| How to Dispose of Styrofoam Posted: 12 May 2019 05:00 PM PDT Styrofoam is the household name for EPS, a kind of plastic. To throw away Styrofoam, remove any recyclable pieces, then break down sheets or blocks into smaller bits you can put in your regular trash can. To recycle, make sure you have plain white Styrofoam marked with the triangular recycling symbol. Contact local agencies to see if they'll take it. If recycling isn't an option, reuse your Styrofoam or repurpose it for creative DIY projects. EditThrowing Away Styrofoam - Remove any recyclable parts attached to the Styrofoam. Carefully look over your foam pieces for paper, cardboard, or glass. Set those pieces aside to recycle later. You can place them in your own recycling bin or take them to your local recycling center.
- Only items uncontaminated by food or medical use are recyclable.
- Contact your local agency if you're unsure what they can process.
- Break the Styrofoam into smaller pieces for ease. If you have large foam blocks or sheets, cut them into smaller cubes. They'll fit easily into a trash bag, and you might be able to fit more in a single bag.
- Throw the Styrofoam into your garbage bin or dumpster. This is what most local agencies not only suggest, but require.[1] Since recycling Styrofoam can be costly, for most, it's not worthwhile to put resources into processing it.[2] Follow guidelines and toss your foam with your everyday trash.
EditRecycling Styrofoam - Confirm you have plain white Styrofoam. In general, the only Styrofoam with a high chance of being recycled is clean, white packaging foam.[3] If your foam is dyed, it probably won't be accepted. You'll also have better luck with foam blocks than packing peanuts.
- Look for the triangular recycling symbol on your Styrofoam. Typically, recyclable plain white Styrofoam is marked with a triangle, and the number 6 is stamped inside.[4]
- This foam can be turned into plastic, sent overseas to make another item like a picture frame, then shipped back for sale in the U.S.[5]
- Remember that almost all Styrofoam food containers, cups, and plates are considered trash due to food contamination. Foam used for medical purposes is also unusable. This is true even if they have a recycling triangle.[6]
- Contact your local recycling program for information on Styrofoam drop-offs. Some waste authorities will accept clean foam food trays and/or foam egg cartons. Refer to your local agency's website for details on what they can recycle.[7]
- Google your city name and add "Styrofoam" to find your agency's website.
- Reach out to disposal drop-off sites near you. There might be drop-off areas in your area who are willing to take your unwanted Styrofoam. Use the EPS-IA's online directory to find sites near you.[8] Call locations beforehand to learn what Styrofoam they'll take.[9]
- All containers should be clean and empty. Remove any tape, labels, or plastic film.
- If you have a truck's worth of recyclable Styrofoam, there might be a fee due to the amount.[10]
- Mail in Styrofoam if there are no local options available. You can look for a mail-in location on EPS-IA's website.[11] You'll have to cover the shipping, but it should be low-cost. Remove any debris, then break the Styrofoam into small pieces. Place the foam in a shipping box.[12]
EditReusing or Upcycling Styrofoam - Reuse packing peanuts for future shipments. Shippers use packing peanuts because they're good at what they do: protecting items during transit. If you plan to mail packages, try using the peanuts you have. If you don't need them, donate to a local shipping store.[13]
- Use foam to create sets, props, or crafts. Styrofoam makes a great material for costumes or decorations because it's lightweight. Create templates on the Styrofoam for desired shapes, then cut them out. Use paint or markers to decorate low-cost but sturdy-looking props and stage backgrounds.
- Make a magic wand by cutting out a star shape. Poke a hole in the bottom with a pencil. Insert craft glue into the hole, then slide in a wooden dowel for the handle.[14]
- Use markers or paint to turn a Styrofoam plate into a shining sun.
- Glue white packing peanuts into the shape of a little igloo.[15]
- Use Styrofoam peanuts or pieces as planter filler. Using Styrofoam in the base of your planter means you'll use and waste less soil.[16] It also makes for a lighter planter and aids water drainage.
- Use Styrofoam to decorate your home. With some effort, you can repurpose Styrofoam into something new to furnish your space. For example, you could build a beautiful garden statue, or cut up pieces to make your own beanbag chair filling.[17]
- Do not burn Styrofoam as a disposal method.
