#compostable plastic straight straws

[good2gobags]

Eco-friendly bags redefining sustainability in 2024

As environmental awareness continues to grow, more people are seeking ways to reduce their carbon footprint. One significant way to contribute to a healthier planet is by choosing eco-friendly products, especially when it comes to everyday items like eco-friendly garbage bags, eco-friendly packaging bags, and even compostable plastic straight straws. This article explores the best eco-friendly bags for 2024, focusing on eco-friendly garbage bags, eco-friendly packaging bags, and compostable plastic straight straws.

The Importance of Biodegradable Materials

Biodegradable materials play a crucial role in reducing waste and environmental pollution. Traditional plastic products, such as garbage bags and plastic straws, can take hundreds of years to decompose, during which they release harmful chemicals into the environment. Eco-friendly garbage bags made from bio-compostable materials. These materials, often derived from plant starches or other renewable resources, break down naturally without leaving harmful residues. This not only helps reduce the amount of waste in landfills but also minimizes the carbon footprint associated with waste management.

Benefits of Compostable Products

Compostable products, such as plastic straight straws, offer a practical and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastics. Compostable straws decompose naturally, reducing plastic pollution and the burden on waste management systems. These products are often made from polylactic acid (PLA) derived from renewable resources like corn starch, which breaks down in composting conditions. This makes them an excellent choice for eco-conscious consumers looking to make small but impactful changes in their daily lives.

Good2go sets itself apart in the market through a steadfast dedication to both quality and sustainability. Their range of products, including eco-friendly garbage bags, packaging bags, and compostable plastic straws, is meticulously designed to not only meet but exceed stringent environmental standards. Each item is crafted with care, ensuring durability and functionality without compromising on their commitment to reducing environmental impact. By prioritizing sustainable materials and manufacturing processes, Good2go not only delivers superior products but also contributes positively to the environment, advocating for a greener future.

With each eco-friendly choice we make, we forge a path towards a greener, more sustainable world. Let’s embark on this journey together, reshaping our shopping habits for the betterment of our planet and future generations.

[bumblebeeappletree]

Guest presenter, Jude, shares some beginner tips on how anyone can get a garden growing from the ground up.

Jude’s garden is pumping with enough fruit and vegetables to feed the family and share the excess, but it all started with a single row of snow peas. Jude says, “you can build (a garden) anywhere, as long as you've got these magic ingredients: Sunshine, organic materials, cardboard, water and some hard work.”

Jude revisits the first bed he created to transform it into something much better. “I made the beginner’s mistake of planting straight into the soil. I didn’t know about adding extra nutrients and how important soil is,” says Jude. But with this knowledge now in hand, he’s reusing this space to build a new bed from scratch. This is a no-dig method with layers of nutrients that you can plant straight into!

Suppress the weeds:

You’ll want to start a new bed without any weeds. Jude’s method doesn’t require poisoning or even pulling out the weeds! Instead, he smothers them with love.

1. Leave the weeds where they are and trim them down to ground level with sheers or a mower.

2. Give them their last meal by adding a layer of manure - Jude uses pelletised chicken manure.

3. Give them a final drink of water.

4. Cover them in a layer of cardboard and water again.

“Feeding them might seem a bit weird,” says Jude, “but by giving them heaps of nutrients and then smothering them, they’ll die even faster.” Plants need light to live, but the cardboard is thick enough to block the light completely. With added nutrients and water, the weeds will attempt a big growth spurt but without any sunlight, they'll die and break down which adds nutrients back into the soil.

Large cardboard boxes can be found at bike or furniture stores, but even smaller boxes will work. Remove any plastic tape on the cardboard and make sure the pieces overlap completely to ensure there are no gaps to let the light through.

Build the soil in layers:

1. Straw - Jude uses straw from his guinea pig pen which has aged over a few weeks.

2. Compost - Jude uses mushroom compost, a waste product from the mushroom industry.

3. Straw - This final layer will protect the soil from new weeds and moisture loss.

4. Water the bed again - and it’s ready to plant into!

No matter what types of mulches or manures you use, Jude says, “the more diverse your mix, the more diverse the microorganisms living in your soil... As all those layers of organic material breakdown, the soil and vegies will get better and better.”

Jude’s Garden is already packed with produce, but he says, “I’m excited to have this whole new garden to grow... I’ve been wanting to increase my lettuce production and this spot is perfect because it’s so full of nutrients.” We can’t wait to see the never-ending salad supply come from this patch!

Filmed on Dharug & Gundungurra Country | Leura, NSW

[sciencestyled]

When Mother Nature Met Picasso: A Tale of Trash, Treasure, and Trippy Terrariums

Alright, class, buckle up and sip your overpriced, triple-shot, no-foam lattes because today we’re diving headfirst into the mad world of eco-art in environmental education. It’s like if Banksy and Bill Nye had a baby that was really into compost. Imagine turning your old, sad flip-flops and last year's iPhone into a modern masterpiece. It’s not crazy—it’s eco-art!

First off, let’s address the elephant in the room—or should I say, the recycled plastic elephant sculpture that’s currently residing in the middle of campus. This eco-art is not your grandma’s watercolor painting of the garden—unless your grandma is using biodegradable paint on fallen leaves. These artists are the MacGyvers of the art world, turning your discarded dental floss into highbrow cultural statements about decay and renewal. Seriously, one person's trash is another’s gallery feature.

Now, the whole shebang operates on the premise that if you teach a man to fish, he’ll eat for a day, but if you teach him to create an art installation from the fishing nets and plastic bottles he finds, suddenly, he’s got a sustainable business model and a feature on Vice. This is where environmental science moonwalks into art class and starts a conga line. We’re talking about projects that slap harder than a meme about Leonardo DiCaprio’s dating habits.

Consider this: someone figured out how to make gorgeous dyes from algae. Yeah, algae—the stuff you scraped off your roommate’s unwashed dishes. Now, it’s not just pond scum; it’s Pantone’s Color of the Year. And let’s not forget the sculptures in public parks made of recycled metals that look like something straight out of a Transformers movie. Instead of Optimus Prime saying, "Autobots, roll out," he’s probably like, "Recyclables, break down!"

These artworks are not only a treat for the eyes but also a nifty tool for education. Picture this: a school field trip to an art exhibit where the floor is literally lava—because the artist wants to talk about global warming. It’s a clever ruse to get kids to leap from tile to tile, dodging the ‘lava’ while learning about carbon footprints and renewable energy. They're literally jumping into action!

And for the interactive enthusiasts, imagine a VR experience where you can swim through the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. It’s like playing Subnautica, except it’s depressingly real and the sea creatures are judging you for your plastic use. This is how we turn apathetic Instagram scrollers into eco-warriors. They're not just double-tapping on nature pics; they're learning that every plastic straw could be the villain in a sea turtle’s survival story.

But let's zoom out for a moment. The big picture here is about merging science education and art to craft a narrative that sticks harder than the gum under your theater seat. It’s storytelling with a purpose. The same way Rick and Morty expose the absurdity of existence through burp-laden dialogues, eco-art exposes the absurdity of waste by making you stare at a chandelier made from beer bottles.

Now, if you think this all sounds a bit too idealistic, like believing you’ll actually use your gym membership, consider the alternative. A world where art is just pretty and doesn’t make you feel like you could be the hero in a Captain Planet reboot. Boring, right? So, we need this oddball fusion of creativity and environmental savvy.

So next time you’re about to throw away your Starbucks cup, think: could this be part of a mosaic in a hip downtown gallery? Could my old textbooks become an installation about the death of print media, hauntingly lit in the corner of the library? The answer should be a resounding yes, louder than the sound of influencers finding a new trend to jump on.

And as we wrap this up, remember: eco-art isn’t just about making you feel guilty for your carbon footprint. It’s about seeing potential and beauty in the discarded, the overlooked, and the everyday. It’s a conversation starter, sitting you down at the cool kids’ table and whispering, “What if saving the world was just a matter of perspective?”

So, class, as we leave today, ask yourself: Is your next project just a class assignment, or is it the seed of an eco-art piece that’ll land you on the front page of Reddit? With a hot glue gun, a vision, and a weird amount of bottle caps, you could literally build a better tomorrow—or at least a killer art project.

There, lesson adjourned! Don’t forget to recycle your thoughts—and your coffee cups!

[thehubby]

Couch to Compost: Composting 101 - What You Need

Getting started with personal composting is pretty easy. (Those looking to start a professional compost farm may want to obtain better resources.) Here's what you'll need to start composting:

- "Brown" matter such as dried leaves (best), dried grass/straw, black and white newspaper (the colored inks can be toxic), or sawdust from non-treated wood. You can get by with just leaves, but a mixture of 2-3 of these is better. For leaves (which I generally make out to 66-75%+ of my brown material), you need actual brown leaves, the kind that typically fall off in autumn. If you cut leaves from vines or trees and they dry out and are still green, they're not a brown, even though they are dead and dry. Green leaves and grass have chlorophyll in them, and that is comparatively high in nitrogen, which is no good for a "brown". Start gathering leaves as soon as they fall in your area and are dry. You want lots of these for the coming spring, or if you intend to boldly compost over winter.

