| Author | Content |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI (Zone 11)
November 15, 2009 6:55 PM Post #7276624
| ...eat/buy less.
We have the same situation here. The polynesian culture is not hip on plastic... Before everything came in a basket or a mat made of a nature fiber... Plastic and alum. are relatively new... Before everything could be tossed out and it would break down. Not so now. Cultural barriers are hard to break down... so is laziness!!! |
nutsfordaylily
Halifax, MA (Zone 6a)
November 16, 2009 12:12 AM Post #7277527
| I agree, laziness is hard to combat. If more communities would pick up trash and recyclables from people's homes like they do here, it would make it easier for people to recycle, cause they don't have to make the trip there themselves.
Karen |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI (Zone 11)
November 16, 2009 12:52 AM Post #7277662
| The outskirts of Guatemala City are carpeted in plastic bags. In many ports around the world a boat cannot put down an anchor and have it grab because the bottom is 4' deep in plastic bags. This is serious.
It is not rare to see a pickup dumping an old appliance (car,building junk etc.) on a vacant lot or on the side of the road...they are too lazy to drive to the transfer station.
I wonder why there aren't more programs in the schools...campaigns on TV...it has to start with the new generation...
Lee Ann...thanks for writing about this...it makes us all aware, again (and again and again...). |
LouC
Desoto, TX (Zone 8a)
November 16, 2009 1:02 AM Post #7277699
| It is soooo easy. Much like a bird soiling it's own nest. They don't do that. Nor do dogs or cats. Probably few wild animals do. Just humans. What a shame. |
cactustom
San Antonio, TX
November 16, 2009 6:02 AM Post #7278564
| Get rid of the stupid cats and throw everything in the trash the way you used to do... eat healthy, exercise regularly, die anyway!! |
carminator1
mobile, AL (Zone 8a)
November 16, 2009 2:28 PM Post #7278756
| I used to recycle in my old house, I lived in Pensacola Fl, I did have to drive to the recicling center but it was fairly close so I did not mind at all. Now I just moved to Mobile AL and I have not seen any recycling center anywhere and when I asked my neighbors they told me I have to drive downtown mobile ( 45 min dr) just to recycle, I think it is absurd.
When I used to live in Washington DC with my parents, the trash company picked the recyclables it was prety easy the only thing we had to do was to separate everything in their own bins and they would come and pick it themselves, I wish we had that here as well.
In the state of michigan they give you 10 cents for every aluminum can you bring to the stores, a little incentive for people to recycle at least the aluminum cans.
I really think some states make it a lot easier for people to recycle than others, it really is a shame since I really loved to recycle but I am not about to drive 45 min every week to do it.
PS: I do tend to use yougurt cups or even coffee cans to start seeds in so in a way I do recycle a little bit. |
brutusmother
Grand Rapids, MI (Zone 6a)
November 16, 2009 2:31 PM Post #7278767
| We are very lucky here in Grand Rapids. Our city provides bins and pick up our recycling for free. They have started construction on a new recycling facility. When finished we will have single stream recycling where we will toss all recycling into one bin. The center will be able to sort it all and they are talking about some sort of incentive for doing it. The trucks will be able to read the bin and keep track of how much each household recycles and then the household will reeive discount coupons to be spent at local businesses. Unfortunately at this time many people are still not recycling. I am on a commitee with my neighborhood association called Living Green in Creston. we have been handing out the recycle bins at events held in our area. We have been using the save money pitch to get people to recycle. We have to buy tags to put on our trash bags and the recycling is free. |
dianejnichols
Longmont, CO
November 16, 2009 2:53 PM Post #7278799
| Here in Colorado we have to pay extra to get the recycling bins and have them picked up. I don't mind recycling, but damned if I'm going to pay extra for it! |
macropanther
Charlotte, NC
November 16, 2009 4:21 PM Post #7279126
| Well done. I wish I wee so dedicated. But two trips to the dump? Is that wasting more energy than the recycling saves? Please tell me there is some way the second trip can be part of another excursion. |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI (Zone 11)
November 16, 2009 4:49 PM Post #7279223
| I had no idea there were parts of the country (ours) with no recycling facilities! DH and I are working on ways to keep stuff OUT of the landfill and recycling...like...using as much cardboard (HI pays 80$ a ton for it to be taken to Japan) as we can on our property for sheet composting...using shredded computer paper too... We raid the dumpsters!!