EditReferences
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| How to Write Taglines Posted: 12 May 2019 09:00 AM PDT A tagline is a quick way to market a business visually and audibly. It is very similar to a slogan, but it often covers an entire company and its products instead of a single advertising campaign. Great taglines come from plenty of brainstorming and editing. The best ones are catchy but also express the benefits of using a business' products or services. Draw inspiration from your business or product in order to write an expressive tagline many people remember. EditBrainstorming Tagline Ideas - Determine where you wish to display the tagline. The place you choose may affect the tagline's length and other characteristics. Typically, a tagline is meant to be displayed with a company logo. It is often featured at the top of a company website, but it might also be used on social media, business cards, fliers, and other advertisements.[1]
- When choosing a location to display a tagline, keep aesthetics in mind. A long tagline could crowd out a company logo, for instance. Write a tagline to fit the area you wish to display it in.
- A good tagline can often be used in a variety of places. That doesn't mean you have to use it everywhere. A tagline is good as long as it works well where it is needed.
- Select a target audience for your tagline. Decide who your product or service is meant for. The language you use in the tagline may vary depending on your audience and what you have to offer them. A tagline meant for working professionals sounds far different than one written for kids. Most taglines are simple and avoid jargon to capture as wide of an audience as possible.[2]
- For example, taglines about financial planning services are meant for adults. They are often straightforward but upbeat. Something for a food company, such as "Finger lickin' good," is much more lighthearted
- One of the world's most popular taglines is "Just do it." It's not very specific, but the brand is very popular among athletes. Customers expect no-nonsense products that help them achieve their goals.
- Brainstorm words describing the product or service the tagline covers. An effective tagline lets people know what to expect from a product or service. Think about what you need potential customers to know, then jot down a brief list of words. These words form the basis of your tagline. Come up with as many different words as possible so you have a variety to choose from when you write the finished tagline.[3]
- For example, wikiHow's tagline is, "How to do anything." That short phrase lets you know that the site contains instructions on a wide variety of topics.
- Take inspiration from the product, your website, or any other resource available. For example, if you run a website dedicated to ice cream, it probably has a lot of pictures and gentle colors. Words like cool, refreshing, and soothing are possible descriptions to include in your tagline.
- List what benefits customers get out of using your product or service. Brainstorm a separate list of descriptive words and phrases identifying what you have to offer customers. A tagline is basically an advertisement. It's very visible and has to encourage potential customers to check out what you have to offer. Try to be as specific as possible when describing these benefits.[4]
- Words and phrases like planning, financial freedom, protecting wealth, and building a foundation are common ways to describe a financial planning service.
- For example, one insurance company tagline is "In 15 minutes you can save 15% or more on car insurance." Even if you have never heard of the company before, you know exactly what you are getting from it.
- Well-known taglines like "I'm lovin' it" work because they belong to big, marketable companies that have been using them forever. A tagline like that is normally too vague unless your company is well-known.
EditMaking a Basic Tagline - Write a couple of sentences describing your business. Take your lists of descriptions and ideas if you have them. Combine them all into 1 or 2 complete sentences explaining what your business does. Try to make the description as specific as possible, as if you're pitching it to a complete stranger. Don't worry about making the perfect tagline yet.[5]
- For instance, you might write, "Acme gives you a space to host your website without a lot of hassle. Our tools help you create, design, and troubleshoot a custom site in ways other hosts can't."
- Trim the description down to a short sentence of a few words. Edit the description into a single sentence that flows well but still contains all the important information a customer needs. Once you have that, look for ways to shorten the tagline further. The exact length of your tagline will vary, but usually keeping it around 10 words or less is ideal.[6]
- Short, punchy taglines are far easier to memorize. They also fit better underneath logos and in other prominent spots.
- Trim your tagline down to something like, "Acme makes hosting and designing a website easy. Our tools are perfect." Trim it down again to, "Website hosting, perfected."
- Come up with variations to find the perfect tagline. Play around with your shortened description to find alternative taglines. Try switching around the words in your sentence or substituting some words for the ones on your brainstorming lists. Create taglines that show your business from a few different angles until you come up with one you like.[7]
- Change your tagline to "perfect web hosting tools," "website design made easy," and so on. Compare taglines to find the one you like best.
- Use a tagline to clarify what you do if your name is part of the business. Lawyers, marketers, and many other professionals run into this problem in advertising. Unless you are super famous, nobody knows what you do by reading your name. In this case, write a very specific tagline. List exactly what products or services your business provides.[8]
- For example, your tagline might be "Chartered Accountants" or "Social media trainer." Be as clear as possible about what you're offering. Clarity beats cleverness.
- Something like, "Speaker, Author, Trainer" is an example of a ineffective tagline. You could be a personal trainer, an animal trainer, or have any number of other roles.