- "Green" matter such as leftover fruit and vegetable parts, fresh grass clippings, or flowers. (Unless your every meal is a TV dinner, you have these, trust me.) Organic isn't necessary, but all "greens" should be not sprayed with insecticides or herbicides that you know of, since those could be hazardous to you or your plants. Anything you buy in the store for consumption should be fine, and anything you harvest yourself from un-sprayed areas works. "Green" in this case just refers to the type of matter, which still retains moisture and was most recently in a near-life condition. You can compost plant material of any color like peppers, tomatoes, bananas, apples, eggplant, berries, dandelions, and so on.

- A spot to place your compost. This is likely the only problem that you may actually face. If you have little or no yard space, finding a spot to compost might be tough. An apartment balcony might work (be considerate of your neighbors), but you do not want to do this inside. If your spot is on open ground, be aware that you will kill your grass there because all sunlight will be blocked for a lengthy period. To keep pests out and make it easy to move your compost when desired, I recommend using a bin. Fancy, expensive ones can be found online, but I personally use a 20-gallon Craftsman bin that runs about $20. If you use a bin, you'll want to drill holes in it, so... Borrow a drill, too.

- OPTIONAL BUT REALLY RECOMMENDED: Something to mix your compost with. I use a gardening claw, which is technically called a hand cultivator, and can be had for less than $10. It just allows you to stir up the pile, and make sure that oxygen gets to all spots occasionally, which is important. If your compost pile is large (like, much larger than that bin I was talking about), you might want a pitchfork. You can get by without this entirely, but your compost will be a slow, slow process that could take months or years per batch. We have a nearby neighbor who does this. Just one big pile where they dump food and such. I don't think I've noticed much progress on their pile all summer.

- OPTIONAL: Gardening gloves. (Dishwashing gloves can work. Thin, disposable gloves like nitrile, vinyl and latex are handy for preparing food to add to the compost, but will easily tear on straw or twigs when working with the compost pile itself.) Early on, your compost may smell, it may be slimy, it will definitely leave dirt, mud and food stains. There will be times you want to just dig in with your hands and mix it up really good. That's a lot more pleasant when your hands are covered, not to mention safer if you have any hand sores or wounds.

- OPTIONAL: One or more small, cheap plastic lidded buckets (a gallon or less is fine) are handy for storing your food waste until you're actually ready to add it. Sure, you can just toss it in your pile straight from the kitchen, and a lot of folks do, but you'll get far more mileage if you pulverize it a bit first, which means some of it may accumulate until you're ready to do that. Speaking of pulverizing...

- OPTIONAL: A food processor (not blender) is not required, but very recommended. This can massively increase your composting speed by pulverizing your food ahead of time. It's like pre-chewing the food for all your little organisms, but oh lord please don't chew it yourself, use this thing. Check your local Goodwill or thrift store. We picked up one there for under $10 from, like, the 1970s that operates like a champ.

If you have the first three items on this list, you're ready to enlist the forces of nature to your side in this battle to... Grow things, I guess. The next post in our series will tell you how to do just that.

[swaggydaisy]

eco-friendly items:)

DISCLAIMER: i have products that do create potential waste. because sometimes my parents buy things for me, and i don’t wanna end up creating MORE waste by throwing the item away, so i use it all. if you have products that you’re still using, i recommend using it all first. we’re all constantly learning new things. these are just some ideas and tips that you can follow!

SUNSCREEN

i mentioned this is my last post but there are sunscreens that can be potentially damaging to coral reefs and yourself. toxic chemicals such as oxybenzone and octinoxate kills a coral reef.  LOOK FOR SUNSCREENS that are mineral based that have titanium dioxide and zinc oxide and have a “reef safe or friendly” label. even if you don’t live by an ocean, you can still support these companies and protect yourself!

STRAWS

so i brought some reusable straws on sand cloud, and i hate to say this, but i rarelyyy use them ahaha. cause i always end up forgetting! so if you’re like me don’t even bother getting a straw and a lid when you’re at a restaurant. 

SKIN CARE

skin care products can create a lot of waste... especially with plastic.if you’re using makeup removers, i recommend using reusuable ones or ones that are totally compostable. i’ve actually seen some in walmart, but i’m not sure if they sell it anymore. here are some AMAZING skin care products that i recommend using.

Krave Beauty

Youth to the People

The Ordinary (this is so freaking life changing btw)

The Body Shop

Kinship

If you guys are interested in more skin care products please go watch Hyram. 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2sYit3cZ2CuD_8FHYH7O_Q

HAIR CARE

there are options such as using shampoo bars and conditioning bars to create less plastic waste. 

BIRTHDAY BAGS

okay this is lowkey kind of random. but whenever i receive gifts, i always keep the bags. that way i can reuse them for my family or friends. not only does this save you a bit of money, but it creates less plastic/paper waste.

SHOPPING BAG

imma be straight up honest with you, i don’t really do this one much because i’m not those moms yet that bring a huge bag with them. but i for sure will more often in the future because plastic grocery bags play a huge part for plastic pollution. Sometimes i like to bring a cute backpack if I’m buying like a few things, and after i scan i put my items in the bag. i dont really worry about people thinking im “stealing” cause I’m literally checking it out. but if you’re worried about this, just make sure you have a receipt with ya!

TOOTHBRUSH

I bought a couple of bamboo toothbrushes, and i LOVE it. you can find these in grocery stores or head to sandcloud! super nice that you are making a little difference to the world while you are brushing your teeth. 

CONTAINERS

if you have jars/containers lying around at home, consider using them at grocery stores so you don’t have to use plastic bags. weigh the jar first so they don’t end up charging you more!

WATER BOTTLE

yall BRING A WATER BOTTLE WITH YOU EVERYWHERE.  you don’t gotta waste more money on tap water that’s inside freaking garbage. and that’s on period.

MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS

i honestly don’t use these, but i heard there are plastic free tampons and menstrual cups that you can use. 

COMPOSTABLE TRASH BAGS

wait yall so there are biogradable trash bags selling in walmart?! definitely buying those soon.

CLEANING ITEMS

instead of buying those regular plastic cleaning items, buy some eco friendly ones. guys theres a cleaner that like two bucks selling at walmart. so there’s laundry detergents and dish soap !!!OKAY WAIT WALMART HAS SO MANY ECO FRIENDLY THINGS. RESPECT TO WALMART.

anyways if this even gets any likes, and you have other suggestions feel free to comment. 

[studyingoose]

i’m always trying to find ways to lessen my impact on the environment but being a uni student means that most of the time i’m trying to find a balance between realistic long term actions and sustainability. so below, i’ve shared some of the ways i currently help lessen my environmental impact as well as some habits i’d like to slowly integrate into my life in the future.

bring your own water bottle - i think this one is pretty straight forward. i’m very lucky in the sense that my university provides a lot of refill stations. i usually pack my water the night before with my lunch so i don’t have to stress about it the next day. plus!! with my own water bottle, i can add lemon slices or mint etc. in winter, i like to use a thermos and bring honey lemon water, hot tea, or just not chilly water.

pack your own lunch - this not only helps you save money but also makes sure you know what you’re eating. i have a perfect sandwich sized container as well so it means i don’t have to use plastic wrap for anything. since i’m a vegetarian, most of my meals are pretty straightforward and feature rice, pasta, eggs etc. that i can buy in bulk with less plastic packaging as well.

bring your own utensils/keep cup - if you enjoy coffee, either sit in the cafe or bring your own reusable keep cup! my university is really conscious about this so all the nearby cafes let us bring our own cups and sometimes you even get discounts for not using single use cups. when i do go out to eat as well, i try to bring my own utensils so i don’t have to use the single use plastic (or even those wooden chopsticks) this also applies to straws for bubble tea or smoothies.

switch milks - i know a lot of people already have coconut, soy, almond milks with their coffee/tea due to lactose intolerance/other medical/personal reasons. many coffee shops do charge for plant milks but if they don’t then it’s an option since the dairy industry produces a lot of methane (also plant based milks are healthier). i don’t personally buy milk often because i don’t drink it so it’s not a big dent in my budgeting but if it is then don’t worry about it.

reuse notebooks  - on top of recycling my scrap paper, i reuse notebooks that i never finished. instead of organising my notebooks in terms of papers or courses, i separate them by area of study so it means that i can use the same notebook for 3/4 years for politics or english. otherwise, i use the backs of notebooks to write practice essays, do past papers, doodle, do random brain dumps etc. essentially i treat unused paper in notebooks like loose leaf.

