#zero waste tips

[boymanmaletheshequel]

Witchy zero waste food hack: if you don’t like apple peel, consider shucking it off and saving it to make a delicious apple cider like tea! Add some sugar and cinnamon to give it an extra delicious taste!

A delicious fall treat!

Recipe if you wanna give it a try:

- 4 cups of fresh water

- 1-2 apples worth of peel (fresh or dried)

- 3 table spoons of cinnamon

- 3 table spoons of sugar

A very simple recipe for a great tea result!

[msnogood]

Junk as Art & Craft Material

Suffer from hoards of junk from your dungeon

Realize you despise each and every one of them

Stop, before you burn them with heck fire, and think

Can I use any of them as materials, and turn them into something less despicable?

Bonus points for combining more than one junk into new art

If yes, profit! You shall art and craft with free materials!

If you ever stumble upon this post, please tell me about trash you creatively used for art that you thought was so clever you want to tell everyone about it (I want to hear it).

Mine are:

Packaging closed cell-foam blocks as needlefelting base

Using all sorts of fiber for needlefelting, my cut hair, my cat’s hair, my mom’s and aunt’s dog hair, unraveled yarn wool, unraveled wool from felted phone case for a long-gone dumb phone, and my most proud one was poly-liners from grocery deliveries from the panini era (absolutely atrocious and opulent one-use material cause poly-fluff isn’t even cheap from crafts stores)

Random plastic pieces incorporated as parts for my projects like little red heart tabs from bubble tea bottles as ears, salvaged plastic flower stems for my strange flower. Colored plastics and plastics in interesting pre-mold shapes are my preferred junk.

Using junk doesn’t mean the end result ought to be flimsy either. It really depends on your choice of junk and how they are used. I recommend paying attention to the material of choice, and recall / visualize how they behave from your own experience. Some plastics are more brittle and UV susceptible than others, and I avoid those.

I also used to scoff at plastics and prefer biodegradable materials. Then I had a brain thought on: if the junk biodegrades, they don’t really need saving (unless they’re really interesting). So it seems sensible to incorporate non-biodegradable junk in my projects.

Downside (sort of) is, sometimes one of these creative use of junk becomes a preferred method of doing things and you either have to loot your friends and family’s dungeons or buy more for your future project.

But I am grateful for the original junk that gave me these crafting ideas out of necessity, and implore everyone to really reimagine your trash as art and craft materials. This practice opened my mind about how strongly my preconceptions can be about inanimate objects sometimes due to frustration, sometimes due to environmental / context associations.

Every object can be deconstructed, some are useful for your work while some may not be. Your choice of material can be your inspiration. I am no master at this, but when a piece of “junk” clicks with my project seamlessly, it’s like the stars aligned and I discovered a secret thing that was meant to be. As if the Muses say: hey, here is a great piece of guilt-free money-free material for this exact project you will want to make.

It’s a blessed thing. Junk.

[pastafossa]

how long did it take for your fanfiction to start getting some recognition? did you "advertise" it or "promote" it in any way?

i know that people say this doesn't matter, but i feel like even if you love writing the feeling that you're just talking to yourself gets pretty exhausting at some point. so i'm not talking about having thousands of readers but rather like. what's your advice to have readers at least?

- someone who hasn't even started writing their ideas yet...

LONG POST INCOMING.

First I want you (and everyone else reading who may be struggling with this) to know I'm absolutely with you and generally think 'it doesn't matter' is a horseshit answer. It's this weird thing we do in fanfic that we generally don't apply to other artforms that I've seen. If you're a painter, a playwriter, a novel writer, and you say, 'I want at least a few people to love my paintings, I want some people to come see my play, I want my novel to be published and do at least ok' we all support them, we nod, we agree, we talk about how they can do that successfully. It's considered normal to want some amount of success. But hold up fanfic instead and it becomes, 'how dare you want that praise, you're being egotistical, you should be writing only for yourself'. I'm not saying you can't do that - there are some who do - but it's definitely this bizarre switchup to say there's this single artform in which we can't want attention on our work and that there's something wrong with us if we do. That can be an absolute creativity killer depending on what kind of writer you are (hi, extrovert writer here who only gets writy writy juice from social interaction - aka comments and discussion. So I totally get it being exhausting just doing this on your own).

So let me say this categorically: you're allowed to want things. You're allowed to want kudos, comments, and hits. You're allowed to want messages and asks. You're allowed to want some readers you can talk with about your story.

You. Are. Allowed.

Ok, now that that's out of the way.

Edit: more below the cut cause I didn't realize the length of this on mobile

TRT definitely didn't get popular overnight. The first four chapters were sporadic, and then I took a hiatus due to life things for a couple years. During that time, it kept slowly ticking up bit by bit on AO3, with occasional comments. Iirc it was hovering somewhere around 700 kudos by the time I came back in Jan 2021 - and that's a awesome! It's big! But it's also a number that was gained over a few years, to put it in perspective. It absolutely took off after I came back though, and over the past 2 years both TRT's popularity and the stats of my one-shots in the fandom have grown. Part of that's just the time frame (TRT's been up about 6 years), but it's also due to a couple things that I think built up TRT's popularity.