- Use a tagline generator to help you come up with new ideas. If you're stuck, try getting some inspiration from an online generator. Plug a word from your list into the generator to instantly create a bunch of taglines. Many of them are generic and won't quite fit your purpose, but you may find value in some others. Even if you don't find one you use, you can use the generated taglines as a launching point for something original.[9]
- You can find tagline generator sites by searching for them online.
EditTesting a Tagline - Place your tagline on your website to check its visual appeal. If you plan on using the tagline in your logo, on business cards, or in other places, put it there too. A great tagline loses some of its effectiveness if it looks out of place. It needs to be up front with your name or your logo, one of the first things customers see. Make sure it doesn't clutter up your website or images, though.[10]
- Keep in mind the costs of adding a tagline. It adds a new design element to your website or anything you print out. Sometimes the tagline's costs outweigh its benefits, such as if customers already know what kind of product to expect from your business.
- Check the tagline's length to ensure it is easily visible but doesn't cover nearby graphics. Also, make sure the color and font match other design elements on the page.
- Recite the tagline out loud to ensure it's easy to say and remember. Test the tagline's flow and clarity by saying it to yourself a few times. If you stumble over it, it may need more editing. Find ways to shorten it or look for simpler words that better describe your business' purpose. Continue revising the tagline until it provides a simple but accurate portrayal of what your work is about.[11]
- Take inspiration from some famous taglines. For example, something like "eat fresh" or "got milk?" is short and memorable. A tagline like "A diamond is forever" is short and descriptive.
- Edit the tagline's tone to match your target audience. Part of the tone is using language every customer can easily understand. Doing this helps keep the tagline light and appealing. Use a more serious tone or jargon only if it suits your audience. Remember that a tagline is an advertisement, so paint your business in a positive light.[12]
- For instance, you might write "Peace of mind for your financial future" for a bank tagline. The tagline isn't the place for terms about investment. Instead, make the tagline straightforward and positive.
- If you're a programmer, you might list your name, then write, "C++ developer" to specify your area of expertise. However, "computer programmer" is still usually a better and broader title. Some clients may not know what C++ is and get scared off by the tagline.
- Read the tagline to friends and potential customers to test it. Give your tagline to other people and ask them to judge it. Start with people that you trust, then move on to customers or even complete strangers. Find out how they feel about the tagline. Ask them if it's memorable and describes your business accurately.[13]
- For example, ask, "What kind of product or business do you think this tagline represents? Does it sound friendly and engaging?"
- Taglines are a small part of marketing unless you're writing one for a large company. You don't need to spend hours coming up with something incredible.
- A clear tagline is always better than a clever one. Keep your tagline short and to the point instead of going out of your way to be witty.
- Taglines aren't right in all situations, such as for websites that cover single, specific topics. If you think a tagline doesn't add anything to your business or product, consider removing it.
- Marketing is important for taglines. The most famous taglines are well-known because they are used frequently and included in paid advertisements.
EditReferences
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| How to Surprise Your Mom on Mother's Day Posted: 12 May 2019 01:00 AM PDT Mother's Day is coming up, and you want to make your mom feel appreciated. You can give her a gift, make her a meal, help out around the house, write her a note, or take her on a day trip. The important thing is that your surprise comes from the heart. It does not need to be expensive or complicated, but it should be thoughtful. Think about what your mom would appreciate. EditSurprising Her with a Gift - Buy her a gift. Buy her something that you know she's always wanted, or find something that you know she will like. Try to buy something special that she wouldn't necessarily buy for herself. You don't need to break the bank with an expensive gold necklace. The important thing is that your gift is thoughtful and makes her feel appreciated.
- If you can't think of a specific item that she wants or needs, try to think of something that plays on her interests. If she likes to garden, give her a packet of seeds, or buy her a potted plant that she can replant in her garden. If she likes dark chocolate, buy her a bar of quality chocolate.
- If you don't want to buy her one expensive gift, try putting together a small gift basket of her favorite things. A bottle of wine, a bar of chocolate, a bouquet of flowers. Even if the individual items aren't very expensive, she will appreciate the thought that you put into choosing her favorite things.
- Make her a gift. Paint her a painting, write her a poem, carve her something out of wood, or arrange photos of the two of you together into a collage. You won't have to spend much money, and she will appreciate your gift all the more if you make it specifically for her. Don't be afraid to get creative.[1]
- Make her a mix-CD. Make her a card. Make her a thoughtful video and post it to YouTube or Facebook. Make her a picture-frame, a flip-book, a t-shirt, or a portrait.