For those of you with gardens and no recycling you could - in the winter - use all the biodegradable to make compost...worms love it!!! I don't even take off the tape...when I dig/rake in the spring I will get it all. We also burn stuff and put the ashes in the composting...
Neighborhoods could have projects to use up the stuff... |
carminator1
mobile, AL (Zone 8a)
November 16, 2009 6:54 PM Post #7279578
| Alohahoya, that's exactly what I do with all my newspaper, I give it to my wormies, they love it and it keeps the vermicomposting bin drier as well, they love cardboard too. Thanks for the burning idea though, never thought of that. |
CompostR
south central, PA (Zone 6b)
November 16, 2009 8:11 PM Post #7279776
| We luckily have a similar situation to Brutusmother. We have "Single Stream" recycling which means we can put plastic, glass and paper in one bin and they sort it at the center. What doesn't get recycled gets incinerated and generates electricity. Pretty cool as long as we just have to have trash at all.
We do pay quarterly for pick-up though.
We used to haul everything to a recycling center and it was a bit of an adventure!
Lately, I am using cat litter made of wheat (looks just like cracked wheat!). It works great so no more awful heavy cat litter (which I understand is strip-mined bentonite - not good for the envionment). It flushes too!! No more heavy clay in the trash!
Thanks for article - I send you my appreciation for your recycling efforts which I know are not easy! |
threegardeners
North Augusta, ON
November 16, 2009 8:19 PM Post #7279803
| I'm amazed at all of the places without recycling facilities too. I just figured everyone had the option.
As a side note, I worked for a couple of days in our local sorting facility...I will NEVER again throw another unwashed jar or can in the recycle bin!!
Those people really earn their pay...ugh |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI (Zone 11)
November 16, 2009 8:27 PM Post #7279824
| That 'wheat berry' cat litter... Can't you flush down the chunks and put the fluff in the garden/compost? |
threegardeners
North Augusta, ON
November 16, 2009 8:29 PM Post #7279831
| And how would it effect a septic system? |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI (Zone 11)
November 16, 2009 10:23 PM Post #7280193
| The 'turds' shouldn't cause a problem in a Septic... and the wheat berries are organic and would break down... |
huckleberry6
Eagle Point, OR (Zone 8a)
November 17, 2009 6:31 PM Post #7283060
| I wash the empty (use a spatula to empty them) cans/bottles etc. as I do the dishes. Just save them for last when the water is dirtiest. Or load them in the dishwasher if you have one.
We do not have garbage service. We recycle all we can at the Recycle Center monthly. The rest is held in three 55gal metal drums. We empty them into our 4ft x 7ft pick-up bed and make a dump run annually.
Much of what I take to the dump is stuff I pick up from the side of the road that is not recyclable. I enjoy exercising my hunter and gatherer instincts.
Keep up the good work, everyone! =^..^= |
nutsfordaylily
Halifax, MA (Zone 6a)
November 18, 2009 12:04 AM Post #7284148
| Dianejnichols, our town just put a fee for recycling here for every household. They say it's a fee, not a tax, though we don't have a choice, and the tax office sends the bill. It doesn't matter if the household recycles or not, they still have to pay the fee. I have a friend who was very angry about this when they first did it last year. She has her trash picked up by a private company and doesn't recycle anything. She is so concerned about the environment and won't use pesticides, but I haven't been able to convince her that if she doesn't recycle then our environment is so much the worse because of it.
Karen |
nutsfordaylily
Halifax, MA (Zone 6a)
November 18, 2009 2:59 AM Post #7284802
| ThreeG's, I guess they could feature the recycle sorting center on the 'Dirty Jobs' show! I definitely rinse everything before putting in the recycle bin. I wash with soap and water any package that contained meat.
Huckleberry6, that's great that you collect trash from the side of the road. My Dad does that when he walks the dogs on our street.