Building a tumblr presence was huge. Ironically I didn't really intend to do it for advertising; I just wanted a place readers could ask questions or we could all freak out about Matt or I could post some drabbles or updates on the fic. But considering the fact that AO3 and tumblr are the top fic sites online, I wound up promoting my fics unintentionally just by being a friendly, happy tumblr user and fandom goer. All I did was follow the courtesy rules I knew - post stuff regularly, reblog, comment, make friends with other writers, just be friendly in your neighborhood because you love the lady with the gif flower shop on the corner or the wise old pizza maker who serves hot fandom takes all day long. I built familiarity with my writing and name by posting short fics, and by taking part in challenges and prompt lists and short requests for drabbles if I saw them, though that's something that's hard to do if you don't have time (I've got less time now, but I started this blog in the early pandemic so I had aaaaall the time in the world to write and was using it to stay sane). I tagged religiously because I LOVE tags, but that helped, too. Tumblr's search system is half broken but the half that works means people CAN find your writing even if they aren't following. Doing all this over here got me a huge boost over on AO3.

I will say that if you can have a fandom tiktok presence, there's a lot of fic reviewers, edits, and good stuff that can get your fic some readers (I've had some people do this on tiktok for TRT and it sent a surge over). I personally haven't done anything there yet, in part because while I'm on tiktok I try to keep my actual, real person accounts separate from my fic/fandom accounts and i haven't bothered to make a second account solely dedicated to the Pasta name yet.

Longfics on AO3 have the advantage in fic stats in the sense that every time you add a chapter, it gets bumped to the top of the front page and you get seen again. Eventually a lot of people will click out of curiosity. They may not, however, give you a lot of user subs or add to your other fic stats at first, whereas if you do a bunch of oneshots you're more likely to get user subs but less hits on each fic. This is a decision you'll have to make, and I know folks in both camps who built their followings using different methods on each. Either way, it helps if you're posting regularly, either in a long fic or one-shots. I call this the Stephen King method, who said he just writes a ton and throws it all at the wall, and eventually you get enough good despite the bad that you start building a following.

Learn learn learn. This is standard fic advice I always give, but it's still relevant. I think one of the reasons imo TRT has done so well is that I've spent a lot of time over the years learning how to write and edit - I read a ton of books (sometimes just to figure out HOW good authors structure their stories), I took a lot of English classes, I've taken some creative writing courses in my spare time. That two year hiatus was heavily spent doing a lot of research and practice around an original novel I want published one day. And I used ALL of that in TRT, just to see what it was like to put it all together. Be hungry for knowledge, be hungry to learn. The more you learn, the better your fic will be, and the more people that will click.

That learning also includes a looooong string of fanfics that started at a very novice level (hello 12 year old me), to fics that were ok and did moderately well but weren't anything huge. Hell, I had a tumblr account for my previous fandoms before I wandered over to Pastafossa, and while those fics did decently, I never had the huge reaction I've gotten here. But I used each and every one of those fics to learn and grow and adapt. Treat your own fics the same way. If it doesn't get hits, try to learn from it before moving on to the next idea a little wiser and a slightly better writer than before. There will always be people who start to follow you along the way.

A small one, but important: I swear to god, do not shit-talk yourself. Not in the summary, not in the tags, not in the A/Ns. I'm not talking, 'this is my first fic!' That's fine. I mean trashing your own work. Shit like, 'ha ha this sucks, it's terrible but oh well' will absolutely lower your stats, because people will believe you and will ditch your fic. On top of that, it's just mean to yourself, and as I said above, you want to be a good person in the fandom neighborhood. That means not breaking the windows of your own house.

People generally think of summaries as a side note, but a shitty summary can absolutely tank your stats. Treat it like the rest of your fic - this is the trailer before the movie, and it's a huge element of what gets people interested in the first place.

Lastly, like I said at the top, the biggest factor is time. There are people who post one fic and explode in popularity, absolutely. But far, far more little followings are built on the bones of time, of abandoned fics, of muttering and highlighting phrases in books in the middle of the night, of trying and trying and trying until we have at last have a breakthrough and then drag that breakthrough forward with us to the next fic. TRT is absolutely one part lightning in a bottle - the biggest success I've ever had anywhere with my writing, a confluence of fandom factors and world events that gave people (and me!) time to write and read. But it's also standing on the back of whole lot of fics I wrote that look like everyone else's: ones with no comments, low interaction, insults; ones where I had precisely zero idea of what I was doing, but wanted to try anyway. And the way I got through that, as a writer who needs interaction in order to create, was by building friendships in fandom so that even when a fic didn't do all that well, I still had friends I could talk to about the characters, the world, the fandom itself. I asked friends to look them over and give advice. I had friends being my cheerleaders. And if you're an extrovert like me, or just a writer who needs that to create, then those connections are vital as you build up a following.

That's a lot of what I've done. I know there are other ways to build a following, but this is generally what I've done, what I've learned to do, and it seems to have worked. Just remember that there are no bad fics - just learning opportunities. Learn something, and that fic's a success, and work as hard as you can to make those fandom connections to carry you through the process.

