It's almost like we enjoy creating waste. There are lots of everyday objects that come into our homes and can be reused. Let's take a look at some things you probably didn't realize you could reuse. Ideas courtesy of My Two Dollars.

1. Sunday comics

Chances are you only wrap gifts with newspaper comics when you've run out of actual wrapping paper. But consider this: If you saved the comics from each Sunday paper, you'd never have to buy gift wrap again!

2. Shredded paper

Save up the contents of your paper shredder for packing material when you're moving homes. You can also use the shredded paper when you're mailing gifts to friends and family.

3. Milk jugs

Cut off the top of your empty milk jugs and leave them outside. When it rains, they'll fill up with water. Perfect for watering your plants!

4. Altoids tins

Have you ever been on the way to work and realized a button was missing on your shirt? Transform used Altoids tins into basic sewing kits! Simply fill the small tin with all the necessary supplies and keep it in your car, purse or office.

5. Bottle caps

Bottle caps make for really annoying waste. Hit up Michaels or another similar craft store for small magnets, glue them onto your favorite bottle caps and voila! Customized refrigerator magnets.

What other products do you recommend reusing?

Great! You want to start a giveaway just in time for summer. (and hopefully warm weather) Once you start your search, it can be overbearing. How exactly does one make the difficult decision on whether to get the USA-made product, the eco-friendly product, a Union-made item or something with a fast production time? 

Before making a hasty decision you could possibly regret, imagine the opportunity to have everything. Yes, a product that is Union-made in the USA, sports a quick production time and is eco-friendly to boot.

Motivators carries the perfect item for summer: the custom imprinted Recycled Premium Car Wash Kit. If your car is anything like mine, it is covered with a thick layer of airborne pollen that stands out sorely on almost any vehicle. (especially the candy-apple red color my car is) The pollen count varies by the day (i.e. Long Island's pollen count is incredibly low today and is expected to get 10x worse by the weekend) but there are other reasons to remove it off your car regularly.

Leaving pollen on a car not only looks bad but could possibly damage the paint of a car. Under a microscope, pollen is actually very jagged and sharp (great for making new plants and trees) and by sticking to your car, it can possibly remove paint altogether. Additionally, pollen left on a vehicle can clog air filters and cabin filters, resulting in an extended, intensified allergy season for you and your passengers. 

The solution? Wash your car. The Recycled Premium Car Wash Kit includes a recycled 7 quart bucket, 2 sponges, biodegradable car wash concentrate, a window squeegee and much more. The whole kit arrives packaged neatly and promptly - all thanks to a 3 day production time on pad printed logo or text.

Great job, America! According to new data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), emissions out of the U.S. fell by 3.8 percent in 2012.

The report, entitled "Redrawing the Energy-Climate Map," reveals that Americans cut their carbon dioxide emissions by abandoning coal in favor of gas, which is a much cleaner fuel. In fact, the country's emissions are down to a level not seen since the 1990s.

However, coal might soon make a comeback. According to New Scientist, "In the first quarter of 2013, gas prices rose by 40 per cent, triggering a rise in coal use of 14 per cent, compared with the same time last year." The IEA advises placing regulations on coal-fired power stations in order to curb the comeback.

As the weather continues to get warmer, one can't help but think about opportunities to host parties and events outdoors. I love an excuse to take in the nice weather with food, drinks and great company to chew the fat with. The warmer weather also means summer vacation for students and teachers too.

That's why this week's Spotlight product is one that embodies Mother Nature's gift of nice weather with the usefulness everyone really looks for in a giveaway product. The custom imprinted Bamboo Photo Frame by Leeds has a beautiful etched-imprint option and holds one 4" x 6" photograph (horizontally or vertically) on a body that is both 100% bamboo and 100% eco-friendly. 

The frame can really make your next summer event pop! How? See below:

• High school graduates/soon-to-be Grad School students will not only love a chance to bring a precious photo of friends or family to college but also have a frame that doubles as a decoration piece ideal for any dorm room.

• Tug at fathers' heart-strings with a heart-felt photo for Father's Day. The frame is not only perfect for offices and for homes but speedy 1 day production can help in getting the product in on-time. 

• Decorating tables for outdoor weddings, pool parties and other events is a great way to show personality and artistic taste. Adding a custom imprinted Bamboo Photo Frame to each chair and/or table not only acts as a "thank you" gift but looks great with most decor.

Keep this product in mind for any summer (and fall) events. But act quickly - Motivators is offering free ground shipping. (while supplies last)

Most of us know that canned tuna fish contains mercury. But what's not as commonly understood is how much of it is OK to consume.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, most people can safely eat one can of chunk light tuna every three days. However, it varies depending on weight.

Take a look at this chart courtesy of the Natural Resources Defense Council:

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, consuming mercury poses the most serious health risks to women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant and children. Still, others can also refer to this guide to ensure proper consumption.

