| Author | Content |
sannajane
Eureka, CA
May 25, 2008
12:25 PM Post #5001032
| I've gotten the green bug lately, and am trying to convert my obsession with paper towels to something more responsible. When I cook, I am constantly grabbing a fresh paper towel to dry my hands on. (My husband uses the kitchen towels, unfortunately, for wiping down the countertops, mopping up spills... and I never feel they get really clean.) So, recently I purchased a big quantity of inexpensive white terry towels, kind of like bar towels. I am planning on using those while cooking to dry my hands on... at least I'm trying to convert my paper addiction! My question is, does anyone else use the bar towel approach, and if so, what/where do you store them in between laundering. I was thinking of using something like a diaper pail, but I don't want to have them start smelling, and I don't want to wash them in small loads (I probably won't mix them with my personal clothing.) Thought about baking soda, vinegar... the usual.
Any ideas? I appreciate the input!
Sanna |
tucsonjill
Tucson, AZ
(Zone 9a)
May 25, 2008
6:31 PM Post #5002380
| I do something similar (and for similar reasons, LOL!) I just have a laundry basket on top of my drier that I toss things into--dishtowels, napkins, etc. that need washing but not immediately and can wait until I have enough for a load. I drape anything that's really wet so that it won't mildew, and it seems that the airholes in the laundry basket allow enough circulation so things stay OK until laundry day. I should mention, though, that our average humidity is a little lower than most parts of the country, and your results may vary...
Good for you, BTW, to give something newer and greener a try! :) |
CascadeMom
Cascade Mtns, WA
(Zone 6a)
May 25, 2008
8:19 PM Post #5002726
| I use rags or 'bar towels' in the same manner.
Like tucsonjill I also drape over the washbasin or laundry baskets until I have compiled a few.
Then I store them in a bucket in the laundry room and add to a bucket with about 1-2 tablespoons of bleach
for disinfectant.
After a few more days the towels accumulate and the chlorine in the bucket is inert... then I wash a full load.
Chlorine is a great disinfectant and is neutralized by oxygen (air) in a day or two.
Safe effective as long as you treat it with respect... harmless.
|
sannajane
Eureka, CA
May 26, 2008
9:19 AM Post #5004528
| Thanks for the ideas ~ my husband (also known as Mr. Nothing's Out of Place) would probably wash them, even if there were only two in the basket. He's definitely not good at conserving energy... grrr... Cascade, do you keep a lid on the bucket? And tucsonjill, yeah, our humidity is much higher than yours, I'm sure! But I think they'd dry sufficiently to not mildew... Gonna see what I can pull together, now that I have 60 bar towels!!! :o) |
CascadeMom
Cascade Mtns, WA
(Zone 6a)
May 26, 2008
9:52 AM Post #5004624
| no lid.. bleach does it's thing in the first hour but oxygen is needed to make it inert before dumping the
water down the drain. We have a septic system so active bleach or chlorine would be nasty in the drain field.
|
sannajane
Eureka, CA
May 26, 2008
10:04 AM Post #5004666
| We're on septic too... maybe hubby can "get by" with an out-of-the-way bucket. |
darius
Marion, VA
(Zone 5b)
May 27, 2008
9:21 AM Post #5009409
| I do much the same thing as Jill and others. I purchase inexpensive bundles of face-cloth size terry towels in the paint department of a big box store, probably have a 50-75 or so on hand. I use 10-15 in a day when I'm on a baking or canning spree, and 2-3 every day otherwise. Septic system, so no bleach use here either. When they get really nasty looking after being washed, I toss them. I launder a load about once a week. |
tucsonjill
Tucson, AZ
(Zone 9a)
May 27, 2008
11:23 AM Post #5009959
| For tasks that are mostly about soaking up stuff, I'm also using all those old cloth diapers from when my kids were babies. Super absorbant, nice and soft, and I can bleach (since it's an option for me) as needed when cleaning up some of the yuckier messes.
|
saanansandy
Sue, RI
(Zone 6a)
June 4, 2008
1:06 PM Post #5052515
| Love the cloth diapers! There are so many uses for them.
