There is a reason the earth-friendly mantra is "reduce, reuse, recycle". Having fewer things means less to throw away. Finding a new use for an old item allows you to save money and repurpose something that was just taking up space. Recycle is for those items that you do have and are finding difficult to repurpose. The last thing you want to do is consign the item to the landfill.
One of my coworkers proudly stated that the plasticware and cardboard containers provided by our company's food service is biodegradable. The cardboard is made from recycled paperboard, a positive move, but is coated in plastic so moist food can be added to the container for eating and storing. The cups, utensils and soup bowls are made from plant-based plastic PLA. On one hand, the corn starch-based items are made from a renewable resource. On the other hand, a home compost system is not going to break down PLA.
When I pointed out that unfortunate fact (the compostable plasticware will not break down in a backyard composter, only a commercial one), she informed me that it will biodegrade in a landfill. Unfortunately, that is not true. Most composting happens under aerobic conditions with water, heat and microbes with a nice stir to add oxygen occasionally. A landfill is lined with clay and plastic, items are packed in tightly and the few microbes found are working anaerobically, that is without oxygen. So no sunlight (for photodegradable items like plastic bags), no water and no oxygen means little breakdown is occurring in a landfill.
The truth is once an item is sent to the big hole in the ground, it just sits there. That is why "reduce, reuse and recycle" sends fewer things to the landfill, keeps more money in your pocket and stimulates the imagination (e.g., what can I do with a penny whistle, some old nails and a plastic cup starting to split). For more information on biological activity in landfills, visit the following links:
How Stuff Works (love this site)
Summary of Garbage Breakdown (about.com)
US Composting Council (technical but interesting page)
Showing posts with label composting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label composting. Show all posts
Friday, May 1, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
How green can you go?
Treading lighter on this singular planet of ours is a personal challenge of mine. While I am doing things that I had never conceived of before (e.g., bringing my own towel to work to dry my hands), I am looking for the next step to take. One of my most problematic areas is petroleum consumption. For me, this is more than just the gasoline in my car and the natural gas heating my home and my water; it includes all the plastic holding and wrapping my food. Learning ways to reduce my consumption is important to me, but this is a difficult thing in our oil-based society. (Challenge: think of one thing not touched by oil or oil-based products. Hint: clothing is not one of them.)
What about if you are just getting started? You would like to live greener, but do not know where to get started. There are many posts out there that give you hints, usually along the lines of:
These are easy things, the low-hanging fruit as many people say. However, I am not sure how many people really do these naughty things like let the water run while brushing teeth. This was never advice I had to take because my mom told me run the water only when I needed to wet the toothbrush, rinse the toothbrush and fill the cup to rinse my mouth.
The greatest advice that few people really emphasize is reduce the amount you use. This may be as simple as using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush rather than the inch suggested by the toothpaste manufacturer or as large as letting your car sit in the garage at least one day a week. If you usually take the car out every day of the week and sometimes multiple times a day to run errands, driving less has a greater effect than changing light bulbs (but CFLs help too).
Generate less garbage by using handkerchiefs, towels and napkins rather than using the disposable paper equivalents. Start composting rather than throwing away food. Think about not only the food but how it is packaged. Buying food with fewer wrappings and boxes means less to throw away or recycle.
Get at your ick factor. I am sure that the "if it's yellow, let it mellow" philosophy would not go down well in some households. Challenge yourself to try it anyway. How about cloth wipes rather than paper? For some people, that is too much, but urine is not dangerous and in fact, makes a great fertilizer. Just use cloth for urine wiping only and see how you like it. If I have offended your sensibilities, purchase toilet paper with the highest post-consumer recycled paper content you can find. Fewer trees will be cut down to wipe your bum.
Go old fashioned. Whether you use a drying rack or a clothesline, hang out your cold-wash-and-rinse laundry. If you mow your lawn, try a reel mower powered by human rather than gasoline or electric engine. I hear it is great exercise and nearly noiseless. Collect rain water and use it to wash your hair (so says my grandmother) or water the new shade trees you planted around the house. Shade is great for keeping the house cool in the summer. Bonus points for planting trees that produce something edible.