Karen |
Barbbird
Sarasota, FL
November 18, 2009 3:54 AM Post #7285015
| I live in an area where the recyclables are picked up weekly. Paper and cardboard are to go in one container and cans, plastic bottles, and so on in another. The yard wastes: limbs, leaves, weeds, plants, are picked up as well. The truck that picks up the cans, bottles, paper is divided into several compartments. The fellow doing the pickup separates the items according to those bins. It is easy at the other end as it is all ready to go. The plant matter gets shredded and you can take empty garbage cans to the shredding center and pick up all the mulch you want for free. I have found though that after spreading the free mulch, it is a good idea to give it a shot of round-up. Some of the weed and grass seeds sure grow well in shredded garden refuse! |
jazzy1okc
Oklahoma City, OK
November 18, 2009 12:20 PM Post #7285720
| Nice, honest article.
I agree that cultural backgrounds and general attitudes toward our place in the scheme of things has a lot to do with what people will and will not do to improve their own quality of life and that of others.
About 30 years ago I visited NZ and was quite impressed with the ways in which the island family I stayed with managed their refuse. First of all, they bought many products in bulk. When they returned home with these products, they stored them in reusable containers. They also used cloth shopping bags and had a great compost system that was a combination of vermiculture and regular composting. Perhaps because the parents had grown up during hard times, they recycled plastic containers in innovative and interesting ways. Nothing much went to waste.
I don't know what NZ is doing now to manage their refuse in responsible ways, but that visit made a lasting impression on me.
If we all thought of ourselves as living on an island--our planet--with no space for landfills and limited resources, perhaps we would be more careful about what we use AND what we toss.
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nutsfordaylily
Halifax, MA (Zone 6a)
November 20, 2009 3:17 AM Post #7291661
| Jazzy, I couldn't agree more. Food for thought, there.
Karen |
AlohaHoya
Keaau, HI (Zone 11)
November 25, 2009 7:49 AM Post #7308108
| Currently visiting in NZ and most everything has the same mindset and routine as you speak about. EVERYone is aware they live on this island and are proud of it. Seems like everyone lives 'next door' to a dairy farm...local produce everywhere...love it.
I would move here in a NY minute... if I had 500,000$ to invest in a business that could employ a min. of 3 people. They have got the right idea about immigration... |
CompostR
south central, PA (Zone 6b)
November 29, 2009 9:04 PM Post #7319291
| Here, here, jazzy1okc.
AlohaHoya - Yes, you just scoop out the clumps of "used" wheat and flush - but I have been letting it sit a while in the bowl to soften up, then I'm sure it will flush freely. Don't want a clog! It breaks down in the septic. I don't thnk it adds much more bulk than another person added to the household would.
You could compost the unused wheat (it's not really "berries," it's more like fluffled up cracked wheat). But, why would you? The unused stuff just stays in the box ready to be used. I only dump the whole box and scrub out well maybe once a year. Nope, doesn't smell. |
nutsfordaylily
Halifax, MA (Zone 6a)
November 30, 2009 7:36 PM Post #7322506
| CompostR, what is the name of the cat litter you use? I would like to see if one of my cat owning friends would like to give it a try.
Karen |
CompostR
south central, PA (Zone 6b)
November 30, 2009 11:28 PM Post #7323177
| Swheat Scoop - see swheatscoop.com.
I was just thinking the other day that's it's more expensive, then I realized it weighs a lot less than clay, so comparing pound to pound doesn't make sense really. I guess what you'd have to consider is volume. Anyway, it's good stuff.
I have a bag of litter based on corn, but have not given it a fair trial. I really like the wheat though. |
nutsfordaylily
Halifax, MA (Zone 6a)
December 3, 2009 4:27 AM Post #7330555
| Thanks for the info. I have heard of that one, but didn't know if it was the one you were using. Ever try Yesterday's News? Made from recycled newspaper. I used to use it for bedding for rats when I had them. Very absorbent and kept down the smell really well.