buy pen refills and do pen audits - find out what pens you actually use!! i know for me, i’ve felt pressured by the studyblr “aesthetic” to buy stationary that i don’t have a use for and it just results in unnecessary consumerism. i use roughly 10 pens at most as well as some art supplies but for my pens, i try to use refills instead of replacing the entire pen. in the future, i’d like to also stop using correction tape and be comfortable enough to just cross things out. i have to use a wide range of pencils for art but in general use, i simply own 3 mechanical pencils and refill the lead instead.

carry a reusable shopping bag - recently, my country banned single use plastic bags so now everyone uses reusable shopping bags or no bags. although you can buy brown paper bags for 20 cents in supermarkets, you never know what you’ll need to carry around so i like to bring a tote bag.

invest in a quilt - i am super guilty of getting cold really easily and that means i usually have the heater/thermostat on in winter when i’m studying but recently i’ve come to realise that i abuse that a lot. so instead of automatically going to turn on the heater, i try to see if i’m wearing enough first or getting a quilt to put on my lap when i feel cold. this way i don’t have to rack a super high power bill in winter.

change your mailing options - previously i’d get mail from my bank regarding bank statements etc. now i’ve opted for monthly statements online instead saving the paper that they’d use mailing me, similarly i no longer sign up for coupon books, circulars, random magazines etc.

thrift shop your clothes - i feel like this is a really big trend in my city but i’m trying to only thirft shop my clothes now instead of buying new. the thrift shops that i have access to are really good quality and it’s basically a reseller where people who bring their clothes in get 50% of the sale. this does mean that clothes are pricier than big chains like h&m but it also means that you have to think about the purchase for longer + a lot of the finds are super unique and will most likely last longer.

mend your own clothes - in a similar sense to thrifting, don’t just throw out a shirt because it’s missing a button. a 20 minute youtube tutorial can make sure that shirt remains a staple item in your wardrobe. plus sewing leads to darning your socks, knitting, crochet, or even making your own clothes.

consider epilating/laser hair removal - i used to go through so many plastic razors during summer because i was someone who preferred no hair. i know there are many people who don’t mind their body hair and that’s great! for those of you who do however, considering an epilator (multi use) or even laser hair removal (permanent). both are more expensive however they both also use less plastic (compared to fornightly/monthly throwing away of razors)

bulk make your own snacks - i really want to make my own museli bars in the future since i eat them a lot. usually i try to limit my snacks to things like carrot/celery sticks, fruit, nuts, berries etc. but i try to not get individually packaged snacks (they can be more expensive as well since you’re paying for convenience). this is definitely something i can work on but i’d like to be able to bulk make my own granola, museli, dips etc. in the future.

replant your vegetables - this is a lot more achievable for me since the place i live is rural in land style. currently my family has a multitude of fruit trees, tea trees and we’ve recently gotten into reusing our vegetable scraps. for celery/cabbage/lettuce/etc. you can replant the root area. the same goes for spring onions (which are super easy to grow! and garlic cloves!) most vegetables are quite easy to grow with just a bit of googling. even if you don’t have a lot of space but would like to give this a shot, consider adding some herbs to your indoors plant collection.

visit farmers markets - unfortunately, this isn’t that big a thing where i live but i remember going to a few as a kid and the produce is much fresher, the atmosphere is lovely, and it’s a good way to source food and products. many stalls also sell premade items like jams, sauces, baked goods, soap etc. so if you find yourself busy then it may be a possible investment to buy from farmers markets.

some other habits: composting, public transport, bicycling, bamboo toothbrushes, natural home cleaners, raising your own animals, beeswax wraps, cloth napkins/handkerchiefs, buy in bulk, use rain water to water your plants, invest in a menstrual cup, choose wooden over plastic

disclaimer: you don’t necessarily need to buy anything to be more environment friendly!! some things on this list do suggest it but look at your life currently, if you don’t drink coffee or tea on the go then there’s no need for a keep cup etc. invest in products, don’t just buy them because they’ve been advertised.also, i’d like to iterate that whilst climate change is a very real and very scary threat,  personal use by the general population only results in a small part of it so please don’t feel like you’re letting anyone down if your personal situation or any part of your life prevents you from doing more than a few things to help the environment. as long as you’re not being dick to the environment and taking 4 hour showers, using 500 plastic straws a day then doing your best is enough. if you can’t do anything more in lessening your environmental footprint, then that’s okay. other people might be able to so even just spreading the news could help a lot.

if you have any other habits that you do not in this list then please tell me as well so we can all learn from each other !

happy learning everyone xx

[profpract2]

Blog Post #7 : Summary

There are a lot of ways products can be made more sustainable by companies. So many places are becoming more eco friendly even if it’s something like getting rid of plastic straws being given away at fast food places. This may seem small but it’s a lot to get that many companies on board with such a movement. It’s a step closer to making the world a more sustainable place especially starting with the bigger companies.

Part of taking care to continue to encourage conpanies and businesses to be resourceful and eco friendly. Coming up with new ideas on how to make packaging reusable or bio degradable. Show everyone how it’s possible to be sustainable without breaking the budget.

Companies are already encouraging eco friendly products as it’s becoming more a “trend“. It’s something we want to remain longer though, more than a trend as those are usually short lived. Being more sustainable as a company and a person is becoming part of our future which is great! Spending a bit more to get a recyclable bottle over something that goes straight to the garbage is way better in the future for everyone. Even paper bottles or glass bottle are being more noticeable on store shelves. Once more companies transition, all other stores will slowly follow.

The idea of the life time shelf was truly clever, a little depressing, but that is all part of life. if you also think of it, you killed a tree to make that shelf, at the end of your life you get buried within its walls and put to rest in the earth. We use the earths resources and die to be buried in it. Almost bitter sweet, yet really interesting. Maybe if more people were buried without caskets and just simple organic coffins, it would benefit the earth back. Letting our body compost into fertilizer for what little of the earth we can thank for all its supplies. The least we can do for the earth we live on. (just a thought!)

Some Questions I would like to ask the guest speaker.

1. How Do you live in your homestyle? are you eco friendly with your at home living? is it difficult?

2. What do you do when people are indifferent with how you think?

3. What’s the best way to encourage others to become more eco friendly?

[cleanwaterchronicles]

20 Ways You Can Save The Planet This Summer

1. Avoid disposable products for outdoor cookouts and picnics

 Using disposable plates, utensils, cups, and napkins may be a good choice for easy cleanup, but not when it comes to the environment.

2. Use reusable water bottles instead of disposable ones

•With so many environmental and health benefits to stay hydrated, there are nearly unlimited options for water bottles on the market today – from chemically safe BPA-free plastic – to glass and stainless steel versions.

3. Shop second hand

Garage and yard sales are popular in summer, and it's also a good time to find a new home for your own clutter. Buying second hand is good for the environment. Fewer new items are being produced, which results in less water used, reduced waste, and fewer carbon emissions

4. Clothesline dry laundry in summer sun

Hanging your laundry out to dry instead of using the dryer not only conserves energy and saves on your electric bill, but also has other benefits as well. Using a clothesline can save over $200 per year on your utility bills.

5. Pull down your shades during hot summer days

Effective window coverings can go a long way towards lowering our energy use and our electric bill. During the higher temperature months, "76% of sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows enters to become heat," according to the Department of Energy.

6. Eat less meat

 Eating less meat may not only contribute to better overall health, but it is also good for the planet.

7. Eat local

Farmers markets and seasonal produce hit their peak during the summer. They are also a great way to eat healthy, while helping the environment.

8. Compost

About 30% of what we toss can be composted instead of ending up in landfills. When composted, food scraps and yard waste enriches the soil and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.

9. Walk and bike more

Summer is the perfect time to take up these environmentally friendlier transportation methods, and they are also a great way to get exercise and positively impact your health.

10. Find creative ways to conserve water

There are numerous ways to conserve water every day, from taking shorter showers to fixing leaking faucets. But there are ways that you may not be thinking of to save more H2O. This summer and beyond, you can get creative by collecting the water you use while rinsing fruit and vegetables to water your plants and shrubs. The same can be done with the old water your pet didn't drink when you give it new water. Our lawns can turn brown in the summer, but it's often wasteful to keep watering them to stay green. When the kids want to beat the heat, why not use the sprinkler to hydrate the lawn as well? Use the same idea to wash your pets outdoors on a brown patch of grass.

11. Use reef-friendly sunscreen

As much as 6,000 tons of sunscreen are estimated to wash into coral reefs every year. The safest bet is to cover most of your body with UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) clothing and put the reef-safe sunscreen on any remaining skin.

