Chris Sikk
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2021
Posts: 73
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Post by Chris Sikk on Sept 27, 2021 18:35:43 GMT -5
While I do believe companies should be held responsible for much of the waste in our world, I still want to do what I can to get to that zero waste life.
Some of the recent things we've done:
- Those goofy wool balls instead of dryer sheets (and hanging laundry when I can, but we live in a condo) - We use a lot of the boiled water for cooking to water plants - reuse a lot of the plastic bags (bread, snacks, etc.) for garbage, at least they get more than one use - Using an old pair of jeans as patches for my other pairs that are wearing out - Got a few reusable straws - reusable bee's wax covers for leftovers instead of plastic wrap - cutting toilet paper rolls, filling with peat/dirt to start seeds in the Spring - Worm composting
- Used old wood floor that was pulled up after water damage to build planter and boxes - All my rocks are in various 16 oz plastic containers (butter, sour cream, etc.), labeled for next stage. The amount in those cups is perfect for my 3lb barrels.
Obviously, I am no superstar, living off the grid and typing to you from a magical zero waste computer. However, I do want to get better at reducing waste.
What are some of your helpful tips and hacks?
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Post by mohs on Sept 27, 2021 18:51:31 GMT -5
right on
I'm trying to figure out what to do w/ banana peels
the sixties i had an idea they called it mellow yellow
I tried it- well at least it wasn't addictive
really those I like the recycling idea having worked in a Amazon warehouse
never ceased to amaze me the amount of consuming products our species thinks it needs
so if all these resources are taken out of the earth at increasing rates something going to recycle
anyway we do what we can ...
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Post by Pat on Sept 27, 2021 20:32:25 GMT -5
I re-use bread bags et al for cleaning out kitty litter box daily.
For drawer dividers, I use the little cardboard boxes up by the store cash register—- those that hold gum, life savers, candy etc. they are the perfect size. Free.
I have some old pieces of railroad tracks that make perfect hammering blocks for Smithie work. (I forget what they are called.)
I use a piece of tile to act as a splash guard when cutting preforms for cabbing.
I use an artist’s paint brush carousel to keep all my pliers and other small tools corralled on my work bench.
I use jar lids to hold our morning pill ration.
I cut tiles to use as coasters. Pretty slabs work well, too. Add gel feet or those fuzzy circles to the bottom to protect furniture, and to add air space.
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Post by Starguy on Sept 27, 2021 20:58:10 GMT -5
@ Chris Sikk
I’m glad to see somebody reusing and recycling. We do our best. We only have one planet. It’s big but we are making a mess of it. Climate change has me worried. I have a grandson.
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Post by jasoninsd on Sept 27, 2021 23:42:47 GMT -5
There's always this type of recycling:
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Post by amygdule on Sept 28, 2021 0:07:17 GMT -5
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Post by amygdule on Sept 28, 2021 0:25:17 GMT -5
I like to re-use clear plastic food containers with wide mouth lids for storing my beach agates. The nicer wide mouth glass and plastic jars I use for bulk spices. Half gallon bottles of fruit juice get washed, then I fill them with tap water and freeze them to use as ice packs for my coolers when I go shopping.
Paper and plastic bags from the store get re-used for trash bags and sorting more recyclables. Cardboard boxes get used for more storage and other projects as necessary.
40 lb wood pellet bags are nice and heavy. They get used for trash bags around the house. I also use them when I go to the beach and pick up garbage when I do beach clean up. They also make good rock storage bags. A double bag works great for 50 lbs of beach rocks.
1 gallon freezer bags that we use for freezing food get refilled with rocks from the beach.
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,124
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Post by RWA3006 on Sept 28, 2021 1:32:51 GMT -5
While I do believe companies should be held responsible for much of the waste in our world,
I appreciate companies being responsible, but I see personal responsibility as the foundation of the issue. The main thing I do is I practice a frugal lifestyle and adhere to the pioneer moto, "use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." I fiercely resist the urge to buy anything unless it has lasting, long term, super durable value, and even then I usually deny myself the gratification of making a purchase for a while just to make sure I'm not indulging myself. I think my most effective strategy to reduce waste is curb my consumerism which is a preventive measure. I've been involved in the hardware business off and on since 1994 and it always amazes me what junk people are willing to buy. I mean all the trashy yard ornaments that break in the first wind storm and all the cheap Chinese made decoration "stuff" that will end up in the landfill within a couple years. I despise this junk and avoid it like a plague. Another thing is I have a garden, orchard and vineyard that produces most my food. I preserve food for long term and keep a profound storage facility that vastly reduces our need to make frivolous trips to the grocery store. My parents and grandparents got along nicely with only one or two trips to the grocer per month and by golly, I require the same thing from myself too. This prevents my consumption of travel fuel, and food packaging. I think my strategies are effective because I observe how many trash cans my neighbors put out for the weekly garbage truck to pick up. Many have two or three cans every week. I put out my can only once every two to three weeks and I think that is a fair indicator of what's what.