Get dirty. Who says you need a lawn? Go native (the naked part is optional) and use plants adapted to the area you are in. Generally, this means lower maintenance and less demand on water. Put in edibles. Be rebellious and put asparagus, beans and rhubarb on your front lawn. Personally, I think okra plants have gorgeous blossoms. Edible does not have to mean ugly. Put in herbs along the sidewalk and people might come from miles around just to walk past your house (and maybe take a sprig or two of basil, oregano and spearmint).
Try a greener item or idea that makes you a bit uncomfortable. You might find you like it. How do you know if you never try it? By extending your reach, you learn what you are capable of accomplishing as well as learning your limits. My colleague may have me beat in petroleum consumption with his constant bicycle usage, but I win in the nondisposable department (go cloth!)
Lest you think I left the frugal part behind--I bet you save money as well. See what trying something new will do for the planet and your bottom line.
What about if you are just getting started? You would like to live greener, but do not know where to get started. There are many posts out there that give you hints, usually along the lines of:
- Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth.
- Change your incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescents.
- Wash your laundry in cold water.
- Turn down your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Take showers rather than baths.
- Insulate your water heater and your exterior electrical outlets.
These are easy things, the low-hanging fruit as many people say. However, I am not sure how many people really do these naughty things like let the water run while brushing teeth. This was never advice I had to take because my mom told me run the water only when I needed to wet the toothbrush, rinse the toothbrush and fill the cup to rinse my mouth.
The greatest advice that few people really emphasize is reduce the amount you use. This may be as simple as using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush rather than the inch suggested by the toothpaste manufacturer or as large as letting your car sit in the garage at least one day a week. If you usually take the car out every day of the week and sometimes multiple times a day to run errands, driving less has a greater effect than changing light bulbs (but CFLs help too).
Generate less garbage by using handkerchiefs, towels and napkins rather than using the disposable paper equivalents. Start composting rather than throwing away food. Think about not only the food but how it is packaged. Buying food with fewer wrappings and boxes means less to throw away or recycle.
Get at your ick factor. I am sure that the "if it's yellow, let it mellow" philosophy would not go down well in some households. Challenge yourself to try it anyway. How about cloth wipes rather than paper? For some people, that is too much, but urine is not dangerous and in fact, makes a great fertilizer. Just use cloth for urine wiping only and see how you like it. If I have offended your sensibilities, purchase toilet paper with the highest post-consumer recycled paper content you can find. Fewer trees will be cut down to wipe your bum.
Go old fashioned. Whether you use a drying rack or a clothesline, hang out your cold-wash-and-rinse laundry. If you mow your lawn, try a reel mower powered by human rather than gasoline or electric engine. I hear it is great exercise and nearly noiseless. Collect rain water and use it to wash your hair (so says my grandmother) or water the new shade trees you planted around the house. Shade is great for keeping the house cool in the summer. Bonus points for planting trees that produce something edible.
Get dirty. Who says you need a lawn? Go native (the naked part is optional) and use plants adapted to the area you are in. Generally, this means lower maintenance and less demand on water. Put in edibles. Be rebellious and put asparagus, beans and rhubarb on your front lawn. Personally, I think okra plants have gorgeous blossoms. Edible does not have to mean ugly. Put in herbs along the sidewalk and people might come from miles around just to walk past your house (and maybe take a sprig or two of basil, oregano and spearmint).
Try a greener item or idea that makes you a bit uncomfortable. You might find you like it. How do you know if you never try it? By extending your reach, you learn what you are capable of accomplishing as well as learning your limits. My colleague may have me beat in petroleum consumption with his constant bicycle usage, but I win in the nondisposable department (go cloth!)
Lest you think I left the frugal part behind--I bet you save money as well. See what trying something new will do for the planet and your bottom line.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Unsustainable vermiculture
In 2008, I waxed poetic about my experiment in vermiculture and showed off all the lovely compost I received from my worms. Ah, how the tides have turned! Now worms are difficult to find and the cat poo fed to the little buggers just sits there. I suspect the worms suffered from a lack of attention as little as they need, compaction of their bedding and too much variability in the level of moisture in their enclosure. Even at the end of summer 2008, I noticed a slowdown in the amount of poop consumption and did not harvest as much finished compost in autumn. In fact, as I sorted worm from partially digested newspaper in October, the number of casings and worm eggs were severely lacking compared to the previous session with sorting worms from their casings.