I absolutely hope to see your work around one day, so that I can be on of those followers!

[mosstitch]

Image: multicoloured fabric yarn tied with moss green wool yarn, green panel filler in the middle

Tried making fabric yarn twine from scrap fabrics. You can sew the pieces together or tie them with knots, randomized colours from leftover scraps and colourful yarn to tie it makes it fun and cheerful looking. There is lots of charm in creative accidents, first attempts and unpolished things. If I can remember again how to crochet a basket I will try to make fabric fruit bowl with this scrap fabric twine.

[ecoconsciouscorner]

Simple Ways To Embrace Sustainable Living in Your Daily Life

Are you tired of feeling like your day-to-day routine is contributing to the destruction of our world? Do you wish to make a difference but don't understand where to begin? Well, look no further because we have actually got you covered!

With our article "Simple Ways To Embrace Sustainable Living in Your Daily Life", we aim to provide you with practical and simple actions to include sustainable living practices into your everyday regimen. From reducing plastic waste to conserving energy, small modifications can make a big distinction in creating a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

In this article, we'll talk about tips and techniques that are both great for the environment and beneficial for your health and wallet. Whether you're a university student, a working specialist, or a stay-at-home mom or dad, our detailed guide will assist you take those crucial very first actions towards a sustainable lifestyle.

Table Of Contents

1. Understanding Sustainable Living 2. Decreasing Carbon Footprint 3. Public Transport and Sustainable Commute 4. Single-Use Plastic Alternatives 5. Food Choices and Sustainable Consuming 6. Mindful Consumption and Ethical Fashion 7. Waste Management and Recycling 8. Conclusion

Understanding Sustainable Living

Sustainable living is a conscious option to live in a more environment-friendly way that lowers greenhouse gas emissions and decreases our negative environmental impact on the planet. It means choosing to be more conscious of the natural deposits we utilize and discovering methods to both decrease and recycle products in our daily lives. Here are some practical and simple ways you can start accepting green living in your everyday life:

1. Start with the essentials

Begin by making little modifications to your day-to-day routine that can have a big impact in the long run. This consists of shutting off devices and lights when not in use, taking shorter showers, and utilizing environmentally friendly cleansing items. These simple steps can help in reducing your carbon footprint and save energy and resources.

2. Buy reusable products

Single-use products like plastic bags, straws, and water bottles have a substantial unfavorable effect on the environment. By investing in reusable items, such as cloth bags, metal straws, and reusable water bottles, you can substantially minimize the amount of waste you produce and help secure the world.

3. Select sustainable transport choices

Automobiles are a significant factor to greenhouse gas emissions. By picking sustainable transportation choices like public transport, biking, or strolling, you can reduce your carbon footprint and add to a healthier planet.

4. Bear in mind your food choices

The food industry has a substantial impact on the environment. By picking natural and locally produced foods, decreasing meat usage, and preventing food waste, you can lower your environmental effect and promote sustainable living.

5. Choose sustainable style

The fashion business is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and waste. By selecting ethical and sustainable style choices, you can help lower the negative impact of the industry on the environment.

6. Practice conscious consumption

Prior to making a purchase, ask yourself if you truly need it and if it aligns with your values of sustainable living. Consider choosing items made from sustainable materials and choose for product packaging that can be recycled.

7. Manage your waste

Proper waste management and recycling is key to minimizing our negative influence on the planet. Arrange your waste into recyclable and non-recyclable materials, and ensure to get rid of them properly. Consider composting natural waste to produce nutrient-rich soil for your garden.

Decreasing Carbon Footprint

Minimizing your carbon footprint is among the most efficient ways to accept sustainable living. Here are some basic actions you can take:

1. Reduce energy intake: Decreasing your energy usage is a great way to decrease your carbon footprint. Consider turning off lights and appliances when not in use, using energy-efficient light bulbs, and disconnecting electronics when they are not being used. This can make a huge difference in reducing energy use, which in turn lowers greenhouse gas emissions.

2. Use natural light: Take benefit of natural light by opening drapes and blinds throughout the day. Not just does it supply terrific lighting, but it also helps you reduce your energy usage.

3. Stroll or bike: Try walking, cycling or utilizing public transportation instead of driving when possible. This can assist decrease the amount of greenhouse gases that are released from cars and other automobiles.

4. Shop sustainably: Consider buying products that are made from sustainable materials, are eco-friendly, or are produced in an environment-friendly way. This helps in reducing the demand for items that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

5. Reduce waste: Try to lower the amount of waste you produce by composting, recycling, and using re-usable bags and containers instead of disposable ones. This helps reduce the quantity of waste that ends up in landfills, which can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

6. Conserve water: Conserving water is likewise a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. You can do this by repairing leakages, taking shorter showers, using low-flow faucets and toilets, and collecting rainwater for plants.