12. Volunteer to clean beaches

Environmental groups, civic organizations, and parks departments organize beach cleanups throughout the year. Just search for one in your local area to take part. People can also collect trash from beaches if an organized opportunity isn't available.

13. Use reusable straws

There are many options on the market, made from bamboo, silicone, glass, and more, and in several shapes and sizes. Or drink straight from the glass.

14. Wear eco-friendly sunglasses

Sunglasses can range from no-name cheap shades to designer brands that cost more than some people's rent. But no matter the price, most pairs are not environmentally friendly. They are made of plastic, metal, paint and other materials that are near impossible to recycle and will spend forever in a landfill. To combat this waste, companies are making sunglasses that are eco-friendly and even socially conscious. Some pairs are made from recycled materials, such as fishing nets, reused ocean plastic, old skateboards, and vintage records.

15. Choose a propane grill

Charcoal grilled burgers may taste great in the summer, but they're not the most environmentally friendly way to have a BBQ.

16. Try natural products for your summer remedies

If you are looking to avoid chemicals when repelling mosquitoes, then there are plenty of natural products on the market as well. You can also try natural ingredients, such as lemon eucalyptus oil, cinnamon oil, citronella oil, and tea tree oil, to repel mosquitoes.

17. Unplug electronics when you are out and try solar power chargers

Beyond just turning off electronic devices when they are not in use, unplugging them can also save energy and money.

18. Use indoor plants as natural air purifiers

Though this one may not have benefits just in the summer, but year-round, bringing nature indoors is not only pleasant, but provides also several health benefits, such as lowering stress and improve happiness.

19. Save on your electricity bill by letting in natural daylight

Letting in too much sunlight may contribute to overheating homes but finding the right balance of letting in daylight from windows – but not direct sunlight – can reduce the need for artificial lights.

20. Take an eco-friendly summer vacation

Find an environmentally friendly form of transportation to arrive and get around your destination; choose an energy-efficient hotel; stay away from damaging recreational activities; and conserve water and energy use.

Source:https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/08/02/20-ways-to-make-your-summer-more-environmentally-friendly/39866829/

[jenniferrpovey]

Because I’m feeling ranty. The plastic straw ban is bad. Bad.

Look, I get it, using less plastic is good. And speaking for myself, I will happily manage without straws. But, let’s just compile some reasons why it’s bad:

1. Some people can’t drink from a glass. Maybe they are too weak to lift it. Maybe they have Parkinson’s and their hand shakes if they try. Maybe they have a swallowing problem which could cause them to aspirate their drink. Plain and simple, some people can’t drink directly from a glass. A subset of those people can’t manage a straight straw and have to have a bendy one.

2. Reusable straws are hard to keep clean and collect germs. This is bad for people with a compromised immune system. With which there is, yes, overlap with that first group. Oh, and they’re expensive.

3. People with poor jaw control often bite right through paper straws. Many compostable straws have the same problem. Oh, and they can break glass or bamboo reusable straws, with obvious risks.

4. Most compostable straws still dissolve if you try to use them with hot drinks. Paper straws can also become soggy if you take a long time to drink, making them unsuitable for some disabled people (and for people who are taking a drink on the road and sipping at stop lights).

5. Some compostable straws contain allergens. For example, corn is a common material, and some people are allergic to corn. Other problematic materials include wheat straw (gluten free, but bad if you have hayfever). Some paper straws have gluten-based glue. Restaurants aren’t legally required to disclose these ingredients because they aren’t food.

So, what’s the answer?

Alternatives. There are entire cities where it is almost impossible for a disabled person to drink in public without advanced planning. Seattle has an exemption for medical reasons (forcing somebody to reveal their disability).

Ultimately, yes, restaurants should stop automatically giving out straws even to people who don’t want them. But they should still make them available to those who need them.

Oh, and don’t support environmental groups who whine that “Nobody should get plastic straws, these exemptions are a waste of time.” Surprise, surprise, Greenpeace is one of them. U.S. PIRG, a consumer group, is another. “But it’s a huge concern that we mostly are not seeing straw bans, but upon request bills.”

We need to clean up the environment. But not at the cost of people’s lives.

[malleedesign]

New Post has been published on https://malleedesign.com.au/search-for-sustainable-packaging-solutions/

Search for Sustainable Packaging Solutions

For years now, we have been searching for a way to make our birdbath packaging more sustainable. Our starting idea is that the packaging should be able to be composted in the very gardens our birdbaths occupy. It doesn’t make sense to offer a product that beautifies one part of our landscape but sullies another with discarded packaging.

It turns out that this is an unexpectedly difficult challenge. The packaging industry has very limited options for offering accessible, flexible, compostable packaging that can adequately protect objects in transit. Innovative technologies do exist, but they generally serve specific uses such as food packaging. In this blog post we detail some of our own home-grown Research and Development, exploring how mycelial structures (mushroom roots) can be grown over recycled organic substrates. So far, we have discovered that mycelial structures are an amazing natural resource that will functionally satisfy our needs but, for various reasons, fail to meet the business case.

–

Currently, we use plastic pool noodles wrapped around the edges of our dishes. They work wonderfully in cushioning the birdbaths and protecting them from damage during shipping, but they go straight to landfill after one use. Pool noodles are made from a type of expanded polyethylene foam, which is not easily recycled and takes thousands of years to break down in the environment.

Our main difficulty has been finding a sustainable material that is robust enough to cushion the bird baths from damage without collapsing. Starch-based packing peanuts and paper-based materials just haven’t been strong enough to protect the edge of the birdbaths from their own weight when dropped on their edge.

Hannah, one of the Mallee Design team, is a mycophile: a person who loves fungi. Hannah suggested growing our own sustainable packaging using mushroom roots. Mushroom ‘roots’, scientifically called mycelium, can be grown on waste materials such as wood, straw, coffee grounds and husks to create compostable materials. The cell walls of mycelium are made out of chitin, the same fibrous substance that builds the exoskeletons of crustaceans such lobsters and crabs. This is what makes it a structural sound material that can have similar properties to plastics. Several companies have already been using the technology to make biodegradable packaging and leather-like textiles in America and Europe (eg. see Ecovative Design).

We began some small scale experiments to see if we could successfully grow the fungi ourselves. We chose a species called Ganoderma (a type of reishi mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine) because it produces 3 types of mycelium. This makes it better able to hold a substrate together and in science jargon is called ‘trimitic’. Some of the mycelium is very thin and highly branched, some is thick and skeletal, and some is great at binding different parts of the mycelium together, making it very structurally robust overall. There are other timitic species available, such as Turkey Tails (Trametes versicolor), but we chose a Ganoderma because it is known to be used successfully in mushroom biotechnologies already.

Our first test used waste hardwood sawdust, from a local woodwork workshop, as the growing substrate. A second substrate we tested was sugarcane mulch, a less dense material that has the benefit of longer strands which, we thought, might help hold the finished product together. To each base substrate (sawdust/sugarcane) we added wheatbran, which acts as a high-protein, easily digestible supplement for the mycelium to use as food. Because sawdust and sugarcane is relatively nutrient poor and difficult for the mycelium to digest, adding wheatbran gives growth a head start. A third element we added was water, crucial for the metabolism of almost all life, including fungi!

After creating our supplemented substrate mix, our next step was to kill off any contaminants (such as bacteria or other fungi) already present in the substrate, which would interfere with the Ganoderma’s growth. We did this by placing the substrate in grow bags and heating them to temperatures above 100°C in a standard kitchen pressure cooker for several hours. Grow bags are made from industry standard polypropylene plastic, which can withstand the high temperatures of the pressure cooker, and which also have filter patches that prevent pathogens entering the bag once they’ve been taken out of the pressure cooker. The filter patches stop pathogens getting in, but still allow the exchange of gases such as oxygen and CO2, which are important for the mycelium’s growth.

Once the substrate had cooled we inoculated it by manually mixing grain spawn through the material with our sanitised, gloved hands. Grain spawn is sterilised grain coated in the spores of a mushroom species and we purchased ours from an Australian supplier. When the spores on the grain encounter an appropriate substate they start to grow into baby pieces of mycelium which look like fuzzy, white threads. These threads work their way through the substrate by digesting the sugars in the wood until they eventually colonise the material and prepare for fruiting (producing mushroom bodies).

Our mycelium formed a spongy white shell around the outside of our blocks. Once enough of a structure had formed, we removed the blocks from the grow bags and baked them in the oven until completely dried out. The oven drying process and heat desiccates the mycelium, basically killing it, and prevents it from fruiting (producing mushrooms). Drying it this way also makes sure the material is sterile and won’t carry spores or go mouldy when we use it as packaging.

The images below show our blocks grown on sawdust and sugarcane respectively.