I need to do more reading on vermiculture before buying more worms. While my first venture into worm farming ended in failure, learning from my mistakes is part of the human experience. I have shown that worms can compost cat poop and give me a way to turn it into a resource I can use in my yard. I just need figure out how to maintain it for longer than a few months.
I need to do more reading on vermiculture before buying more worms. While my first venture into worm farming ended in failure, learning from my mistakes is part of the human experience. I have shown that worms can compost cat poop and give me a way to turn it into a resource I can use in my yard. I just need figure out how to maintain it for longer than a few months.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Those unruly worms!
Earlier this month, I was so excited that my vermiculture experiment was going well. I harvested my first batch of black gold and was looking forward to more. However, after harvest, the worms decided to rebel. How can silly little worms rebel, you might ask. Ah, they are wriggly little nippers, I respond.
Prior to worm casting harvest, the worms stayed in their layer of newspaper, consumed cat waste and made nary a peep. Now, I have to chase worms back down to the bed and retrieve them from the collection basin below. Even after a couple days of light treatment (red worms are light phobic and nestle quite nicely in their newspaper bed when exposed to light), they are still making a run for the lid. I have not had this much trouble with the slimy little buggers since I first got them.
Hand-in-hand with the fleeing has been the reduction in eating. I did not anticipate that rearranging their bedding (and their position in the box) would cause them to decide they wanted a different home. Once the worms were settle, they stayed, I thought. They are disabusing me of that crazy notion.
How will I manage? Well, I plan more light exposure and lining the bottom of the upper bedding chamber with sheets of newspaper instead of shredded paper. If that does not work? I will have to accept the chase and retrieve method as a weekly duty. And just when I thought the worms were less trouble than the cats. At least not all of them are running for the outside at once. It's always a few that have to cause trouble, right?
Prior to worm casting harvest, the worms stayed in their layer of newspaper, consumed cat waste and made nary a peep. Now, I have to chase worms back down to the bed and retrieve them from the collection basin below. Even after a couple days of light treatment (red worms are light phobic and nestle quite nicely in their newspaper bed when exposed to light), they are still making a run for the lid. I have not had this much trouble with the slimy little buggers since I first got them.
Hand-in-hand with the fleeing has been the reduction in eating. I did not anticipate that rearranging their bedding (and their position in the box) would cause them to decide they wanted a different home. Once the worms were settle, they stayed, I thought. They are disabusing me of that crazy notion.
How will I manage? Well, I plan more light exposure and lining the bottom of the upper bedding chamber with sheets of newspaper instead of shredded paper. If that does not work? I will have to accept the chase and retrieve method as a weekly duty. And just when I thought the worms were less trouble than the cats. At least not all of them are running for the outside at once. It's always a few that have to cause trouble, right?
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Update on my vermiculture experiment
Earlier this year, I decided to purchase a Pet Poo Converter and some red worms, and compost my two cats' poop. My experiment started in March 2008 and I finally decided to harvest the worm castings in my compost unit. It looked dark, rich and nothing like the shredded newspaper with which I started. Since many sites I consulted when starting noted concerns about using cat poo in composting, I decided to refrain from using the worm compost in edibles and limit its use to my landscaping plants. I have plans for edible landscaping, but most of the items currently planted in my yard are for decorative, wildlife or shading purposes.
In particular, one of my trees, my mountain ash, was late in leafing out this spring and has not yet bloomed like its counterparts have. While many web sites advise against fertilizing trees, I decided to add compost around the tree since it is not the same as adding a powdered fertilizer, which is a quick shot. Compost releases nutrients over time and will hopefully enhance my tree's growth.
In harvesting the worm castings, I chose the passive method: move the well-used bedding to one side of the composter, add in fresh bedding and only feed the worms where the fresh bedding is present. Three weeks later, I decided to remove the finished compost from the worm bed. Note that this was not a quick scoop up and use chore. No, despite moving the feed over to one side, many worms were still present in the compost I wanted to remove. In addition, I found many teeny, tiny worms in the compost. While this is a great thing as my worms are reproducing, the babies are much harder to see and thus, I took time to look at each handful of compost to remove the tiny worms. (I did decide to wear gloves when sorting through the compost and saved myself from the girly "Ew! I touched a slimy worm" reaction.) Since I wanted to preserve as many babies as possible, the careful scanning and moving to the good side of the worm bed took time. Regardless, I know I did not move them all, but if I moved at least 50% of the number present, I will call it good.