7. Consume a plant-based diet: Eating a plant-based diet plan can also help in reducing your carbon footprint. This is since animal items need more resources to produce than plant-based items, and their production can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

Public Transport and Sustainable Commute

When it pertains to reducing your carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions, one of the very best ways to do so is by making use of mass transit. Not just does this help to reduce traffic blockage, but also assists to minimize the number of cars on the road. Here are some practical and easy actions to integrate sustainable transit practices into your day-to-day commute:

Use Mass Transit

-Benefit from buses, trains, and trains whenever possible.

-By making use of public transport, you're helping to decrease the variety of automobiles on the roadway, which can result in fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Carpooling

-Consider carpooling with coworkers, pals, or household members to lower the number of cars on the roadway.

-This is an excellent way to minimize traffic, while also decreasing your carbon footprint.

Cycling and Strolling

-If you're not too far from your location, consider biking or walking.

-These sustainable commute alternatives not just lower your carbon footprint, but they can also benefit your health!

"Cycling and strolling not just decreases your carbon footprint however likewise assists fight climate change, as it reduces energy usage and decreases the number of vehicles on the roadway." -Andy Murdock, Transportation and Environment Program Director.

Use Sustainable Commute Tools

-Use online tools, like Google Transit or Citymapper, to help plan your sustainable commute.

-This can help you find the finest transit routes, bike paths, and walking instructions in your city.

Single-Use Plastic Alternatives

Single-use plastics are a considerable contributor to plastic waste in the environment. By making a few basic changes in your life, you can minimize your usage of single-use plastics and help make a positive impact on the environment.

1. Bring multiple-use shopping bags to the grocery store: Rather of using plastic bags that wind up in garbage dumps or oceans, bring your own recyclable bags. Not only is this an easy way to minimize your plastic use, however numerous stores and markets offer incentives for bringing your own bags.

2. Use a reusable water bottle: Plastic water bottles are a significant contributor to land fill waste. By using a multiple-use water bottle, not only will you decrease your plastic waste, however you'll also conserve cash in the long run.

3. Swap plastic straws for multiple-use ones: Americans use and throw away countless plastic straws every day, contributing to the plastic pollution crisis. Swap out plastic straws for stainless-steel, glass, or bamboo straws that are recyclable and washable.

4. Select recyclable food containers: Instead of utilizing cling wrap or non reusable containers to save your food, think about utilizing recyclable glass or silicone containers. Not only are they much better for the environment, but they also make for simpler and more efficient food storage.

Food Choices and Sustainable Consuming

One of the most effective ways to accept sustainable living practices is to make mindful choices about the food you consume. By choosing eco-friendly food choices, lowering food waste, and supporting local farmers and growers, you can considerably affect the environment and promote sustainable living.

Here are some easy and practical suggestions to assist you incorporate sustainable food options in your everyday regimen:

1. Choose Plant-Based Alternatives: Meat production has a significant impact on the environment, as it requires large amounts of water, land and energy. By reducing your meat consumption and choosing plant-based alternatives, you can reduce your carbon footprint and also have a healthier lifestyle.

2. Lower Food Waste: Did you understand that almost one-third of all food produced around the world is squandered every year? Minimizing food waste is not just great for the environment, but also for your wallet. Strategy your meals, make a grocery list, and purchase only what you need. Utilize all parts of fruits and vegetables, and store them effectively to avoid putridity. Donate excess food to regional shelters and charities.

3. Support Local Farmers: Buying regional produce not only supports the neighborhood but also promotes sustainable farming. By picking to purchase from local farmers and growers, you decrease the carbon footprint related to long-distance transport, and you get fresh and healthy food. Go to farmer's markets, community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, and regional food co-ops to discover sustainable and locally-grown foods.

4. Select Sustainable Seafood: The oceans are an essential part of the environment and provide a source of nutrition for millions of individuals. However, overfishing and unsustainable fishing practices have placed many fish species in danger. Pick sustainably gathered seafood alternatives, look for eco-labels such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and prevent seafood that is on the red list of threatened types.

5. Grow Your Own Food: Growing your own food promotes self-sufficiency and decreases your carbon footprint. Even if you don't have a large yard, you can grow herbs, veggies, and fruits in small pots and even in your cooking area. This is a terrific method to get fresh and natural produce, and likewise to get in touch with nature.

Mindful Consumption and Ethical Fashion

From food to fashion, we consume a vast array of products daily. One of the significant threats to the environment is fast fashion. Fast fashion is a term used to describe an industry that produces clothes quickly and exploits labor and environmental laws.

So, how can we minimize our ecological effect through mindful usage and ethical fashion?

1. Buy pre-owned clothing

Rather of buying brand-new clothes, explore thrift stores, yard sale, and online markets like eBay, Poshmark, or ThredUp. Purchasing pre-owned clothes is a sustainable practice that decreases waste and supports the circular economy.

2. Buy quality clothing

Purchasing quality clothing might cost more in the brief term, however it pays off in the long run. Quality clothes last longer and decrease the need for regular replacements. Try to find clothes made from natural, naturally degradable, or recycled products.

3. Lease clothing for special events

Instead of purchasing new gowns or fits for special celebrations, lease them. Renting clothes is a sustainable practice that saves money, lowers waste, and helps to keep the clothing out of land fills.