For my dish cloths, I take about 2 cups of water, a couple of drops of dish liquid and a couple tbls of bleach-this is kept in a jar w/ a lid. I'll put a clean dishcloth in the jar and squeeze the excess liquid back into the jar. I'll use this to clean the counters. I figure this is better than buying those disposable cloths w/ the bleach in them and it keeps the cloths looking great(and no bacteria growing on the cloths!). |
sannajane
Eureka, CA
June 5, 2008
2:09 AM Post #5056254
| Some great ideas! Thanks to all. I'm really enjoying having my new "rag towels" on hand... I am a recovering paper towel addict. My next frontier will be ziploc bags. |
msrobin
Caneyville, KY
(Zone 6b)
June 5, 2008
8:17 AM Post #5056706
| Sannajane, Congratulations on overcoming your paper towel addiction! I wish you luck on the ziplock bags! I've been fighting that one for a year. I do at least wash and reuse them a few times before tossing. I usually just use them for half an onion or tomatoe that is left over, or lunch meat when the package wasn't idiot proof. Our kitchen is so small and storage is so little, that I don't have room to store a lot of plastic containers. |
mommie
Weslaco, TX
(Zone 9b)
June 7, 2008
5:58 PM Post #5069031
| HI y'all; I like the idea of getting rid of paper towels,it saves trees. I have a particular problem though. I have many pets who live indoors.& they do vomit occasionally. Paper towels are pretty handy for cleaning these types of messes. What say you? |
sannajane
Eureka, CA
June 7, 2008
6:20 PM Post #5069114
| Well, I know I won't get rid of paper towels completely. I have pets too, and yeah, they do their thing every once in awhile. I also use paper towels (uh-oh, in a ziploc bag...) when storing leftover salad that hasn't had dressing poured on it yet. Keeps it from getting slimy. Other uses for them too, of course. I was just using soooo many when I cook, I figured I'd better change my course. It's working well, and I feel better about it. |
garden_mermaid
Sunnyvale, CA
(Zone 9b)
June 8, 2008
2:57 AM Post #5070945
| We have linen towels hanging near the stove and near the sink for daily use. I do have a roll of papertowels in the kitchen for DH, but he uses them only rarely.
We use glass storage containers instead of ziplocs most of the time. I have a leftover jam jar that I use as an "onion jar" to keep the leftover onion. This jar is one of the ones with a rubber ring and wire latch that clamps it down. The jar is big enough to hold half of a very large onion or an entire small onion.
We bought the Anchor Hocking glass refrigerator storage containers. These are similar to ones that were made in the 1930's. They are great. Both the container and lid are glass, so no odours or stains from the food.
[HYPERLINK@www.cooking.com]
[HYPERLINK@www.cooking.com]
[HYPERLINK@www.cooking.com]
|
MsKatt
Mid-Michigan, MI
(Zone 5b)
June 8, 2008
6:22 AM Post #5071069
| Wow, GM!! Thanks for those links, I will definitely be ordering some of those. I'm doing my best to banish plastic and those fit the bill.
Michelle in Michigan |
podster
Deep East Texas, TX
(Zone 8a)
June 8, 2008
7:05 AM Post #5071101
| For food storage, I have always used canning jars of different sizes because I have plenty. I like them as you can see what leftovers are sitting in the refrigerator or pantry. Some items (like your onions) are too large and those are a good idea. Thanks... |
sannajane
Eureka, CA
June 8, 2008
11:17 AM Post #5071762
| Great links, and great idea! I do use some of the older pyrex that I have (or is it Corningware...) that have lids, but I like the stackability of the Anchor Hocking shown. Thanks for sharing. |
garden_mermaid
Sunnyvale, CA
(Zone 9b)
June 8, 2008
8:10 PM Post #5073836
| I use the canning jars if I have to transport something liquid (and it's not in a stainless steel thermos), but for home refrigerator storage, the Anchor Hocking glass containers work best for us because of the stackability. They do not have a water tight seal like the canning jar, but that's not a concern in the fridge. ( It would have to be a really large quake to make those containers spill).