The dried sawdust blocks were relatively heavy (~500g) with a smooth, leathery texture on the outer surface. They were denser than the pool noodles we’d been using but still had the bit of give needed to cushion the birdbaths and absorb shock. In the photo below you can see how the material still held its shape when squeezed. The sugarcane mulch blocks were lighter with a more crackly texture. They tended to break apart a little or collapse when firmly squeezed but maintained their overall shape on impact. Both substrates had the potential to work well as packaging replacement to the pool noodles.

What we produced was the beginnings of a viable packaging solution! A material that mimicked the characteristics of plastics that we wanted, but which would degrade easily in the environment and could be added to people’s home composts. We placed some of the finished material in our own composts and as a light mulch on pots plants. It was well on its way to breaking down within a couple of months

The business case

Once the physical properties of the finished material were deemed satisfactory, we then started planning a production schedule. This is where our research hit real problems. The effort, time and physical space required to manufacture these compostables for our small-scale enterprise is excessive.

Firstly, we’d need to figure out a way to make moulds in the shape of the packaging we wanted and/or invest in someone to make them for us. A run of enough packaging for 20 birdbaths would require 80 moulds. Creating the moulds is do-able but requires careful consideration and testing of the design and an initial start-up cost. We may also need to adapt the growing process to ensure the sterilised substrate can be transferred into the moulds with very low risk of contamination.

A second difficulty would be sourcing a reliable and local supplier of waste substrate appropriate for growing the mycelium. For those 80 moulds we would need approximately 40kg of sawdust or 16kg of sugarcane per run. Also do-able, but potentially time-consuming if it required picking up from the supplier.

Sterilising 16-40kg of substrate per run is one of the biggest challenges and extremely difficult without a commercial size autoclave. With our home pressure cooker we can only sterilise about 1.5kg of substrate at a time, every two hours. That would equal over 50 hours of sterilising per run using our current equipment, and isn’t at all feasible. Drying the mycelium blocks in the oven at the end of the growing process would also need to be scaled-up somehow.

Another big drawback is the time required to grow each packaging block. It takes one full month from the day sterilisation starts to oven-drying process at the end to get the finished packaging product. This time-lag means there needs to be a large amount buffer stock in storage to meet fluctuating demand for products throughout the year. The physical space required to hold 80 moulds for one month is approximately 1.8m3. The cost of a workshop rental for that space is***.

The final consideration is the labour and time investment required even if we streamlined the above processes at much as we possibly could. Even in this case we estimate that it would take one employee at least 16 hours or two days/week to make this happen for us. Overall, producing this packaging it is an entirely new business, waiting to happen, in its own right.

So, where to now? Now, we are collaborating with designers in Sydney to create a packaging material out of cardboard pulp – a material similar to that which is used in egg cartons. This cardboard packaging is recyclable and can be mass produced in China but is not without its own challenges. It has proven difficult to design a packaging piece sturdy enough to protect our birdbaths during travel but we are close to finalising the design now. Manufacturing in China has the downside of having to ship the packaging pieces to us (more use of fossil fuels) but it is the most viable and cost-effective solution we have found.

Below is a photo of all the packaging options we’ve tried so far, from pool noodles to mycelium blocks to cardboard moulds. None of them are perfect but we are doing our best to make our business as sustainable as we can.

Despite not choosing the mycelium blocks as our final packaging solution, we were inspired by the ability to create such a practical, organic material! One that also has the potential to be used aesthetically in other design projects. Our next endeavour is to try to create an outdoor chair made from mycelium using a similar method.

Stay tuned,

Hannah and Etienne

[itsthefangirlwholived-blog]

Making Your Garden Work - Tips For New Gardeners

It can be somewhat overwhelming to learn everything there is to know about horticulture. Luckily, horticulture can be researched easily, taught and learned. Since you've found this article, you can become more informed about gardening so you may become a better gardener. Sod should be laid correctly. Before laying the sod, have your soil prepared. Remove weeds and break your soil until all the clumps are gone. Compact the soil gently but firmly to be certain that it is indeed flat. The soil should always receive adequate moisture. Avoid laying your sod in straight rows with all of the seams lining up. Instead, stagger the rows for a more pleasing visual effect. Make sure that the sod forms an read this about best metal detector even, flat surface, and if you have any gaps show between the sod, fill them with a little bit of soil. Your sod should be watered everyday for at least two weeks, then it will root itself and walk on it.

Try growing wheat grass or cat grass in the area of the plants your cat wants to eat. You can put something over the soil which surrounds the plants which has a bad smell to cats to deter them. Deciduous shrubs and young trees need to be protected. If you have some tender shrubs that are in planters, you need to protect them from cold weather. Tie the tops together, and loosely cover the wigwam with a blanket or sheet. This tactic is better than utilizing plastic, because it will allow air to circulate. The best way to start a garden is from first principles: seeds. Not only is this more of an effective method for gardening, but it's also more environmentally-friendly. Most nurseries use plastic containers to grow seedling. This plastic is seldom recycled, so most is dumped in landfills. Be kind to the environment and start your garden with seeds or purchase young plants from nurseries that use organic packaging materials. If you're a new gardener, it is vital that you follow the instructions when it comes to your chemicals and tools. You might end up damaging your plants or getting a skin irritation. So make sure you take precautions, follow the simple directions and be safe. Horticulture helps with relaxation. Countless methods of unwinding from the stresses of life exist. Working in the garden is among the simplest. Without too much effort, you can enjoy great returns. Growing your own garden brings a feeling of tranquility and joy to you. Irrigate your garden efficiently. A soaker hose can save valuable time by watering all of your plants simultaneously, removing the need for hauling a watering can or hose around to each plant. Keep the soaker's water pressure at a low level, so that your tender plants will not be harmed. Just use it on your foliage for a few hours. If you want your garden to be off-limits to your dog, spray a scented perimeter around it using things like old perfumes or aftershave. By masking the smells he may be attracted to, he should take less interest in the garden plants. You can cover your muddied gardening footware easily by keeping plastic bags around. You'll be able to keep your momentum going without needing to take off your shoes, and stay on track with your horticulture project. When developing your compost pile, use equal measures of dried and green material. "Green" material refers to things like wilted flowers, weeds, leaves from your yard, and grass clippings. The leaves you rake in the fall, straw, sawdust and the like are dry material. Never use ashes, meat, charcoal, diseased plants or carnivorous animal manure in your compost pile. Looking for a natural way to kill weeds in your garden? A layer of newspaper, several pages thick, placed over the ground will do the trick. Without exposure to the sun, weeds cannot thrive. When you pile up layers of newspapers right on top of the weeds, they will suffocate and die. Newspaper decompose quickly and integrate into the compost. Add visual appeal by placing some mulch over the top. If plants are inundated with too much water, it becomes more difficult for roots to pull nutrients out of the soil. If you are going to water your plants outdoors, you should first check the weather for you area to see if any rain is coming that day. If showers are headed your way, it's probably in your best interest to leave the water hose turned off. Organic material that is a minimum of three inches deep should be used as mulch within your garden. This will help your garden by adding nourishment to the soil, holding in moisture levels, inhibiting the growth of unsightly weeds, and creating a noticeably more professional look. One of the first things you need to learn about organic gardening is how to properly prepare flower beds. To begin, slice with a space under the turf. Flip the turf upside down, then cover the area with wood chips. Later, once the chips have decayed somewhat, you can begin to plant in the bed. Open your mind to the diverse environments that can be created in your garden space. The more plants you have, the more wildlife that will come. You want to have a diver garden so do your best to plant a bunch of different plants. If you can manage this, the garden will be the perfect place to relax, and you'll have done a little something for the environment. Not as difficult as you thought, right? Like most subjects, there is amble information on gardening available. Sometimes, if you figure out where to begin, it's easy to "jump right in". Hopefully, you have received that help from the tips shared in the above article.

[rafaelthompson]

How We Can Eliminate Single-Use To-Go Cups

We explore four ways cafés can try doing away with single-use cups.

BY MARK VAN STREEFKERK BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE

Cover photo by Kamil Szumotalski for Unsplash

Last month we listed six cafés with environmentally sustainable practices, and Caje Coffee was one of them. The Santa Barbara, Calif.-based company started their first location in Isla Vista in 2004. They opened their second Haley St. café last February, where they’ve eliminated single-use to-go cups altogether. “We opened not having [single-use to-go] cups and we’ll never have them,” says Caje Coffee owner Ryan Patronyk. “I want to show the example to everyone who’s trying to open coffee shops that it’s possible.”

For Ryan, choosing to eliminate single-use cups has its challenges, but it’s the ethical and environmentally responsible choice. Here are four ways cafés can consider embracing this trend.

Caje’s Haley St. location opened without single-use coffee cups, and remains committed to never having them. Photo courtesy of Ryan Patronyk.