4. Consider the ethics of the brand

Take a conscious choice and think about the ethics of the brand name before buying. Research the brand name's labor practices, ecological policies, and commitment to sustainability. Select brand names that focus on ethical sourcing, fair labor, and utilize sustainable materials.

5. Support local brands

Supporting regional brand names is a terrific method to minimize the environmental impact of fashion. Regional brands often produce clothing on a smaller scale, use less energy for transport, and support the local economy.

Waste Management and Recycling

If you're looking to embrace sustainable living practices in your life, among the crucial locations to focus on is waste management and recycling. By decreasing the amount of waste you produce and recycling as much as possible, you can considerably reduce your carbon footprint and make a positive impact on the environment. Here are 10 easy steps to help you begin:

1. Establish a recycling station in your house. Designate a specific area in your cooking area or energy room to sort and store your recyclable items.

2. Purchase a yard waste bin. If your local government provides yard waste pickup, buy a designated bin so that you can compost garden waste and food scraps. This keeps raw material out of garbage dumps and can even result in nutrient-rich soil for your garden.

3. Many mainstream personal care products contain not only harsh chemicals but also packaging materials that can't be recycled. Switching to eco-friendly alternatives is not only better for your health but also for the planet.

4. Repair and fix clothing instead of throwing it away. These easy steps can significantly extend the life of your clothing and minimize fabric waste.

5. Shop with reusable bags and containers. Bring a multiple-use shopping bag with you to avoid wasting single-use bags at the supermarket. Think about utilizing refillable containers for items like bulk grains, nuts, and oils to lower unneeded packaging waste.

6. Compost your food scraps. If you do not have access to backyard waste pickup, consider starting a compost heap in your yard or utilizing a composting bin to break down food scraps.

7. Contribute undesirable items rather of throwing them away. Lots of household items can be donated to charity rather than ending up in a landfill. Clothing, furnishings, and kitchenware are just a few examples of products that can be offered a brand-new lease of life.

8. Use rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones. Batteries contain products that can be hazardous to the environment if not disposed of appropriately. Changing to rechargeable batteries is a simple way to decrease waste.

9. Minimize junk mail. Register for services to eliminate your name from direct-mail advertising to lower the quantity of paper waste produced by scrap mail.

10. Carry out a clean-up day in your regional community. Get together with your neighbors to tidy up your parks and beaches. This not only assists the environment but also encourages community participation.

Conclusion

Integrating sustainable living practices into your daily routine doesn't have to be frustrating or tough. By implementing little modifications, such as reducing waste, picking environmentally friendly items, and utilizing alternative transport methods, you can make a huge influence on the environment and live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. Why not start today? Select a couple of the pointers we've shared and dedicate to integrating them into your daily life. Together, we can produce a more sustainable and flourishing world for future generations. Do not forget to share this article with your pals and family to assist get the word out and inspire others to join the sustainability movement.

[onthebirdroads]

ADHD hack for home composting: Bokashi buckets!

I care a lot about home composting (and it makes my regular bin waaaay less gross) but I find it really hard to empty my compost caddy regularly and it tends to get naaasty with flies and maggots and mould

Enter: ✨ the bokashi bucket ✨

A bokashi bucket uses anaerobic bacteria to ferment all kinds of food waste, before you bury it to finish the composting process. It's low-odour, can live in your kitchen, and, most importantly, doesn't need to be emptied often

All you have to do is put in your scraps, spray or sprinkle some starter culture, and then seal the lid tightly

Once you've filled your bucket, you leave it for two weeks (or longer) before either burying the contents or putting them in a traditional compost bin. During this time, you drain off the liquid every so often (and you can collect it to use as starter for your next bucket!)

It helps to have a second bucket so that you have one to use while the other is busy fermenting

I bought the 7L one from Urban Composter, but there are different ones out there and you can even make your own. Urban Composter also does a starter kit with two bins and some starter liquid. You can also find dried starter which has a similar texture to fine sawdust

You can also make your own starter culture quite easily. I'll put what I did under a read-more cause it's some real hyperfixation shit

For my starter culture I wanted to capture some Rhodopseudomonas palustris bacteria, which are pretty unique in that they can use four different modes of metabolism, two photosynthetic and two chemosynthetic. So I had to first get one kind of bacterial culture going based off something I knew would probably have the right bacteria, and then put it in an environment where only the bacteria that can use the other kind of metabolism will survive.

I used a two-pronged approach

For chemosynthesis, I made a fucked up sauerkraut by mincing together cabbage, salt, brown sugar, and raw brown rice, with some rain water, and putting it in a sealed jar in a dark place. (The cabbage and the brown rice contain the bacteria.) If you do this, remember to vent the jar every day to let out the built-up gases. It will smell funky and like fermentation.

For photosynthesis, I put some dirt and rain water in a sealed jar in the sun. This should smell inoffensive.

It's important to use rain water or distilled water, because you don't want the chlorine in your tap water killing your bacteria.