Karen |
rucky
Huffman, TX (Zone 9a)
December 3, 2009 12:58 PM Post #7330974
| I live in Houston area where there is no recycling other than what we do ourseves as in aluminum cans. Plastic water bottles get washed disinfected and reused. But in a city as large as Houston recycling would probably be expensive but I would be willing. I live on the outskirts of town where people think they can dump their trash. Its coomon to leave the area for a couple of hours and come back to find someone old couch,or a bag of trash someone tossed out and is now spread all over by the abandoned dog also left by stupid people who think they can fend for themselves. I can't stand it I wish they would leave adress so I could return it to them IN THEIR YARD! rucky ..stepping down off my soap box. |
nutsfordaylily
Halifax, MA (Zone 6a)
December 5, 2009 2:02 AM Post #7336435
| Rucky, how awful! You'd think a city like that would have recycling. Do people leave that junk in your yard? Some people just don't care about anyone but themselves.
Karen |
rucky
Huffman, TX (Zone 9a)
December 5, 2009 5:53 AM Post #7337092
| Not in my yard but around in my neighbor hood because we are rural and the places are far apart and lots of trees to hide them. I am allways amazed at what slobs people are I have seen them just chunk fast food bags of trash out their window with me behind them in my car. I beep my horn and shake my fist and the just show me their IQ if you know what I mean. Texas at least in this area don't have signs with stout fines like you see else where.They just talk about "Don't Mess with Texas" but don't back it up. We have a area clean up where volenteers get together and walk the roads plcking up trash about the same time every year. Everytime without fail within two days someone will through their garbage out just to be funny.I wish they would make me the trash police and let me bust a few heads with a night stick. As you can tell its a pet peave of mine. |
nutsfordaylily
Halifax, MA (Zone 6a)
December 5, 2009 6:10 AM Post #7337120
| Rucky, I feel the same way you do. I was just talking about TX with a friend who grew up in her younger years there. I have lived in NV and AZ, and have a sister in TX. I call it the wild west out there. It seems more 'civilized' here, though it comes with a price. Higher taxes, more rules and regulations, etc. I have a dream of eventually moving to TX with my sister. I love it where she lives in Gatesville, which is not far from Killeen (I hear crime is high in Killeen).
Karen |
rucky
Huffman, TX (Zone 9a)
December 5, 2009 6:26 AM Post #7337140
| Nutsfordaylily ... Don't get me wrong I love it here I was not born here but got here as quick as I could. If you go out away from Houston there is not any trash. The Texas hill country is so beutiful with clear water streams and rolling hills. ( where I hunt) and far west Texas with the small mountains and desert is breath taking (where i used to hunt) its just around here. It is very pretty in its own way but the slobs that live here tick me off even a dog won't poop in their own imediate area. Its because I love it here that I am so adamit about the trash. Please come to Texas The Killeen area is beutiful also. I don't think the crime here is worse than any where else in fact its better because we believe in the second amendment. |
nutsfordaylily
Halifax, MA (Zone 6a)
December 5, 2009 9:11 PM Post #7339034
| Oh, I've been to TX quite a few times to visit my sister, and I loved it there, that's why I want to move there. Been to the hill country, and boy is that beautiful. My sister has a piece of land in Gatesville that sits on a plateau. She built a house on the edge with a gorgeous view. She would like me to come and live with her. I would love to, but my sister here needs help taking care of Dad, so it might be awhile till I can move out there. We'll see. I was there back in March of this year, and was looking at properties there. So cheap compared to here.
Karen |
rucky
Huffman, TX (Zone 9a)
December 5, 2009 9:34 PM Post #7339115
| I am in the same boat I love the hill country and in fact I am going there tomorrow to hunt. I would move there tomorrow but I have two very old parents and my wifes mother is here to so I have to stay here to help my sister with my parents and my wife doesn't get any help from her three brothers we had to bribe one of them to come get her for christmas so we can go visit the kids for christmas. My SIL and DD bought 3 acres on Canyon lake for his retirement from the Air Force in a few years. I want to sell here and move there when they do but just can't do it now. I just retired so I can spend hours in Doctors offices taking one or the other to the Dr. But they are family and I will do what I can as long as I can. They are all 86 so I told my wife I am on a 5 year plan I am going to work on what I have here so when something happens God forbid I will be ready to sell and move.I know that sound terrible of me but I have a life too. But you are right it is much cheaper here in Texas than in Most of the U.S. in fact the population keeps climbing because other people are finding out about it people in California can sell a little place there for 1/2 million and come here and buy a much nicer home for half that.Oh well I am not b!tc# ing honest it is nice here to.This is a picture of the snowy sunset last night...rucky 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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CompostR
south central, PA (Zone 6b)
December 6, 2009 11:29 PM Post #7342677
| nutsfordaylily - Never tried Yesterday's News - I looked it up - it doesn't say "clumping" which I find is essential - "News" absords from the bottom up.
