing them. Sprinkle a shoe powder in them to absorb odors after each use and thoroughly clean them on a regular basis. Some products work to mask smells, while others work to eliminate the root cause of sweat.  Deodorant uses perfume to mask the smell of sweat without eliminating the sweat itself. Antiperspirant reduces the amount of sweat the body produces.  The active ingredient in antiperspirant is usually aluminum chloride, which blocks your glands from producing sweat. Use a paper towel to apply it so you don't get bacteria on the roller. If regular antiperspirant fails to keep you from sweating, consult your doctor about special formulations containing extra aluminum chloride.  These antiperspirants are usually applied overnight and washed off in the morning.  They operate by using the hours you are sleeping (you sweat less while you sleep) to seep into sweat glands and block the production of sweat. While perfumes are no substitute for good hygiene, they replace problematic smells with an appealing scent.  Experiment to find a fragrance that interacts well with your body chemistry. Only spray one to two sprays total. Too much fragrance can overwhelm people and leave a bad impression. Keep your chosen perfume or body spray handy to refresh your scent during the day. Be aware of any regulations regarding scents in your workplace or school.  Some people are very sensitive to artificial fragrances, and you may not be permitted to wear them in certain settings. Moisture-reactive perfume is not yet on the market, but it may prove a useful tool in the future.  Scientists in Ireland have learned how to bond fragrance to ionic liquids that react to water — including the water in sweat.  The more someone wearing such a substance sweats, the stronger the scent becomes.

Summary: Shower regularly. Shave your armpits. Change your clothing regularly. Wear clothing made from natural fibers. Pay special attention to your socks and shoes. Use products that interact with the human body to prevent odors. Use a perfume or body spray.


Take a quick trip down to your local supermarket or pharmacy and pick up a bottle of rubbing alcohol, also known as isopropyl alcohol. Only buy alcohol that is pure and unscented; you never know how foreign chemicals will react with the materials your earbuds are made from. Rubbing alcohol is a cheap, effective way to gently clean and disinfect without making a mess or damaging your belongings.  You can purchase a bottle of rubbing alcohol for just a couple dollars or pounds and it will last you for many, many cleanings (of your earbuds or other objects). Isopropyl alcohol has antibacterial properties, making it ideal for sanitizing objects that have been inserted into the ears or other orifices where germs may congregate. Place one end of a cotton swab into the alcohol and let it absorb. Tap or press the cotton swab against the side of the bottle to remove any extra alcohol saturating the tip. You only need a light coating of alcohol to clean something as small and delicate as a pair of earbuds. The tip of the cotton swab should be almost dry.  Wet the cotton swab with more alcohol as needed, but don't use too much. It's not a good idea to directly expose your electronics to moisture of any kind. You might also think about using an alcohol swab if you happen to have one on hand, although even these can be oversaturated and may need to be wrung out beforehand. It's preferable to use a cotton swab because you can control exactly how much liquid goes on it. Wipe the outer plastic area of the earbuds with the alcohol-dipped cotton swab. The isopropyl alcohol will break down grime that has dried and stuck on, as well as clear away traces of oil and perspiration left behind by your skin. Once again, clean the ear openings very carefully, or avoid them altogether if there is no visible debris built up inside. Use one end of the cotton swab for each earbud to ensure that you're cleaning with a fresh surface. Give the earbuds a pat down with a clean, dry towel. The rest of the alcohol should quickly evaporate and dry on its own. Your earbuds should now be sparkling clean and rid of bacteria and inner ear gunk. Best of all, wiping your earbuds down with alcohol is safe and easy enough to be repeated as often as needed. Happy listening! This is the method that most professional technicians recommend for cleaning heavily-used earbuds.
Summary: Buy a bottle of rubbing alcohol. Dip a cotton swab into the alcohol. Clean around the earbuds. Pat the earbuds with a clean towel.