Then, once it looked like the chemosynthesis jar had eaten up all of the sugar (i.e. it had stopped producing so many bubbles) and the photosynthesis jar had some green visible, I swapped them around. I put the kraut jar in the sun, and added some sugar to the dirt jar and put it in a dark cupboard. From here, the dirt jar will start to smell funky too, as it starts to ferment the sugar.

Then, after they'd done some more bubbling away, I poured off some of the liquid and have been using it as my starter culture, to great success.

[dianehoffmaster]

Zero Waste Gardening Tips

If you would like to start a more eco-friendly garden, follow a few of these zero-waste gardening tips to get started on your journey of growing more food with less waste. https://www.turningclockback.com/zero-waste-gardening-tips/

[jerryjamesstone]

Here's how to store apples to fight food waste! Visit LoveFoodNotWaste.org to learn more. 

[voguegenics]

Sustainable Living: Embrace Green Holiday Traditions

🎄♻️ This holiday season, give the planet a gift too! Discover green holiday traditions, sustainable decor, and zero-waste gift ideas to celebrate joyfully and consciously. 🌍✨ #GreenHolidays #SustainableLiving

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the opportunity to embrace green holiday traditions that align with a more sustainable lifestyle. As environmental awareness grows, many people are seeking ways to make their celebrations more eco-friendly. This article explores how you can incorporate sustainability into your holiday festivities, from decorations and gifts to food and travel. Why…

[ecoeasehaven]

Sustainable Swap of the Day: Meal Prepping with Reusable Glass Containers! Preparing meals in advance using glass containers reduces waste and helps you make eco-friendly choices every day. Glass is not only more durable than plastic, but it’s also safer for the environment and food storage. 🌱 Try it this week and see how much waste (and time!) you save

[gertruidanancy]

Welcome to Gertruida and Nancy. We’re Jacques and Alexis, and we started this company with a simple goal: to make a small, meaningful difference. Inspired by our grandmothers, Gertruida and Nancy, we wanted to create something that’s good for both you and the planet.

[criptonft]

Beginning of the article

GreenLiving: Nurturing Our Planet for a Sustainable Future"

Description: Welcome to GreenLiving, your go-to destination for all things sustainable, eco-friendly, and mindful living. We're here to inspire and empower you to embrace a lifestyle that not only benefits you but also nurtures our precious planet.

Our blog is a haven for eco-conscious individuals seeking practical tips, insightful advice, and actionable steps towards living a greener life. From reducing waste and minimizing your carbon footprint to embracing renewable energy and supporting ethical brands, we cover it all.

Here's what you can expect from GreenLiving:

Zero Waste Wisdom: Discover innovative ways to reduce waste in your daily life, from adopting minimalist living principles to implementing composting and recycling practices.

Eco-Friendly Product Reviews: We curate and review the latest eco-friendly products, including sustainable fashion, organic skincare, biodegradable household items, and eco-conscious gadgets.

DIY Sustainability Projects: Get creative with our DIY tutorials for upcycling old items, making natural home cleaners, crafting eco-friendly decorations, and more.

Environmental Activism Initiatives: Stay informed about environmental issues and take action with our guides to eco-friendly activism, community organizing, and supporting environmental causes.

Green Living Guides: Whether you're transitioning to a plant-based diet, exploring eco-travel destinations, or seeking eco-conscious home improvement tips, our comprehensive guides have you covered.

Community Engagement: Join our vibrant community of like-minded individuals passionate about sustainability. Share your tips, experiences, and success stories, and connect with others on their green living journey.

"EcoVibes: Your Trusted Source for Eco-Friendly Product Reviews"

Description: Welcome to EcoVibes, where we're dedicated to helping you make informed choices that align with your values of sustainability and environmental responsibility. At EcoVibes, we understand the importance of conscious consumerism, and we're here to guide you through the ever-expanding world of eco-friendly products.

Our blog serves as a comprehensive resource for eco-conscious individuals seeking reliable reviews and recommendations for a wide range of sustainable goods. From fashion and beauty to home essentials and technology, we curate and assess the latest eco-friendly products to help you make choices that benefit both you and the planet.

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Sustainable Fashion Finds: Explore our reviews of eco-friendly clothing brands, ethical accessories, and fair-trade fashion labels committed to minimizing environmental impact and promoting ethical labor practices.

Organic Skincare Spotlight: Dive into our in-depth analyzes of organic and natural skincare products, including reviews of cruelty-free cosmetics, non-toxic skincare solutions, and sustainable packaging innovations.

Biodegradable Household Essentials: Discover eco-conscious alternatives for everyday household items, from biodegradable cleaning supplies and compostable kitchenware to reusable shopping bags and sustainable home decor.

Eco-Conscious Gadgets and Gear: Stay up-to-date with our reviews of eco-friendly technology, including energy-efficient appliances, solar-powered devices, eco-conscious electronics, and innovative gadgets designed with sustainability in mind.

Product Comparisons and Buying Guides: Navigate the eco-friendly marketplace with confidence using our detailed product comparisons and buying guides, which highlight the features, benefits, and eco-credentials of various sustainable products.

User-Generated Reviews and Feedback: Engage with our community of eco-minded consumers, share your own product experiences, and exchange insights and recommendations with like-minded individuals passionate about sustainable living.