1. Acknowledge the problem. It’s estimated that 600 billion coffee cups are thrown away each year. That’s 600 billion non-recyclable coffee cups going straight to landfills. Most people who sleepily grab their daily morning coffee at a café don’t think twice about their single-use habit, but Ryan couldn’t look away from the problem. Speaking about the Isla Vista location, he says, “We fill a dumpster every single day with trash. Every single day. And it’s always driven me insane. Even though we use the best paper products that we can that are compostable and recyclable, it still sucks.”

2. Brainstorm solutions. Caje Coffee encourages customers to bring their own cups, but if they don’t, they’re charged a deposit for a reusable cup they can take with them, and get their deposit refunded on return. The biggest obstacle is there aren’t many options for a cheap, reusable cup. Caje’s Haley St. location started with ceramic cups that cost the consumer a deposit of $6—enough to make a potential customer turn around and leave for another coffee shop. Even though other environmentally conscious companies are making the switch to reusable (Ryan cites cold-pressed juice companies that charge a deposit for glassware, which is refunded upon return), most customers “don’t see it as a deposit, they see it as you’re forcing them to purchase a cup,” Ryan says.

It’s estimated that 600 billion single-use coffee cups are manufactured each year. Reducing single-use cups requires efforts from both consumers and businesses. Photo courtesy of Ryan Patronyk.

While glass and stainless-steel cups are the most sustainable options, the best consumer-friendly choice is a cup that costs around $3. Ryan’s quest for the most eco-conscious cup at the cheapest price led him to work with a manufacturer in China that creates reusable coffee cups made from bamboo and a plastic polymer. “Anything with plastics is always going to be manufactured in China,” Ryan says. 

If you don’t want to look far for a reusable cup option, you can use mason jars. Going a step further, you can track down silicone drink cozies and sippy lids, although those add-ons will increase the cost.

3. Have paper cups and straws for folks with disabilities. Commit to change, but keep it accessible. Alice Wong, disability activist, consultant, and creator of The Disability Visibility Project, has pointed out that using a paper cup and plastic straw are the best options for some people with special needs. Having paper cups and straws ensures that people with disabilities have a place at your café.

Ryan Patronyk, owner of Caje Coffee, encourages other cafés to jump on the worthy trend of eliminating single-use coffee cups. Photo courtesy of Ryan Patronyk.

4. Don’t be afraid to make the leap. It’s hard to convince cafés to eliminate single-use to-go cups when it could mean less profitability, especially since independent cafés are already “swimming upstream” just existing. For Ryan, however, making the leap to sustainability is about heeding the responsibility to act in the face of climate crisis. “Don’t be scared and go for it,” he encourages. “It works, and everything’s going that way. It’s good to have a business that is trending upward with its values. Those values are always going to become stronger.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mark Van Streefkerk is Barista Magazine’s social media content developer and a frequent contributor. He is also a freelance writer, social media manager, and novelist based out of Seattle. If Mark isn’t writing, he’s probably biking to his favorite vegan restaurant. Find out more on his website.

The post How We Can Eliminate Single-Use To-Go Cups appeared first on Barista Magazine Online.

How We Can Eliminate Single-Use To-Go Cups published first on https://espressoexpertsite.tumblr.com/

[thecpdiary]

Reducing waste

We must do more to help save the planet, reduce waste, not only for us now, but for our children and their children also.

There has to be room for improvement when it comes to us taking care of the planet. It’s not enough to just live, we must be more mindful on how we live. The following points will help:

Reduce food waste

Don’t cook food that ends up going to waste. Only cook what you need and only buy the food you’re going to eat and within date. Vegetables will get bought, stored and then get thrown. Recycling will prevent excess waste from heading for landfill. That’s the problem.

Storing food

Learning how to store food properly is important if we are to extend its shelf life and reduce home waste, keeping food fresher for longer. Invest more in quality airtight containers for cereals, baking ingredients, pasta, lentils and rice. If you’re buying loose food items and even if you’re not, they can be stored successfully in reusable containers.

Composting

Start composting. A lot of what we throw away could be composted and returned back to the earth. Our garden will be full of nutrients, food won’t go to waste, and you and I will feel better about the impact we’re having on the planet.

Support your local shops

Continue to support the local economy like the independents, where they rely on our custom and continued goodwill. Instead of heading straight to the supermarket, visit the local farmer’s market or green grocers. It’s a good way to find more zero waste options, bargains on fruit and vegetables. You’re easing yourself into the community through shopping locally and that’s always a good thing.

Cancel Subscriptions

Anything you order on line means you’ve already subscribed and subscribing means you’ll also receive their brochure. If you’re genuinely not going to order again, please remember to cancel your subscription. Stop other unsolicited junk mail. It may be an inconvenience to ring and cancel your subscription, but reducing paper waste will reduce significantly as will your carbon footprint.

Use cloth bags

We don’t all live a zero-waste lifestyle, but we can all at least try and from the comfort of our own home. Little changes can be implemented, like us swapping from plastic to cloth bags, making a concerted effort to recycle bottles and cardboard packaging, these can make all the difference in our homes.

Recycle

Understanding how to recycle is key to us reducing home waste productively. It is important we understand the recycling rules. Please continue to use reusable durable bags that can be used when grocery shopping. Please also recycle unwanted toys, clothes and shoes and only buy what you need.

Composting

Start composting. A lot of what we throw away could be composted and returned back to the earth. Our garden will be full of nutrients, food won’t go to waste, and you and I will feel better about the impact we’re having on the planet.

Other ways to reduce your carbon footprint

Use loose-leaf tea instead of teabags, say no to drinking straws, buy from second hand stores, including electronics, plan your meals so food isn’t wasted.

For more inspirational, life-changing blogs, please check out my site https://www.thecpdiary.com

[heynells-blog1]

baby steps in transitioning to a 100% zero-waste lifestyle

A lot of people have asked me about my lifestyle changes in becoming zero-waste, so below are some of my daily zero-waste actions. I also want to make it clear that I am not (yet) living a 100% zero-waste lifestyle because of limits imposed by my middle-class class status; and while that may come off as an excuse, I want to be fully transparent about how I’m proceeding. I have a lot of thoughts about zero-waste and class privilege in environmental and sustainability movements that are too lengthy for one post, but I’ll share those at another time. Regard the list below as a “starting point” for actions you can incorporate into your daily routine, but please remember that by no mean is it perfect. 

Things I’ve been doing as part of my zero-waste commitment that I officially began in April 2017: 

Bringing my own reusable water bottle to work/gym/events, and asking baristas to put my coffee/tea in my Klean Kanteen bottle. The same goes for my smoothies! I used to feel incredibly self-conscious to ask people to do that, but I’ve never faced any rejection from it. Most of the time, people find it “pretty cool and inspiring.” Once, I even asked the cashier at Van Leeuwen’s to put my ice cream scoops in my Klean Kanteen bottle because I didn’t want a cone and I didn’t want to use the compostable bowl - he was surprised, but super accommodating in getting my vegan match ice cream into my bottle. 

Bringing my own metal fork and spoon and stainless steel straw everywhere so that I never have to ask for plastic utensils. Also when I’m going out with friends, I make sure to bring an extra pair of utensils (because you never know when someone might take you on a surprise picnic date). So much fossil fuel energy is put into making plastic goods and recycling them that I don’t see the point of having to recycle something if that can be prevented. 

Instead of using restaurant napkins / Kleenex tissues, I’ve been using cloth hankerchiefs and cut cloth from old T-shirts. It does look a little weird to pull out a Batman towel that was clearly designed for a 10-year-old, but I’ve stopped caring about people’s reactions to it because the snot in my nose has to go somewhere. 

Ditched plastic bags for reusable tote bags, and I always make sure I have at least 1 reusable bag in my bag whenever I go out. I enjoy using canvas tote bags because it’s easy to clean them whenever they get dirty, and canvas is a sturdy material that can hold more weight. I now have a canvas tote bag that holds all my reusable tote bags, which makes it easier for me to store and find bags when I’m in a rush. Since I started my apprenticeship at Earth Matter NY, I’ve been inspired by how other apprentices package their lunch and things using cloth/canvas bags. 

Use and bring my own cloth produce bags to stores and the supermarket. I don’t like using Ziplock bags (more plastic, yuck) to store my snacks and other miscellaneous things. I’ve gone to Whole Foods several times to buy nut trail mix in bulk and pouring it straight into my small cloth produce bag makes it easier for storing and weighing. I also like using my cloth produce bags to store baked goods from the farmers market or coffee shops. 

Not buying more than what I need at the market. I work with my mom to plan my meals for the week and to make sure I don’t purchase items on a whim. 

Using a bamboo compostable toothbrush! I’m looking forward to composting it in my hotbox compost device on Governors Island before my apprenticeship ends in October. (Unfortunately, I still have a large stock of Sensodyne toothpaste that my mom and I use so I haven’t transitioned to making my own toothpaste.) 