Anyway - I've had little rodents before and since you have to pretty much clean the whole cage every (was it week or a couple of days?) I guess you can just dump it. With cats I really like being able to remove the whole clumps with no urine on the bottom. Still, it's a good recycle idea.
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nutsfordaylily
Halifax, MA (Zone 6a)
December 19, 2009 11:30 PM Post #7383155
| Rucky, very nice sunset shot. I feel for you. You have a lot more on your plate than I do. Yeah, property is cheap there, but hard to get good jobs where my sister lives, and in this economy I'm sure it's even harder. When I win the lottery I will be over there in a heartbeat, quit my job, take care of Dad, grow lots and lots of daylilies, and just enjoy life for a change. Anyhow, still waiting for a ticket to hit. Santa said I'm winning for Christmas!
CR, yeah, Yesterday's News makes sense from an environmental standpoint for sure.
Rucky, here's a pic of the sunset at my DS's house in Gatesville back last March.
Karen
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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nutsfordaylily
Halifax, MA (Zone 6a)
December 19, 2009 11:34 PM Post #7383171
| Here's a pic of a house that I was particularly interested in while we were there. It was on 7 acres. Really nice. Had a decent view from the deck, too, which is at the other end of the house and not shown in this picture. It was going for $180K, but the realtor called me several months ago to tell me the owner had lowered the price. I heard from one of my DS's neighbors that it still hasn't sold. If I had the money now I would definitely buy it. If I had no car payment I could afford a small mortgage. But I owe more on my car than it's worth, and it'll be several years before it's all paid. I won't every buy such an expensive car again.
Karen |
nutsfordaylily
Halifax, MA (Zone 6a)
December 19, 2009 11:35 PM Post #7383173
| Oops! Forgot the pic. Here it is.
Karen
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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nutsfordaylily
Halifax, MA (Zone 6a)
December 19, 2009 11:36 PM Post #7383177
| Front view... 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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nutsfordaylily
Halifax, MA (Zone 6a)
December 19, 2009 11:37 PM Post #7383179
| I can imagine lots of gardens in that front yard!
Karen |
rucky
Huffman, TX (Zone 9a)
December 20, 2009 8:28 AM Post #7384342
| Its a beutiful house and seven acres too. I wonder how much a house like that would sell for up north. I understand about the car. We all want nice things but sometimes we don't consider the consaquences. The only debt I have is a car payment and I will pay it off next month then I owe nobody nothing. I am on a fixed income albeit a small one untill I reach 62. 2 years away.
I am curious why do you want 7 acres. Do you want to raise animals. You could raise goats I think there is some money in them. I have 2.78 acres it was 3.28 but I sold a half acre and 100 foot of shore line to pay what I owed off.It is constant work with just under 3 acres. In the summer I mow every 4 days and weed eat on the fifth. There is allways something to do. I don't have any animals right now because my old St Bernard passed away this year. The deer found that I don't have a dog anymore and have been systematicly destroying everything they can. I had 80 pine trees cut down a couple of years ago and I have been slowly replacing them with different trees the deer keep eating them. They love the young tender leaves and in the process they break the branches. I guess what I am trying to say is to consider what you want to do with the land and remember that if you have animals you can't go anywhere for more than a day without a animal sitter. Well I am off for Georgia in the morning to visit the kids for the Christmas holiday I hope you and every one else has a great and loving holiday. I'll still be in touch with the laptop when I can. |
nutsfordaylily
Halifax, MA (Zone 6a)
December 21, 2009 5:45 PM Post #7388182
| Rucky, I'm gonna reply in a dmail, as I feel like I've already hijacked this thread enough so far.
Karen |
threegardeners
North Augusta, ON
December 21, 2009 6:38 PM Post #7388314
| no problem! such a great conversation!! |
nutsfordaylily
Halifax, MA (Zone 6a)
December 21, 2009 7:44 PM Post #7388439
| LOL! Thanks!
Karen |
