Plastic shopping bags, which have low recycling rates and often become litter when they blow away in the wind, are among the biggest culprits of plastic pollution in the ocean and along shorelines.

Whether you've just bought new bedding or have old packaging stashed away, consider repurposing it to bring order to every room in your home.

1. To compress the melon, place the melon, mint, basil and simple syrup (if using) in a cryovac bag (if you have a Food Saver), or a plastic zipper bag (if you don’t). If using a Food Saver ...