- Make her a found-object sculpture that she can put in her garden. Make her a coffee mug, a bowl, or a vase out of fired clay. Carve and polish a cutting board out of a unique piece of wood. If she loves the beach, give her a mason jar full of shells that you collected.
- Make a special Mother's Day meal. Cook her favorite foods for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Consider serving her breakfast in bed for a classic Mother's Day treat. Make the meal, set the table, and clean up afterward.
- If you aren't confident in the kitchen, look up recipes online. Ask a sibling, a friend, or another family member for help.
- Consider making her sweet treats. Cookies, brownies, muffins—whatever she likes. Make a nice basket with a Mother's Day card. Consider decorating the treats with her favorite things. If she loves the beach, for example, you might decorate cupcakes with ocean-themed frosting: crabs, palm trees, dolphins, starfish.
- If you don't live with her, you can invite her over to your house for dinner. It might not be a surprise, but she will appreciate it. Consider taking her out to her favorite restaurant.
- Pamper her with a luxury spa treatment. Pay for a massage, a facial, a manicure, a pedicure, or all of the above. Show that you appreciate her by spoiling her for the day. She may appreciate the chance to lay back, relax, and let someone else take care of her for a change.
- Buy her flowers. If you know what kind of flowers she likes, buy her a bouquet from a flower shop. She will appreciate flowers no matter which type you give her, but there's a good chance that she has a favorite. Many grocery stores and drugstores also sell flowers. Pick the flowers yourself, if you can find them, and your mom will appreciate the effort.
- You can buy a wrapped-up bouquet and simply give it to her, or you can put the flowers into a vase that's filled with a few inches of water. Your mom will probably want to put the flowers into a vase or jar to preserve them, so she may appreciate the thought involved in giving her a vase.
- If you don't know what type of flowers she likes, consider just asking her. Commit this to memory and use it in the future. She will appreciate that you remembered. This does not only apply to your mom: casually ask significant others what their favorite flower is, and remember the answer for special occasions.
- If you can't give her the flowers in person, consider using a flower delivery service. Most florists will deliver flowers for you, and some may even have a special deal for Mother's Day. This is a simple process: you just need to call the florist or order from their website.
EditTelling Her How Much You Care - Take some time to think about your favorite memories with your mom. Find photos, souvenirs, and other mementos, if possible. On Mother's Day, reminisce with your mom about those special moments. Tell her how much those memories have impacted your life, and make sure she knows that you value your time together.
- Hang balloons around the house with personal, thoughtful messages written on them. Be specific. Think of your mom's best qualities and think of all the things that she does for you. Instead of writing something generic like "Happy Mother's Day," try something like "Thank you for being there at our baseball games" or "We love the delicious dinners you cook for us."
- Write her a thoughtful note. You can hand-write a note, you can make or buy a Mother's Day card, or you can print out a typed letter. It doesn't need to be wordy or complicated. Simply wish her a happy Mother's Day, tell her you love her, and list a few reasons that you appreciate her so much. Give her the note with flowers or another gift. If you can't give her a note in person, send her a thoughtful email or e-card, or post something sweet on her Facebook wall.
- Try writing several short, thoughtful notes and putting them around the house where she will see them. Put a note on the coffee pot, on her computer screen, on the front door, on the bathroom mirror. Write notes as simple as "Happy Mother's Day! <3", or write specific notes that describe her best qualities: for instance, adorn the refrigerator that says "You are the world's greatest chef! Thank you for cooking delicious dinners and making sure that we never go hungry."
- Consider mailing her a letter. If you don't live with your mom, and you won't be around to spend time with her on Mother's Day—even if you will—try sending her a heartfelt letter in the mail. Look up average mail-delivery times from your area to hers (or use priority mail) and try to time it so that the letter arrives on or just before Mother's Day.
- Try making her a custom fortune cookie. Simply remove the fortune from an existing fortune cookie without cracking the shell, then slip in your own Mother's Day message. She will be surprised, and she will be impressed at your creativity.[2]
- Make her a video to show her how much she is loved. Record her children, siblings, husband, and other special loved ones saying things that they love about her. Post the video to YouTube or another video-sharing website; post it to her Facebook wall; or, if she is not so into public displays of affection, simply save the video file to your computer and send it to her in an email. Your mom likely won't expect a heartfelt video that has been made especially for her.
- Write a Mother's Day essay. Write about what your mom means to you, what she does for you, and what makes her a great mother. It does not need to be long, and it does not need to be in a formal style; but if you are writing an essay and not a letter, it will probably not be addressing her directly.