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Post by HankRocks on Sept 28, 2021 6:25:13 GMT -5
My Dad had a Compost Pile at our house back in the 50's. I continued that tradition when I bought my first house in 1975, and my current house in 1990. In 46 years I estimate there must have been between 5 to 6 thousand bags of leaves and lawn clippings that did not go out on the curb, but have been converted into soil and compost. In addition to that my kids cut a neighbors lawn for about 9 years and all the clippings were brought home. I have even been known to take leaf bags from the neighbor around the corner. We were the first people to move into our neighborhood of 1100 homes. Being the first I was able to scavenge the reject piles as homes were built close to our house. I stockpiled a large stash of 2x4', 2x6's, 2x8's etc, even the short pieces. I proceeded to build all of the rock shelves in my garage with this material. It was about 5 years before i had to buy lumber. Also must have scavenged over a 1000 bricks, they make a nice paved walkway behind and down the side of the garage. We have re-cycling in our neighborhood so all metal, plastic and paper products go into the bins. I notice that we barely have 1 bag for trash pickup twice a week, many times we have nothing to set out. A few neighbors who do not recycle have two full trash cans twice a week plus leaves and lawn clippings. Like RWA3006 said, I hate waste. Both my wife and I have been known to drag treasures home on trash day. There must be about 8 or 9 of the heavy steel Shepherd's hooks for hanging baskets in our yard that other folks threw out. I picked up about 10 big tomato cages 2 years ago. It's just amazing what folks will throw away.
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Post by fernwood on Sept 28, 2021 7:04:52 GMT -5
Composting. Using toilet paper tubes as seed starters or make party favors from them. Re-using plastic bags for garbage. Re-using beer flats for rock storage. Making a lot of my own products such as dishwasher detergent, clothes washing soap, hand lotion, etc. Store in glass jars. Recycling glass, tin, cardboard and aluminum containers. Using old clothes to make ear warmers, hats and scarves. Lots of uses for wood scraps.
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Post by parfive on Sept 28, 2021 12:00:22 GMT -5
Wonderin’ how long till humans have enough plastic and chemicals in ‘em to alter the genome to the point where we’ve grown our own aliens. : )
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Post by parfive on Sept 28, 2021 12:06:59 GMT -5
Coffee grounds get tossed around the yard, especially under the azaleas and rhodos.
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Post by amygdule on Sept 28, 2021 12:16:27 GMT -5
Wonderin’ how long till humans have enough plastic and chemicals in ‘em to alter the genome to the point where we’ve grown our own aliens. : ) Considering the levels of Collective Insanity and Mass Hysteria going on these days, I'd say that ship has already sailed. Transhumanism In the latest version of "The War of the Worlds" (2019) It turns out that the aliens that attacked Earth and tried to destroy Humanity were actually humans from the future.
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Post by mohs on Sept 28, 2021 13:47:37 GMT -5
anthropocentric age
if only there was schist in our solipsism
that would be gneiss
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Chris Sikk
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2021
Posts: 73
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Post by Chris Sikk on Sept 28, 2021 14:19:36 GMT -5
right on I'm trying to figure out what to do w/ banana peels I read recently that someone suggested soaking the banana peels in water for a bit. Then, they use the water on their plants. Supposedly, all the nutrients that are shed from the peels make your plants strong and healthy.
Supposedly you can also make a banana vinegar?
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Chris Sikk
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2021
Posts: 73
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Post by Chris Sikk on Sept 28, 2021 14:29:01 GMT -5
I re-use bread bags et al for cleaning out kitty litter box daily. For drawer dividers, I use the little cardboard boxes up by the store cash register—- those that hold gum, life savers, candy etc. they are the perfect size. Free. I have some old pieces of railroad tracks that make perfect hammering blocks for Smithie work. (I forget what they are called.) I use a piece of tile to act as a splash guard when cutting preforms for cabbing. I use an artist’s paint brush carousel to keep all my pliers and other small tools corralled on my work bench. I use jar lids to hold our morning pill ration. I cut tiles to use as coasters. Pretty slabs work well, too. Add gel feet or those fuzzy circles to the bottom to protect furniture, and to add air space. Excellent. I used to buy a lot of sugar-free mints to avoid bad breath. When I moved to Canada they were harder to find and I started buying them box and all when I could find them in the stores. Now, I have a few of those in my own draws to organize.