A few interesting things I noted as I meticulously looked through the compost:
Like humans, worms do not like to deal with cat hair balls. I found quite a few in the finished compost. Of course, these are not exactly like the ones I clean up on my carpet...
The crushed eggshells I added to the worm bed do not really seem to be necessary. I found many left in the finished side. No worries, the trees and plants like eggshells too.
So, what was my end product? Half of my worm bed yielded the compost in the picture below:
Beautiful, black, crumbly compost just begging to be used immediately. So, I spread it under my 28-inch tree and called it good!
To give you some idea of what I work with for my Pet Poo Converter, here is a shot of the closed lid, what rests on my basement floor:
And here is the bed now after removing the finished compost and replacing it with freshly shredded and wetted newspaper. I use only black and white newsprint for the worms. Much of the black crumbly stuff on the right side is due to me moving worms, tiny or otherwise, from the finished compost side.
So there you have it: my productive worm bed and their black gold. I am really excited this project is working out and the worms are happy to consume and reproduce. There is still the compost tea in the bottom of the worm bed I have not yet used, but since my rain gauge says we had 2.5 inches of rain in the last two days, I will wait before diluting the compost tea and watering my plants.
Edit: I checked the bottom of the worm bed four days later and was surprised to find many of my worms had escaped from the top section of the unit. I ended up having to move them back by hand onto the bed and cursing their rebellious existence. Why could they not stay where they belong? So much for only compost tea collecting in the bottom.
In particular, one of my trees, my mountain ash, was late in leafing out this spring and has not yet bloomed like its counterparts have. While many web sites advise against fertilizing trees, I decided to add compost around the tree since it is not the same as adding a powdered fertilizer, which is a quick shot. Compost releases nutrients over time and will hopefully enhance my tree's growth.
In harvesting the worm castings, I chose the passive method: move the well-used bedding to one side of the composter, add in fresh bedding and only feed the worms where the fresh bedding is present. Three weeks later, I decided to remove the finished compost from the worm bed. Note that this was not a quick scoop up and use chore. No, despite moving the feed over to one side, many worms were still present in the compost I wanted to remove. In addition, I found many teeny, tiny worms in the compost. While this is a great thing as my worms are reproducing, the babies are much harder to see and thus, I took time to look at each handful of compost to remove the tiny worms. (I did decide to wear gloves when sorting through the compost and saved myself from the girly "Ew! I touched a slimy worm" reaction.) Since I wanted to preserve as many babies as possible, the careful scanning and moving to the good side of the worm bed took time. Regardless, I know I did not move them all, but if I moved at least 50% of the number present, I will call it good.
A few interesting things I noted as I meticulously looked through the compost:
Like humans, worms do not like to deal with cat hair balls. I found quite a few in the finished compost. Of course, these are not exactly like the ones I clean up on my carpet...
The crushed eggshells I added to the worm bed do not really seem to be necessary. I found many left in the finished side. No worries, the trees and plants like eggshells too.
So, what was my end product? Half of my worm bed yielded the compost in the picture below:
Beautiful, black, crumbly compost just begging to be used immediately. So, I spread it under my 28-inch tree and called it good!
To give you some idea of what I work with for my Pet Poo Converter, here is a shot of the closed lid, what rests on my basement floor:
And here is the bed now after removing the finished compost and replacing it with freshly shredded and wetted newspaper. I use only black and white newsprint for the worms. Much of the black crumbly stuff on the right side is due to me moving worms, tiny or otherwise, from the finished compost side.
So there you have it: my productive worm bed and their black gold. I am really excited this project is working out and the worms are happy to consume and reproduce. There is still the compost tea in the bottom of the worm bed I have not yet used, but since my rain gauge says we had 2.5 inches of rain in the last two days, I will wait before diluting the compost tea and watering my plants.
Edit: I checked the bottom of the worm bed four days later and was surprised to find many of my worms had escaped from the top section of the unit. I ended up having to move them back by hand onto the bed and cursing their rebellious existence. Why could they not stay where they belong? So much for only compost tea collecting in the bottom.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Measuring the green in my life
I like to reflect on how my behavior has changed to reflect a more green philosophy on life. While I am far from perfect, the steps I have taken have been green in more than one fashion, better for the environment and my pocketbook. Some of the ways I have chosen are not without their frustration, but seeing where I am and where I would like to be give guidance to my actions. Therefore, where do I stand now?
