Aluminum foil is sold in huge rolls that can take months to get through, so reusing it seems a bit unnecessary. However, foil is actually one of the easiest, safest, and most durable materials to reuse — and it can even be washed — so save your money and the planet by thinking twice before you toss foil in the trash.

The next time you take the foil cover off a bowl of leftovers, smooth out the crinkles and either give the foil a quick wash by hand or place it on the top rack of your dishwasher. As a non-porous surface, aluminum foil is easy and safe to clean, with no chance of germs hiding inside, and can be reused again and again.

Also, aluminum foil can be used as a dish-scrubber, scissor-sharpener, or to store and clean silverware. Even if you don't have the time to clean and reuse all your foil, it's still one of the most valuable materials in the recycling industry and doesn't require a lot of energy to break down, so aim for the recycling bin, not the trash.