Transparency and Integrity: Rest assured that our reviews are conducted with honesty, integrity, and a commitment to providing unbiased assessments of eco-friendly products, ensuring that you can trust the information and recommendations we provide.

Sustainable DIY: Crafting a Greener Future, One Project at a Time"

Description

Our blog is your go-to resource for step-by-step DIY tutorials, upcycling ideas, and sustainable crafting inspiration. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or just starting out on your journey towards sustainability, we're here to provide you with the tools, tips, and techniques you need to unleash your creativity while minimizing your environmental footprint.

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Upcycling Masterpieces: Dive into our collection of DIY tutorials for upcycling old and unused items into functional and stylish treasures. From turning old clothing into trendy accessories to repurposing household items into innovative storage solutions, we'll show you how to give new life to old possessions.

Natural Home Cleaners and Remedies: Explore our recipes and guides for making your own natural and eco-friendly cleaning products using simple, non-toxic ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils. Keep your home sparkling clean without harming the environment or your health.

Eco-Friendly Decor and Accents: Transform your living space with our DIY projects for crafting sustainable decorations, accents, and home accessories. From handmade planters and eco-friendly wall art to repurposed furniture and sustainable lighting solutions, we'll help you infuse your home with style and sustainability.

Garden and Outdoor Projects: Connect with nature and cultivate a greener lifestyle with our gardening and outdoor DIY projects. Learn how to create your own compost bin, build raised beds for organic gardening, and craft eco-friendly outdoor decor using natural materials.

Creative Recycling Challenges: Join us in fun and interactive recycling challenges designed to spark creativity, promote resourcefulness, and inspire eco-conscious living. Share your creations, participate in community events, and connect with like-minded individuals passionate about sustainability.

Tips for Sustainable Crafting: Discover practical tips and techniques for reducing waste, sourcing eco-friendly materials, and incorporating sustainable practices into your crafting routine. Whether you're sewing, knitting, woodworking, or painting, we'll help you craft with conscience.

Community Collaboration and Support: Engage with our vibrant community of eco-minded crafters, share your projects, ask questions, and find inspiration and support on your sustainable crafting journey. Together, we'll create a world where creativity and sustainability go hand in hand.

[inspirespirit-with-lety]

Kickstart Your Zero-Waste Journey: Sustainable Living 101.

Introduction: In a world grappling with environmental challenges, the concept of a zero-waste lifestyle has emerged as a beacon of hope and action. This philosophy isn’t just about recycling more; it’s a holistic approach to minimizing our waste footprint across all facets of life. Join ‘InspireSpirit with Lety’ as we delve into Sustainable Living 101, offering you a comprehensive guide to…

[gubgam]

🧫Added Do’s and Don’ts to stay safe🧫

I’m not a witch (just a microbiologist w lots of chem and botany) but want to add a few things to this list so y’all can practice and be safe!

⚗️ Do not reuse plastic containers for food unless the type of container is safe to do so! look for the number in the little recycling symbol ♻️. Many are toxic and only safe to use once, don’t put food in them again (IF YOU WILL EAT IT) but you can reuse them! Also, despite what anti litter and plastic producing companies will tell you, you can’t recycle everything. Very little actually. If in doubt, throw it out (all thin plastic films, none can be recycled)! Recycling companies have to PAY landfills pick up plastic items they can’t recycle and those costs can add up fast, you don’t want them going out of business.

🧼 Cleaning tip: you usually don’t have to buy fancy stuff. Unless someone is sick, you’re cleaning up after cooking with raw meat or you’re cleaning the bathroom, very hot water and soap will do. Plain soap too, doesn’t have to be antibacterial. Here’s… the beef I have with a lot of cleaning commercials and stuff. I don’t talk about this a lot but I do have contamination OCD and I firmly believe if I had not gone into micro I would bleach my house floor to ceiling, so yes I Get It. But, the vast, vast, vast majority of bacteria are good for you (look at Old Friends Hypothesis) or don’t care about you. Cleaning with hot water and soap is typically enough (besides exceptions above). Using bleach and even essential oil type things all the time can be hard on your lungs/skin. They’re all chemicals. Almost everything is. Consider storing them in the garage.

🍐 Spoiled or Health Hazard? In terms of produce, as long as it does not have mold (generally) you’re pretty fine. Don’t eat stuff with mold (*cheese I’ll get to). A moldy strawberry shouldn’t be eaten. Another strawberry in the carton without mold should be fine (wash!). I hear a lot of ‘was this ok’ stories from my family, like my aunt and uncle (very well off) offered my grandpa pumpkin pie, they scraped the top off, covered in mold like it was fine to eat. That is Not Fine To Eat. You probably won’t get super sick, even I’ve done it on accident. Don’t eat bread in the dark. The fuzzy stuff you see are what we call ‘fruiting bodies’ and are just the reproductive structures. The tip of the iceberg, so to speak. The rest of the mold is hyphae spread throughout the food breaking it down and eating it. Mold makes you sick sometimes because it can have mycotoxins, some are worse than others but you really can’t tell just by looking at a fuzzy patch so best not to make you or your guests sick. Cheese is kinda tricky, if it’s the kind that has a mold casing like Brie, check to see that it looks the same, if so it’s probably ok. I would seek out the cheese/food microbiologists on this one, usually the brand website will have info. Follow general food handling rules (food safety permit if in doubt!) also the CDC has good info on food borne illness.