Green behaviors fully integrated into my lifestyle:
Composting including food and cat waste
Purchasing used items including clothing, gifts, furniture, cookware and more.
Growing my own vegetables and fruit
Harvesting rain water
Collecting water in bathroom and from washer for reuse
Bringing my own bags for store purchases
Reusing and repurposing items (e.g., plastic jugs)
Recycling items I cannot reuse or repurpose
Driving the speed limit and combining errands (saves gasoline and carbon emissions)
Planting native trees and plants around the house
Cooking and baking from scratch (minimizes packaging I throw away)
Mowing my lawn with an electric mower
Eliminating chemical treatments for the lawn and yard (with the rare spritz of Roundup or sprinkle of Sevin--none so far this year)
Drying my laundry outdoors
Buying only renewable energy from my electric utility
Flushing the toilet only when necessary
Installing compact fluorescent bulbs when incandescents die in light fixtures
Using cloth napkins, handkerchiefs and towels rather than paper products
Green behaviors I am working on:
Buying and using locally grown food products--I find these a challenge as I am not as fond of vegetables as others are, and new types of veggies overwhelm my ability to eat them. Plus, farmer's markets are more expensive than grocery stores.
Reducing the amount of plastic I buy--So many items are packaged in plastic, I find it difficult to avoid bringing it home with me. I seek alternatives (e.g., buy the mustard in a glass jar rather than plastic), but many times I grab an item before realizing the extent of the plastic I brought home.
Carpooling--This has been a challenge as finding a carpooling buddy has not been easy. I have a potential driver, who I will pay for each trip. However, we have only carpooled once and it will take some time to establish a relationship for the long term.
Turning off lights and other electronics not in use--Generally, I am good about this, but I do forget. Practice makes for better behavior!
Making and using my own cleaners--I used the last of my toilet bowl cleaner and am looking forward to using vinegar and baking soda in the bathroom.
Green behaviors to pursue:
Reducing the clutter in my home--Frankly, I have too much stuff. Some should be given away, others could be sold. Regardless, simplicity in the home will only encourage me to minimize what I own, maintain and clean, while reducing my ecological footprint.
Learning to make items myself--While I can competently sew, I do not know how to knit, crochet or can food. In an effort to be more self-sufficient, I would like to make more items myself like socks and can foodstuffs I have grown.
Installing a rain garden or two--I keep talking about this, but have not executed plans. This year, I have gotten closer to creating one, but will likely begin smothering grass in late summer/early autumn to set the foundation for placing a rain garden next spring.
I have a good start on some basic green behavior, but looking around my home and at my list above, I have a distance to go. There are so many other areas to explore like sustainability (e.g., do I use peat moss, which is readily available but destroys bogs when harvested, or coir, which is renewable but more expensive?) and very difficult choices like installing solar collectors for heating water and generating electricity. Money plays a factor in my choices and I have to weigh my current economics and future finances against a return on investment I will not see for decades.
Green behaviors fully integrated into my lifestyle:
Composting including food and cat waste
Purchasing used items including clothing, gifts, furniture, cookware and more.
Growing my own vegetables and fruit
Harvesting rain water
Collecting water in bathroom and from washer for reuse
Bringing my own bags for store purchases
Reusing and repurposing items (e.g., plastic jugs)
Recycling items I cannot reuse or repurpose
Driving the speed limit and combining errands (saves gasoline and carbon emissions)
Planting native trees and plants around the house
Cooking and baking from scratch (minimizes packaging I throw away)
Mowing my lawn with an electric mower
Eliminating chemical treatments for the lawn and yard (with the rare spritz of Roundup or sprinkle of Sevin--none so far this year)
Drying my laundry outdoors
Buying only renewable energy from my electric utility
Flushing the toilet only when necessary
Installing compact fluorescent bulbs when incandescents die in light fixtures
Using cloth napkins, handkerchiefs and towels rather than paper products
Green behaviors I am working on:
Buying and using locally grown food products--I find these a challenge as I am not as fond of vegetables as others are, and new types of veggies overwhelm my ability to eat them. Plus, farmer's markets are more expensive than grocery stores.