When I was younger, I took penicillin daily. I had to cut the pills. I would often grab a plastic lid from some food container and use it as my cutting board for a while until my mother threw it away.
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Chris Sikk
having dreams about rocks
Member since September 2021
Posts: 73
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Post by Chris Sikk on Sept 28, 2021 14:33:25 GMT -5
Making a lot of my own products such as dishwasher detergent, clothes washing soap, hand lotion, etc. Store in glass jars. This is a goal that I have. Currently, I have a recipe to make my own eye glass cleaner that I have used a few times.
There is a store locally that allows you to refill detergents, soaps, etc. like some European countries, but I have yet to try it. I never really thought of making my own.
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Post by HankRocks on Sept 28, 2021 15:03:43 GMT -5
Ok - as far as recycling hacks;
Pine Needles - They don't compost too well so I use them as matting between raised beds in my garden. They have a natural ability to block weed growth, they are good to walk on with no mud or standing water and after about 3 to 4 years they do provide about an inch or so of compost.
Plastic lunchmeat containers(w/red top) - They hold just over 2 pounds of tumbled stones, have switched from Quart Ziplock bags. . Sold 4 - 2 pound batches at the Show back in August.
Swimming Pool Chem Buckets - They make very good rock storage buckets. Had the Pool Man who had a stop next door bring me his empties when he came by. I must have almost 20 of them with rocks. Only issue being the plastic handles which are not rated for the weight of rocks so I use them as static storage, only pulling a few rocks out as I need them.
End cuts of lumber, 2X4's, 4X4's, 4X6's - Make excellent rock gluing blocks for the rock saws.
Plastic ties from packing, toys and some small items- Use them in the garden to secure Tomato plants to cages.
Old Carpet Pad - Use it to line rock storage flats, especially minerals. Also cut out circles that fit into 5 gal buckets. Use them in Arkansas when crystal digging; foam pad then crystal, then another foam pad, etc, etc until bucket is filled. In addition to protecting the crystals it also serves to lighten the weight of the bucket.
Old or discarded Ceramic Tiles, 12x12's and 14X14's - Use them for covers on rock storage buckets, allows stacking as the tile will not deflect the way bucket lids do. Also keeps water from gathering on the bucket lids.
I am sure I must have a couple more.
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Post by stephan on Sept 28, 2021 17:41:17 GMT -5
Wonderin’ how long till humans have enough plastic and chemicals in ‘em to alter the genome to the point where we’ve grown our own aliens. : ) Considering the levels of Collective Insanity and Mass Hysteria going on these days, I'd say that ship has already sailed. Transhumanism In the latest version of "The War of the Worlds" (2019) It turns out that the aliens that attacked Earth and tried to destroy Humanity were actually humans from the future. If anyone read the book "Alien," the entire premise for them being out in space was to find oil. Not for energy, that problem had been solved. People still needed oil to make plastic, though. I can't recall this being made very clear in the movie.
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Post by stephan on Sept 28, 2021 17:44:52 GMT -5
Ok - as far as recycling hacks; Pine Needles - They don't compost too well so I use them as matting between raised beds in my garden. They have a natural ability to block weed growth, they are good to walk on with no mud or standing water and after about 3 to 4 years they do provide about an inch or so of compost. Plastic lunchmeat containers(w/red top) - They hold just over 2 pounds of tumbled stones, have switched from Quart Ziplock bags. . Sold 4 - 2 pound batches at the Show back in August. Swimming Pool Chem Buckets - They make very good rock storage buckets. Had the Pool Man who had a stop next door bring me his empties when he came by. I must have almost 20 of them with rocks. Only issue being the plastic handles which are not rated for the weight of rocks so I use them as static storage, only pulling a few rocks out as I need them. End cuts of lumber, 2X4's, 4X4's, 4X6's - Make excellent rock gluing blocks for the rock saws. Plastic ties from packing, toys and some small items- Use them in the garden to secure Tomato plants to cages. Old Carpet Pad - Use it to line rock storage flats, especially minerals. Also cut out circles that fit into 5 gal buckets. Use them in Arkansas when crystal digging; foam pad then crystal, then another foam pad, etc, etc until bucket is filled. In addition to protecting the crystals it also serves to lighten the weight of the bucket. Old or discarded Ceramic Tiles, 12x12's and 14X14's - Use them for covers on rock storage buckets, allows stacking as the tile will not deflect the way bucket lids do. Also keeps water from gathering on the bucket lids. I am sure I must have a couple more. I use pine needles and small twigs to start charcoal. No need for lighter fluid or one of those can contraptions. I avoid plastic as much as I can, but i love my yoghurt. Those containers are my Tupperware. I get things off/offer things on Freecycle.
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