🪴 Compost. Do not compost meat/dairy! Anything with Meat/dairy in it! Unless you have a compost service that specifically says otherwise. You’ll hear this a lot but I’ll try to briefly explain why. Most of our diseases are zoonotic, they come from animals or opportunistically like to grow in animals. In micro labs we use media that has beef/bone, blood, or lactose to grow pathogens. You don’t want those in your compost, especially if you grow food with it. That’s how we get E. coli -> dairy runoff -> canal -> lettuce and we get a recall on salads.

Friendly reminder that scientists aren’t against you, we want you to be safe! Do your thing! And keep doing great stuff like op mentioned, it really can be good for your mental well-being too.

🌿Minimizing Waste as a Hearth Witch🌿

Minimizing waste saves money and the environment. With a little creativity, there are many ways you can create opportunities to reduce waste and maximize the supplies you have.

🍄 Keep your jars. If you buy something that comes in a useful container and can be reused - then reuse it. In my experience, the best reuse for plastic containers is to freeze food. Also, small bottles like Advil bottles, are EXCELLENT spell jars. However, for all types, you can use them to store food, organize drawers and closets, store spell ingredients, or even make decorations. The possibilities are nearly endless!

🍄Keep all your fruit, vegetable, and herb scraps. With some scraps and water, you can make a lovely broth. Alternatively, you can use them to make a simmer pot for a spell or simply for the scent.

🍄If you eat meat, keep the bones. Again, a great broth ingredient!

🍄Avoid paper towels whenever possible. These are super wasteful and expensive. Whenever possible, I opt to use a towel or cloth. You can recycle old textiles for rags. However, if you're feeling ambitious you can knit or crochet towels and cloths; this is a great way to use up that scrap yarn you probably have laying around! You may even choose to add a bit of knot magic to these pieces.

🍄Thrift and upcycle. This is a bit of an obvious one; but really. It's a great way to have lovely belongings while reducing waste overall and saving money. With a bit of love, many things can be new.

🍄Almost every dish can be salvaged. It happens. We mess up. But, before you throw it away, do some research on how to salvage it. Odds are, you will be able to do it!

🍄Don't throw away fruits or vegetables that are overripe or wilting. Within reason, of course, many of these fruits and vegetables can be frozen for soups, casseroles, sauces, and smoothies!

🍄Buy a reusable coffee filter and tea basket for loose tea. Really, this is a given if you are a tea or coffee lover. Disposable ones are so wasteful and the reusable ones will pay for themselves in no time.

🍄Compost if you can. Compost dirt is amazing for growing ingredients for dishes and spells. While you're at it, save your eggshells, as well.

🍄Mend your clothes, blankets, and even shoes. A little bit of love can go a long way, including increasing the life of your favorite items. You can also add flair by learning how to darn and apply patches.

🍄Learn how to remove stains from fabric. In the same vein as mending, learning how to remove stains increases the life of your clothes. Different stains require different methods of removal, but usually, it is not impossible. Failing this, learn how to dye your clothes to revamp them.

🍄Use alternative cosmetics. This is a really big topic and I will create a post about this later. But, consider doing research. There are lots of things that can be made or substituted; notably face masks, hair masks, and using coconut oil as a make-up remover.

🍄Localize your practice. Use natural herbs and ingredients found in your local environment. Create your own correspondence if needed.

🍄Collect rainwater. Unfortunately, it is no longer a great idea to drink rainwater - but use it to water plants and clean your floors. Rainwater is also a powerful spell ingredient for spells that don't require drinking or putting on your skin.

🍄Only buy what you need. This time of year more than ever it is VERY tempting to buy up cheap Halloween-themed goods. But, consider an item's long-term usefulness, if it will create clutter and disorder in your home in the future, and if there are alternatives.

🍄Buy a cheap food dehydrator. These are perfect for making tea and drying out herbs, flowers, and other ingredients for spells and cooking.

🍄Consider alternatives in cooking and spells. There is always an alternative, you may not have to buy something new.

🍄Meals and beverages as spells. As a full-blown kitchen, I believe spells eaten and drank are extremely powerful. It also saves on ingredients.

[nerd6log]

Fun little tip, for red wine that's been opened a while and isn't quite tasting the same anymore, spruce it up with peach/mango fizzy water and an orange slice 🍷🥭🍊🥂

[queenoftreasures]

Easy Eco-Friendly Hacks for a Greener Lifestyle

In 2021, I was approached by the Anatomy of Action, a United Nation Environment Programme initiative, to be a part of the challenge that promotes the well-being of this planet we call home. I am sharing all that I learned during this challenge and two years later, these lessons are habits The Anatomy of Action (AoA) activates people to contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG 12) on…