Reducing the amount of plastic I buy--So many items are packaged in plastic, I find it difficult to avoid bringing it home with me. I seek alternatives (e.g., buy the mustard in a glass jar rather than plastic), but many times I grab an item before realizing the extent of the plastic I brought home.
Carpooling--This has been a challenge as finding a carpooling buddy has not been easy. I have a potential driver, who I will pay for each trip. However, we have only carpooled once and it will take some time to establish a relationship for the long term.
Turning off lights and other electronics not in use--Generally, I am good about this, but I do forget. Practice makes for better behavior!
Making and using my own cleaners--I used the last of my toilet bowl cleaner and am looking forward to using vinegar and baking soda in the bathroom.
Green behaviors to pursue:
Reducing the clutter in my home--Frankly, I have too much stuff. Some should be given away, others could be sold. Regardless, simplicity in the home will only encourage me to minimize what I own, maintain and clean, while reducing my ecological footprint.
Learning to make items myself--While I can competently sew, I do not know how to knit, crochet or can food. In an effort to be more self-sufficient, I would like to make more items myself like socks and can foodstuffs I have grown.
Installing a rain garden or two--I keep talking about this, but have not executed plans. This year, I have gotten closer to creating one, but will likely begin smothering grass in late summer/early autumn to set the foundation for placing a rain garden next spring.
I have a good start on some basic green behavior, but looking around my home and at my list above, I have a distance to go. There are so many other areas to explore like sustainability (e.g., do I use peat moss, which is readily available but destroys bogs when harvested, or coir, which is renewable but more expensive?) and very difficult choices like installing solar collectors for heating water and generating electricity. Money plays a factor in my choices and I have to weigh my current economics and future finances against a return on investment I will not see for decades.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Update on my pursuit of green living
My red worms are still alive. This is news because they did not seem to be eating and I was not sure I had many of them left. However, the worm sign is still there, they try to escape when the cat poo disappears and there are no funky smells coming from the composting unit. While the worms are not consuming the quantity of my cats' poop as I had hoped, I am glad I have not killed them. The ability to consume can be supplemented with additional purchased red worms. However, the frugal option is to let nature take its course and let the worms reproduce at their own pace. The Pet Poo Converter is not the resounding success I was hoping for (i.e., no more plastic bags!), but it is still functioning. I can only hope that time will tell if I have a really expensive plastic box in my basement or a viable alternative to flushing cat poop down the toilet.
Another green step I have taken--my single rain barrel will soon have a twin. The same organization from which I purchased my first rain barrel (with installation) I have now purchased a second. Since the rain water diverter allows me to have tandem barrels, I wanted to install a second barrel. With three trees planted for less than two years and several plantings around the house plus a small vegetable garden, I can use all the rain water I can store. The most frugal part of this second rain barrel installation: I will be doing it myself. My dad gave me the four cinder blocks required, I will purchase the length of hose to divert the water to the barrel and in just 30 minutes, I can store 110 gallons of water rather than 55 gallons.
I have been doing a lot of weed pulling. While I try to be green and mostly organic, for the truly difficult and stubborn weeds, I have a small spray bottle of Roundup (my full disclosure statement). I have noticed that spring is a really good time for removing weeds since the freeze/thaw of the ground plus warm weather is just starting means it is easier to remove unwanted plants. I will still have to spend additional time this spring, summer and fall staying ahead of the weeds, but more preventative work now means less work later.
I have not purchased plants, seeds, soil amendments or trees for my property yet, but that is on my list of things to do. My outdoor composter has not progressed much, but more items are added every week and with the warmer weather, the possibility I might have self-generated compost grows. I have decided to skip the corn gluten treatment for my lawn this spring, but have not gotten around to the soil aeration. This project may be pushed into May or June, depending how the possible rain gardens shape up. I need to select and order the native plants for my front yard and for my planned rain gardens. This is all new to me so I may be taking on more than I can handle.
This weekend may not be too green. While I hope to reuse the trim taken from my front window, the first one to be replaced on my house, the chemicals involved in stripping the finish from the wood are distinctly unfriendly. Still, I am interested in trying to strip and refinish my first bits of wood, and if that works, two wood tables (one solid, one veneer) are next on my list.