Composting my fruit, vegetable, and egg shell scraps at Earth Matter NY. I’m so privileged to do this because 1. I work twice a week as a compost apprentice at Earth Matter, so it’s easy for me to bring my food scrap containers to and from NJ  and 2. I’m also lucky to have easy access to people and resources there who teach me so much more about composting than I could have learned by myself. If I didn’t have easy access to a food scrap drop-off location, it would be more challenging for me to figure out how to compost my food scraps (especially since my family members aren’t particularly keen on creating a vermicompost system). 

Reducing my fast food consumption + bringing my own to-go containers. It shouldn’t be shocking to realize that fast food companies produce so much waste from their packaging practices, and for food that isn’t even high in good nutrition value. Truthfully, this hasn’t hard for me because I’m a selective eater and I plan my meals on a strict budget - I always bring my own snacks and lunch from home, while dinner depends on my evening schedule. I only eat out with friends once/twice a week, and I do my best to make sure we eat at restaurants instead of opting for take-out (which usually comes in styrofoam containers that are non-biodegrable!!). Sometimes I have to attend evening work functions that provide food, so I make sure to pack my reusable container to put my food in. You never know when there might be leftover food at an event that you might want to take home! 

Using package-free, homemade bulk soap / soap that comes in paper. I am extremely lucky to have had friends give this to me as presents so I’m well-stocked and ready to wash myself this season. I also don’t use a lot of beauty products - I really only use LUSH products that come in containers that can be returned and/or reused. 

Buying less clothing and stuff. As a post-grad student, this isn’t difficult because I am almost always broke and therefore living on a strict budget. In the past year, I’ve only gone shopping twice because I needed new work-out clothing and work clothes. Other than that, I maintain a minimalist closet that stores my high-quality clothing pieces. I’ve stopped buying from fast fashion brands such as Forever 21, H&M, Zara, and Urban Outfitters because of their unethical business practices. Something that I’ve implemented more in my daily routine is “conscious shopping”, which means researching companies and learning how they make their products. 

Educating myself in the DIY + sustainability culture to combat neoliberal capitalism. I am always, always, always learning #proudnerd. I follow several zero-waste influencers on Instagram and I read a lot of content on zero-waste + sustainability + environmental justice. I love sharing and receiving zero-waste + sustainability resources, particularly those by women of colour! One of my biggest critiques about the zero-waste movement is that it is championed by white women with class privilege who have the resources and time to easily adapt to living a zero-waste lifestyle. I am still learning how to make zero-waste + sustainability an inclusive movement -- so if you have any ideas/suggestions, I’d love to hear them! 

[fckplastic]

Step One: Some Changes Here And There

DISCLAIMER: I am not a true zero-waster. I still occasionally order delivery (curse you Seamless!!!) and buy packaged chicken and fish (and we know meat is a HUGE environmental offender).

In fact, I only decided to start transitioning to the zero-waste lifestyle about a month ago, so whatever changes I’ve made are pretty minor and few. However, it’s always good to start somewhere, right?

Here are some of the changes I’ve already implemented in my daily life.

1) Always carry around a glass jar.

My go-to jar is actually an empty Tostitos dip jar that has gotten me many confused looks from friends and co-workers. However, this little jar - and all glass jars - can do so much! I’ve used it for overnight oats, granola, hot tea, soup, kimchi, and so much more.

(THE iconic kimchi moment)

You can even bring your breakfast or lunch in a glass jar since they’re microwaveable (make sure to remove metal lids and be careful when removing hot items from the microwave!). 

2) Always carry around metal utensils.

I know that reusable bamboo utensils are all the rage now, but as a Korean-American, I can’t help but gravitate towards metal utensils, including my metal spoon, fork, two straws (in case someone else needs one), and chopsticks (my personal belief is that Korean metal chopsticks help you build character). 

I picked up this “Little Prince” set while I was still living in Korea, and I have to admit that the themed nature of it really encourages me to carry it around with me everywhere. (Plus I can fit so much in there!)

(The outside of the pouch - isn’t it so cute??!)

3) Grab a crap-ton of produce bags from Trader Joe’s. 

Despite the plethora of plastic packaging at Trader Joe’s, I find myself going pretty often. Before you judge, here’s the reason why: 

Meet Mocha, my little poodle-mutt fur demon. 

This might seem a bit silly (and cheap), but I always grab a ton of produce bags from Trader Joe’s every time I go to use as... poop bags! Their produce bags are not only the perfect size to scoop up Mocha poop (sorry not sorry for being gross), but they’re also biodegradable and compostable, which will allow for her poo to biodegrade waaaay faster than if I used a regular plastic poop bag. 

Thanks for the help, Trader Joe’s! 

4) Cut out unnecessary purchases.

(Accurate representation of me shopping)

Okay, so admittedly I started doing this more for financial reasons than environmental reasons. But it works! Whenever I go shopping, I always stop and take a few minutes to think about whether I really need that new sushi-shaped eraser or adorable Pikachu plushie. My go-to method is to actually hold the item in my hand and ask myself, “Does this spark joy?” And guess what? 99.999999% of the time, I realize that I don’t actually need whatever item I have in my hand, even if I want to think that I do (self-restraint ftw?). 

(Marie Kondo would be fuckin’ proud.)

By cutting down my purchases to only items that I absolutely need (groceries, medication, etc), I have really cut down on my own waste, since everything seems to be covered in plastic packaging these days. Hey, even the EPA says that reducing is the most important “R” of the three “R’s” so it must mean something. 

5) Be HONEST with myself.

Like most people before they try out a similar lifestyle, I thought that I didn’t generate a lot of waste. After just a week after deciding to go zero-waste, however, I realized just how wrong I was. The cotton pads I used every day? ?One use, and they went straight in the trash. A new Swell water bottle that I picked up to cut out plastic water bottles? It came in a little plastic bag. Even the lip balm I use? Once I finish using it, I’ll have the empty plastic tube leftover. 

Why does everything have to come in unnecessary packaging?!!?!?

Admittedly, I don’t have actual numbers for how much trash I generate every day, or even every week (I am far too lazy to calculate that). However, I know that there’s so much packaging I can cut out of my life that I never accounted for before. After taking a step back and really examining my lifestyle, everyday products, beauty regimes, and other daily processes, I can figure out where I can reduce packaging, and what I can actually reuse. 

For example, I recently purchased reusable cotton pads that I am using and loving in my everyday beauty routine, and I am planning to switch over to shampoo and conditioner bars instead of constantly having to buy plastic bottles of hair products. The plastic bag that came with my Swell bottle is going to be used as a Mocha poop bag (not the most green use of it, but it’s better than using another plastic bag unnecessarily). 

Even my lip balm tube, once empty, will be reused! One of my best friends has her own beehives (I know, whaaaaaaat?), and I asked her to harvest me some beeswax so I can DIY some homemade lip balm (anyone have a favorite recipe?), which I will then pour into my lip balm tube. Reuse when you can!  

These are all obviously baby steps, but everyone’s gotta start somewhere. What are some zero-waste steps you’ve made in your life? 

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How to Fill a Raised Garden Bed and Save on Soil@|how to fill a raised garden bed@|https://www.twelveonmain.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-Untitled-2020-06-18T002205.925.png@|21

Hey there friends! Today is a really fun post! If you have gotten the gardening bug this year, this is just the right post for you. Today I want to share one of my most favorite gardening tips to creating a beautiful garden by learning how to fill a raised garden bed with organic materials while saving soil and money! This will guarantee your vegetable garden will take off and produce amazing results. There are so many benefits of raised garden beds and I want to share how I created this easy tutorial to fill them for less.

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Having raised garden beds is pretty much a game changer in my life right now. We have really difficult clay soil, and we have spent years trying to improve it. We finally decided we needed to build some raised planter boxes so that I could grow the smaller vegetables with ease.  Abandoning our ground garden and focusing on our raised garden beds completely transformed my gardening game.

I cannot believe how much better all of my plants are doing in the raised garden beds. I have a feeling it has something to do with the combination of organic composts, topsoil, and loamy soil that we combined. It is the best option for our area, water conditions and lifestyle.

I really wanted to focus on doing as much organic gardening as we could. When we started building our raised garden beds, we knew we could not afford to fill all the beds completely with this amazing rich and expensive soil, and I began to research ways to fill our garden beds.

I finally settled on a way that worked perfectly for us, with our resources. This is not a new thing, and its not something I invented, but I loved the concept and thought it would be helpful to share my experience with it. Its called the Hugelkultur Method. I have also heard it called lasagna gardening.

Its all about the layering. There is this thing you can do to help fill those garden boxes, without filling them entirely with nutrient rich soil and compost. There is a bonus to this, because the items you use in the bottom will eventually turn into amazingly mulched compost that will feed your raised garden beds for years.