- Consider saving any good news for Mother's Day. She will be a proud mom when you tell her about the A that you got on your test, the exciting new job that you were just offered, or your successful proposal to your now-fiancee. Don't make the day about yourself, but tell her things that will make her proud to be a mother.
- Act out a Mother's Day skit. Bring your siblings together to plan and act out a short, funny skit that honors your mom. Playfully re-enact a memorable family event, a funny camping trip, or a time when Mom did something especially caring or courageous. A comedic sketch can be a great way to lightheartedly poke fun at your mom's quirky traits while still showing her how deeply you care.
EditSurprising Her with a Gesture - Come to visit her. If you don't live in the same area as your mom, consider surprising her with a Mother's Day visit if you can afford the trip. Drive, rideshare, fly, or take a train. Do not tell her that you're going to come, then show up at her door with flowers and her favorite treat. Plan it out beforehand: speak with siblings, relatives, or your other parent to make sure that your mom is going to be around when you arrive.
- Try further setting up the surprise by making up a story about how you can't come. Tell her you have an exam, or a meeting, and that you are very sorry that you aren't able to make it. She will be even more surprised if she specifically expects you not to come!
- You don't need to show up on Mother's Day, specifically. You can come on Friday or Saturday and spend the whole weekend. If you do plan to stay the whole weekend, make sure that your mom has space for you to stay.
- Set the day aside to spend with her. Take care of all your homework, projects, and other obligations before Sunday rolls around. Don't make plans with friends or arrange to be out of town. Tell her that you want to spend the day hanging out with her, then take her out for a hike, to a show, or to dinner. She will appreciate the gesture, and she will love the chance to spend quality time with you.
- Be present. Set aside your phone, and don't spend your day on the Internet. Make the time to be there for your mom and give her your undivided attention.
- If you think that your mom would rather spend Mother's Day reading in bed or being pampered at a spa, then arrange it so. If you think that she'd like to spend the day with you, then take the time to make that happen.
- Give her a call. If you aren't living with her, and you can't pay her a visit for Mother's Day, surprise her with a phone call. Wish her a happy Mother's Day, tell her you love her, ask her how she's doing, and tell her what you're up to. Life can get busy, and she will appreciate hearing from you. The simplest gestures can be the most powerful.
- Plan a party for her. Invite her friends and family, book her favorite band, and make sure that there are plenty of refreshments. Ask a sibling, your father, or other family members for help. Bear in mind that if you hold the party on Mother's Day, many of the guests may be busy with their own Mother's Day plans—so plan accordingly.
- You know your own mother best. If she is a social butterfly, then a party might be the perfect Mother's Day surprise. However, if she is less prone to partying, she might prefer to spend a more intimate day with you and your family.
- Help out around the house. Stay up late the night before Mother's Day, wake up early in the morning, or simply tell her that you're going to do her chores for her that day. Do the things that she's been planning to do: fix the leaky pipe, mow the lawn, do the laundry, clean the kitchen. Show your love with your actions.[3]
- She will surely appreciate your help with the regular chores, such as laundry, yard work, and dishes, but she may be even more surprised if you take the initiative to begin a big project that she's been planning. Help her install a new flowerbed, wash her car, or trim the hedge. Do something rare and special.
- Bear in mind that while she will surely appreciate the thought and effort on your part, she may prefer to spend the day with you rather than laying around while you work.
- Take her out. Bring her to her favorite restaurant, take her to the movies, or take her for a hike. Think about what your mom likes to do, and plan a day that allows the two of you to do that thing together. If you have siblings, be sure to plan something that you can all enjoy, or schedule with them ahead of time: for instance, you can agree that you will take your mom for a hike, but your brother will take her out to dinner.[4]
- Although it can be great to surprise your mom, you may want to tell her about these plans in advance. If she doesn't know that you plan to take her out to dinner, she might make other plans for the evening. You can still surprise her in advance by telling her about the plans you've made.
- She will be especially surprised if you plan out an unexpected excursion. If her favorite band or play is coming to town, buy tickets for the two of you (and, perhaps the rest of your family) to go. She may not even have been aware of the show, but there's a good chance that she will appreciate the gesture.
- Make her feel appreciated and let her know you love her, no matter what.
- If you make her something yourself instead of buying it from a store, it will show you love her and that you have time for her.
- Keep your surprise a secret. If you decide to share it with the rest of your family, make sure they don't pass it on to your mom. Otherwise, the surprise will be ruined!
- You don't even need to get your mom anything just telling her you love her is enough.
EditRelated wikiHows EditReferences
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