Another green step I have taken--my single rain barrel will soon have a twin. The same organization from which I purchased my first rain barrel (with installation) I have now purchased a second. Since the rain water diverter allows me to have tandem barrels, I wanted to install a second barrel. With three trees planted for less than two years and several plantings around the house plus a small vegetable garden, I can use all the rain water I can store. The most frugal part of this second rain barrel installation: I will be doing it myself. My dad gave me the four cinder blocks required, I will purchase the length of hose to divert the water to the barrel and in just 30 minutes, I can store 110 gallons of water rather than 55 gallons.
I have been doing a lot of weed pulling. While I try to be green and mostly organic, for the truly difficult and stubborn weeds, I have a small spray bottle of Roundup (my full disclosure statement). I have noticed that spring is a really good time for removing weeds since the freeze/thaw of the ground plus warm weather is just starting means it is easier to remove unwanted plants. I will still have to spend additional time this spring, summer and fall staying ahead of the weeds, but more preventative work now means less work later.
I have not purchased plants, seeds, soil amendments or trees for my property yet, but that is on my list of things to do. My outdoor composter has not progressed much, but more items are added every week and with the warmer weather, the possibility I might have self-generated compost grows. I have decided to skip the corn gluten treatment for my lawn this spring, but have not gotten around to the soil aeration. This project may be pushed into May or June, depending how the possible rain gardens shape up. I need to select and order the native plants for my front yard and for my planned rain gardens. This is all new to me so I may be taking on more than I can handle.
This weekend may not be too green. While I hope to reuse the trim taken from my front window, the first one to be replaced on my house, the chemicals involved in stripping the finish from the wood are distinctly unfriendly. Still, I am interested in trying to strip and refinish my first bits of wood, and if that works, two wood tables (one solid, one veneer) are next on my list.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
My new venture: vermiculture or worm farming
After some runaround and voicemail messages expressing my dissatisfaction about receiving the worms before their home, I finally have the Tumbleweed Pet Poo Converter and 1 pound of red worms to live and work in it. I made the decision to get the Pet Poo Converter to eliminate a heavy use of plastic bags in my home: ferrying cat poop from the basement to the toilet on the main floor for flushing. It has worked all right, but if I really want to cut down on my plastic bag use, figuring out a way to eliminate the ferrying (forgive the pun) would be wonderful. I was looking at composters.com and found the Pet Poo Converter. Although many do not recommend composting cat poop for the possible infectious diseases, I have had my cats for over a decade without problems and to prevent issues with toxoplasmosis, I will use the composted poop on nonedible plants.
The Pet Poo Converter would supplement the action of my standard composting unit, which is currently frozen in the back of my house. I have been adding to it, but not much is happening over winter and I do not think I have reached critical mass for really cooking. This way, my plants and trees will have fertilizer and I only need to buy compost for the vegetable garden.
While the Pet Poo Converter is itself a large box of plastic, it is a one-time purchase that should yield many worm castings and compost tea. (Do they call it tea because it steeps?) Both liquid and solid can be used for fertilize. The red worms mailed to me were alive after their five-day trip so I expect some action in the little farm I started. However, it will not happen quickly. Therefore, I will still have to ferry solid waste to the toilet, but hope that the worms will adapt to their new home and take on their task with gusto.
For more information on vermiculture, getting started with indoor (or outdoor) worm composting or to order a Pet Poo Converter yourself, visit the following web sites:
www.composters.com
www.redwormcomposting.com
www.charmeck.org
I will report on my progress to get the worms and cat poop to work together in harmony and see how this whole process comes together. (And maybe get over my girly reaction not to touch the worms.)
The Pet Poo Converter would supplement the action of my standard composting unit, which is currently frozen in the back of my house. I have been adding to it, but not much is happening over winter and I do not think I have reached critical mass for really cooking. This way, my plants and trees will have fertilizer and I only need to buy compost for the vegetable garden.
While the Pet Poo Converter is itself a large box of plastic, it is a one-time purchase that should yield many worm castings and compost tea. (Do they call it tea because it steeps?) Both liquid and solid can be used for fertilize. The red worms mailed to me were alive after their five-day trip so I expect some action in the little farm I started. However, it will not happen quickly. Therefore, I will still have to ferry solid waste to the toilet, but hope that the worms will adapt to their new home and take on their task with gusto.