Just think about it. You have layers of organic matter, being compressed by the weight of each other, getting water and heat to help decompose the material underneath. Over time, this will become a nice black nutrient rich soil and you will have the robust garden you have always wanted.

So, lets talk about how to fill a raised garden bed while saving money and soil.

*Want to see how we built these garden beds and saved money too? Check the tutorial out here.

What you will need to fill your raised garden bed:

First you need to figure out how many cubic feet you will need to fill. This will help you in the amount of cubic yards of soil you will need to use in addition to the other additions. I used many different items to get a nice fertile soil.

sticks, twigs, or wood stumps(organic matter)

landcape fabric (we got ours from Home Depot)You can also use a layer of cardboard

gravel or rocks for drainage

grass clippings and/or straw

combination of sandy soil, vermiculite, organic compost, peat moss, potting soil or good garden soil

compost (you can use homemade compost, worm castings, and more)

animal manure

The first thing we did with our planter boxes is staple plastic sheeting as well as landscape fabric to the bottoms and sides to prevent weeds from coming up through them. For the best result, we made sure to use both and layer them. This will prevent weeds coming through. Take time to really get this right for best results to eliminate unnecessary weeds. Creating a strong base layer will benefit you for years.

For our next step, we laid down twigs, large rotting logs, and tree branches to the base layer of the raised garden beds. The kind of wood is not that important. I think a soft wood will break down faster than a hard wood, but that is just my opinion. We did this to the entire bed floor. What we wanted was to create a garden box that had good drainage, and over time, the wood will break down and turn into amazing compost. This is a great way to fill in some of those cubic yards with more affordable options that will also help improve your garden bed while giving you great healthy soil.

Next we added some larger gravel to fill in around the wood. You can add pea gravel or just some random rocks you have around the yard. Not too much though, you do not want to have a garden bed full or rocks! This will create some nice drainage in your raised bed garden. Drainage is important. You do not want your soil to be boggy and water logged. If it is boggy it will have poor drainage, and the gravel and wood will help improve you drainage and is a great option. Doing the hard work now is important to having a bountiful garden. On the flip side, you do want your soil to hold water and not all drain out. That is why we build soil with other materials that help with that.

We then added a layer of grass clippings straight from our back yard. We made sure that none of it had been sprayed with weed killer or fertilizer so that it would be as organic as possible. Over time these grass clippings will break down and help create some amazing garden soil. The soil level will depend on how much space you want for your garden plants roots. I would recommend filling it to the top, because over a short amount of time your soil will settle. If you want to plant root crops, make sure your soil will be deep enough to accommodate them. We wanted about 12 inches of good soil. Eventually the entire garden bed will be nutrient rich soil as the materials at the bottom break down, but for now we wait for the good stuff to transform.

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Next, we added a layer of straw. This filled about 1/2 of the garden beds. So already, we only have to fill the garden beds with 1/2 the amount of dirt, and over time, the wood, grass clippings and straw will turn into a great compost. You can add more or less depending on your preferences.

After these were laid down, we added a layer of a sandy soil that we got from a local friend. We got a dump truck load! This served a couple purposed. First, it helped to fill in any holes or voids in the rocks/straw/wood combination. Second, it weighs down the material underneath adding a bit of pressure which will help with the process of decomposition. And last, it will mix with the organic compost, vermiculite and other garden soil and different materials to create a well balanced soil.

The last thing we did was add a thick layer of organic compost, vermiculite,  organic mulch, animal manure, dry leaves and organic garden bed soil. This created a nice loose soil and also great soil quality. We also added more of the sandy soil in with the compost and garden bed soil.  We mixed this all together, adding more of each if needed. The weight of the added soil will add pressure to the organic matter at the bottom and encourage decomposition. The excess water will drain through the gravel and wood at the base of the garden planters.

raised garden bed cheap and make your soil go further! Its easier and so inexpensive and in the end you will have nutrient rich garden soil!” width=”600″ height=”800″>

This made a really great combination and the soil was soft, loamy, and had so many great benefits to it.  I would say this is a very good idea whether you plan to grow an herb garden, edible plants, root vegetables and so much more. This is an easy project for new gardeners, and created great growing conditions for your plants.

raised garden bed cheap and make your soil go further! Its easier and so inexpensive and in the end you will have nutrient rich garden soil!” width=”600″ height=”800″>

We built 11 raised garden beds and we saved a lot of money doing it this way, and as time passes, the layers underneath with break down and benefit the soil. The soil will settle and you may need to add more as things break down.

Its been about 1 month since I planted my seeds in my raised garden beds, and I cannot believe how amazing my plants are doing! I am on my way to a great garden.

The first year will be the hardest and you might not see the fruits of your labor quite as much as you hope. We want a productive garden

and I know that this is one of the best ways to get that amazing soil.

We will continue to add more compost and organic matter as we see the need. I find the best time to add it is in the fall so that it can have the winter season to break down and do its thing.

raised garden bed cheap and make your soil go further! Its easier and so inexpensive and in the end you will have nutrient rich garden soil!” width=”600″ height=”900″>

The soil is so easy to work with, it is workable, soft and has that dark, healthy look to it. And let’s talk about weeds? I haven’t had any! With little effort, I have been able to be successful in my garden growing this year. By layering organic matter to the bottom of the raised garden beds, you do not have to use as much soil, which can save you quite a bit of money. You can create your own high-quality soil that you can control what goes into it.

raised garden bed cheap and make your soil go further! Its easier and so inexpensive and in the end you will have nutrient rich garden soil!” width=”600″ height=”900″>

It is very obvious to me this year, that the change in the soil has made a huge difference in our garden production so far. Last year, our native soil was difficult and we decided it was time to take a different approach to growing a garden without all the hard work. This may look a little different to begin with, but it has transformed my method of gardening.There are so many different methods so make sure to find one that is right for you. Create your own compost pile to throw your kitchen scraps in. Add leaf mold , worms, animal manure and more to create a nutrient dense compost to add to your soil.

raised garden bed cheap and make your soil go further! Its easier and so inexpensive and in the end you will have nutrient rich garden soil!” width=”600″ height=”900″>

For years I have tried to plant golden beets in the ground(they are the most amazing beets ever), in our difficult soil, and I have not had success yet…that is, until this year. They have produced like crazy and have burst into life, giving us a huge bounty this year.  This is definitely the easy way to grow a garden in my opinion.

Some things to consider

With the layering practice, you may experience some settling in the raised garden beds, especially after you begin watering, but this is easily fixed. You can gradually add more soil, or wait until the end of your harvest and you can add more then.  If you plan to plant root vegetables such as carrots or potatoes, make sure your soil is deep enough. You can gradually add soil on top of your potatoes as they grow. We added more a year later and simply mixes it all together with a rake.

You can use items from your own backyard or recruit your neighbors and offer to take the grass clippings and other items off their hands. We used the limbs from our peach trees, which we had to prune anyways. We also used spent straw from our goats and chickens that was full of that good organic fertilizer(manure).Coconut coir is also a great option to add to your garden beds.

You can also find a local saw mill(and ask them for wood chips) or get a chip drop, which some large cities do. This can be the base of your layers. Old tree roots or discards from the lumber yard would work too. Just make sure not to use any treated lumber.

raised garden bed cheap and make your soil go further! Its easier and so inexpensive and in the end you will have nutrient rich garden soil!” width=”683″ height=”1024″>

Want more great gardening tips and tricks? Check these amazing posts out below!

How to Start a Hydrangea Plant – Happy Happy Nester

Cut Flower Gardening – The Ginger Home

Most Common Garden Tools And Their Uses – Shabbyfufu

Unique Container Ideas For Garden Planting – Sanctuary Home Decor

How to Grow Fresh Tomatoes – My 100 Year Old Home

Simple Tips from a Green Thumber – Craftberry Bush

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Make the Most of Your Small Garden – Most Lovely Things

How to Use Ornamental Grasses in Your Landscaping – The Happy Housie

Anthropologie-Inspired Succulent Planter – Modern Glam 

3 Tips For Creating Window Boxes and Planters – Lemon Grove Lane

DIY Succulent Garden Cake – My Sweet Savannah

Small Space Gardening – Dreaming of Homemaking

Garden Design and Trellis DIY – Finding Lovely

Lake House Garden with Peonies – Styled With Lace

How to Fill A Raised Garden Bed and Save Soil – Twelve on Main

Want even more great gardening stuff? Check out these posts:

How to Make Easy DIY Cedar Planter Boxes

Super Easy DIY Hanging Planter

Super Easy Pallet Compost Bin DIY

How I Turned A Pallet into Planter Boxes

8 Tips to Make Gardening Easier

New Garden Art Printable

How to Use Egg Shells In Your Garden and With Your Chickens

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