How often do you eat canned tuna fish?

Sure, most of us hate pesky bees. They buzz in your ears, land on your food and can even sting. But, as you probably already know, the bee population is in decline. And while apiphobics everywhere are likely ecstatic at the idea that bees might someday go extinct, scientists are less enthused.

Bees are important pollinators. According to The Guardian, a recent study revealed that pollination is needed for approximately 75 percent of worldwide food crops.

"Without wild pollination, you will not get the best yields and the best agricultural land already farmed, so it is very important to get the maximum yield," lead research scientist Lucas Garibaldi told The Guardian.

Enter the robotic bee. Researchers at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Scientists have successfully created a flying robot, dubbed the "RoboBee," which might be the answer to colony collapse disorder. According to Scientific American, the fly-like robot weighs just 80 milligrams and is about the size of a quarter. Check it out: 

"Theoretically, the RoboBee could one day take over for a dwindling bee supply, pollinating crops," Scientific American reports. It could also be used to help locate disaster survivors and in environmental marketing.

If there is anything the past two weeks has taught us, it's that we can't keep our hopes up ever - when it comes to the weather that is. After stellar temperatures in the 70s and 80s for New York and above average temperatures across the nation, our region is now plagued with rain and cold weather. Mother Nature is embodying the old adage, "Two steps forward, two steps back." (Also a line from a pre-American Idol Paula Abdul song.)

With this reminder that summer weather doesn't necessarily mean warm suns and no clouds, here is a piece of advice: buy umbrellas.

An outdoor event can go sour when there are looming clouds and rain. Giving out custom imprinted umbrellas with your company's name, event information or a design makes an impression on your guests and the worse the weather gets, the more your logo shines. 

At just under $13 each with a low minimum of 36, (as of May 2013) Motivators' least expensive eco-friendly umbrella happens to be an exceptional one. The custom imprinted Leeds EcoSmart Folding Umbrella is made of 51% recycled PET, has a large 44" arc and a 2-section folding shaft. The EcoSmart is available only in black but with its ergonomic wooden handle, you won't find a better looking umbrella. 

Worried that you won't get it in time because your upcoming event is in June? Motivators is offering 1 day production on the umbrella and a low price guarantee. For those with more leeway in shipping times, they offer free ground shipping.

Don't let Mother Nature hinder your upcoming outdoor event. Outsmart her with the Leeds EcoSmart Folding Umbrella.

Yesterday marked the one month mark until the official start of summer, June 21. The weather has been playing tricks on us for a few months, leading those in the Northeast to believe that summer has been here for a while. The only proof that is still spring is the unwavering bombardment of allergens. 

As a business owner or employee, now is the perfect time to start thinking about summer. Maybe you have a new product expected to come out in time for the summer or provide a service that sees a sales slump during the warmer months. Whatever it may be, businesses everywhere have a game plan for the summer months.

Worried? Don't be. It's simple to get ahead of everyone else. This week's spotlight item is three promotional products in one ready-to-gift giveaway. The custom imprinted Flyer, Visor, Sport Sipper Fun Kit provides a plastic visor, 9" flying disc and a large 32 oz. sport sipper bottle in a reusable mesh bag. Each of these items are made of recycled material and can be recycled if needed.

This product is great for handing out at the beach, at parks, boardwalks and other fun places outdoors. You can choose the color for each item to coordinate with the colors of an awareness event or your corporate logo. Motivators has the item on sale now and provides quick 3-day production. 

It starts out like your typical Coca-Cola TV spot. Young, attractive people socialize at the beach, taking swigs from that iconic red and white bottle. A pretty standard ad, alright -- that is, until the birds start dropping.

Confused? Watch the commercial below to see for yourself:

The video is meant to highlight the impact of plastic on wildlife, particularly seabirds. In fact, it's reminiscent of "Midway," a documentary by Chris Jordan which explores the effect of plastic on birds in the Pacific. 

According to The Age, the Australian advertisement was added to YouTube on May 5 and has already received nearly 1 million views.

I love that the awareness-building video is getting the attention it deserves. And while its message seems to be somewhat misdirected (Coca-Cola certainly isn't the only company that packages its products in plastic), it's important for people to learn and understand.

What do you think? Is Coke being unfairly targeted in Greenpeace's pro-recycling video?

For my work at Motivators, I go through a lot of office supplies. I use notebooks constantly to take notes in meetings and leave reminders of what I need to do later in the day. As a result, my pens and highlighters dry up very quickly. 

That's where the Oasis Recycled Bottle Stubby Highlighter comes in. Aside from having a unique shape and a large imprint area (unlike other traditional highlighters) the highlighter is made of recycled PET. Additionally, the ink provided is a brilliant yellow, and is resistant to fading. Choose between the clear or translucent blue barrel and when it does eventually run out, you can feel easy knowing it can be tossed in a recycling bin.