For more information on vermiculture, getting started with indoor (or outdoor) worm composting or to order a Pet Poo Converter yourself, visit the following web sites:
www.composters.com
www.redwormcomposting.com
www.charmeck.org
I will report on my progress to get the worms and cat poop to work together in harmony and see how this whole process comes together. (And maybe get over my girly reaction not to touch the worms.)
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Unexpected compost contributions
My workplace is fairly progressive regarding recycling. Every year, we have a month dedicated to deleting and purging old and unneeded records. Recycling bins are set up all over the building to make it easier for employees to place their paper there rather than throwing it away. Any office supplies no longer needed are placed in boxes to be made available to others for reuse. While there are extra paper recycling bins made available during this time, there always some present in each department grouping. Communal garbage cans usually always have a comingled recycling can right next to it. Employees can recycle glass, plastic (#1-7) and paper in the same bin.
My department also reuses paper. Any paper with printing on one side is placed in a paper holder next to the printer so a person can print using the remaining blank side of paper. This is a simple thing but few other departments practice this method as recycling is easier.
However, there is no bin for composting food waste. Now, much of the food waste is unable to be composted (fat or meat), but many people also bring fruit to work. This means peels and cores end up in the garbage because how else is a person supposed to dispose of it? One of my colleagues eats a banana a day and I asked her to start giving me the banana peels. This way, they were not going to the garbage and my composter received some new contributions. Since the pile inside my composter is small, I need all the help I can get to bring it to critical cooking mass.
This same colleague prepared vegetable trays during the holidays and saved two ice cream buckets worth of peelings and veggie inards. When she told me after the holidays she had a gift for me, I wondered what it was. Then she revealed she had saved these compostable items for me and I was surprised. First, she made the effort to save them for me and second, I imagine other people would be thinking "Ew! Why would someone want vegetable bits?". Truly, I was happy she thought of me and saved her carrot peelings and green pepper inards. The more I add to my compost pile, the sooner I might get some compost to use in my garden. And I know the scraps would have gone in the garbage normally so compostable items were prevented from going into a landfill.
I intend on bringing an ice cream bucket to work and asking (harrassing?) others into adding to it. I would like to rescue more compostable stuff from the garbage if I can. It would be wonderful if my workplace would consider this idea as well but I will start within my department first. The company has extensive grounds including landscaped areas. I would like to think that they could use compost to help the plants grow and maintain soil health.
Do you view vegetable peelings given to you by friends or coworkers as a gift or poor idea? I would love to read your thoughts.
My department also reuses paper. Any paper with printing on one side is placed in a paper holder next to the printer so a person can print using the remaining blank side of paper. This is a simple thing but few other departments practice this method as recycling is easier.
However, there is no bin for composting food waste. Now, much of the food waste is unable to be composted (fat or meat), but many people also bring fruit to work. This means peels and cores end up in the garbage because how else is a person supposed to dispose of it? One of my colleagues eats a banana a day and I asked her to start giving me the banana peels. This way, they were not going to the garbage and my composter received some new contributions. Since the pile inside my composter is small, I need all the help I can get to bring it to critical cooking mass.
This same colleague prepared vegetable trays during the holidays and saved two ice cream buckets worth of peelings and veggie inards. When she told me after the holidays she had a gift for me, I wondered what it was. Then she revealed she had saved these compostable items for me and I was surprised. First, she made the effort to save them for me and second, I imagine other people would be thinking "Ew! Why would someone want vegetable bits?". Truly, I was happy she thought of me and saved her carrot peelings and green pepper inards. The more I add to my compost pile, the sooner I might get some compost to use in my garden. And I know the scraps would have gone in the garbage normally so compostable items were prevented from going into a landfill.
I intend on bringing an ice cream bucket to work and asking (harrassing?) others into adding to it. I would like to rescue more compostable stuff from the garbage if I can. It would be wonderful if my workplace would consider this idea as well but I will start within my department first. The company has extensive grounds including landscaped areas. I would like to think that they could use compost to help the plants grow and maintain soil health.
Do you view vegetable peelings given to you by friends or coworkers as a gift or poor idea? I would love to read your thoughts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