You can also bake in these glass containers as well. I made some mini veggie loafs and brownies in them. Just pop the lids on when cool and the leftovers are ready for storage. |
darius
Marion, VA
(Zone 5b)
June 8, 2008
8:34 PM Post #5073944
| G_M, thanks for the links. I didn't know those were still manufactured. I always loved my grandmother's set, guess now I'll have to buy some! |
garden_mermaid
Sunnyvale, CA
(Zone 9b)
June 8, 2008
10:21 PM Post #5074474
| darius, you are very welcome. My grandmother had a set of these circa the 1930's. I was unable to find anything like them until recently. I'm thankful that Anchor Hocking had the good sense to start making them again. |
Heidillyho
Stanwood, IA
June 19, 2008
5:25 PM Post #5129251
| Sannajane, I did the same thing to break my paper towel addiction. I also broke the paper napkin addiction by buying a megapack of brightly colored washcloths that we use at mealtimes.
To wash the white towels, here's what I do, I purchased an inexpensive trashcan with a lid that opens with a foot lever and it sits in the laundry room. I fill it halfway with water and about a half cup of detergent dissolved in it OR a cup of baking soda. Just throw the towels in the can when you are done with it and when you get a full load throw it ALL in the wash. I used to go through a roll of paper towels in a day and a half, now I use a roll every two or three months!
Garden Mermaid: THANK YOU for the links! I've been looking for some of those glass containers. I have some old ones I've picked up at garage sales, but I definitely would like to have some more! |
TamaraFaye
Fritch, TX
(Zone 6b)
June 21, 2008
2:53 PM Post #5138390
| great tips, thanks everyone!
i recently found a great find at our local Dollar General store. they are the green bags that absorb the gases your fruti sand veggies put out that cause things to ripen too fast. was wondering where the best place to share would be, looks like here! 
a few years ago i bought a pck of four and it cost about 8 bucks. this at the cheap store was a pack of 15, in two sizes, and it was 4 bucks! a STEAL! so now ALL fruits and veggies have a bag, and they are easy to wash, hang to dry and reuse over and over.
so we can buy the better produce once a month in another town [quite a trip] and it will actually LAST that long. first test was three 2# packsages of Organic Strawberries that were incredibly ripe. i bought those on June 7th. ahven't even started on the thrid one yet, the ones left in pack number two are still good, no mold, no goo, no yuck!
worked on bananas, lettuce, grapes, carrots, celery, stone fruits, everything! even on cut onions! how is that for breaking hte plastic bag addiction!!!
now,, to et those glas containers and throw out the last of the plastics. i have just reused them for feeding baby chicks, and tried to clear as many out of hte drwaers as possible, and not bought any new in one year!
yep, reuse cloth diapers. have cloth napkins, but don't use them enough, think i like the towel bar idea...
tf |
podster
Deep East Texas, TX
(Zone 8a)
June 21, 2008
8:58 PM Post #5139915
| TamaraFaye ~ using those bags, does the fruit/vegies still need refrigeration? |
TamaraFaye
Fritch, TX
(Zone 6b)
June 21, 2008
10:21 PM Post #5140297
| no. of course our house does not have central heat/air, so even with cooking on the grill outside the kitchen is a little too warm to keep most right now [pwe have had temps as high as 108!] but the bananas of course will turn nblack when you refigerate. they kept very well sitting on the counter IN THE BAG...
funny, the packaging said "comes with metal clips". yep in the US we call them TWISTY TIES...
frankly i don't think refrigeration affects the gases that ripen your fruit. in fact, it can make it worse as the gases of an apple, for instance, will quickly ripen your green bananas!!!
but refrigeration, or keeping at cool tmeps like a cool pantry or root cellar, helps to preserve your food even longer...
tf |
Terri1948
Yorkshire
()
June 22, 2008
3:47 PM Post #5143361
| TamaraFaye, what a fantastic item! I live in the UK and I had no idea such things existed? Have you any idea of the brand name? Perhaps I could order some directly from the manufacturers. I've been hunting for such an item for absolutely years. We throw out so much fruit and vegetables that we only bought a few days before and it's so wasteful and puts me off buying in large quantities. I absolutely must try to find some of these. Thank you so much for the info.
Terri |
Terri1948
Yorkshire
()
June 22, 2008
3:51 PM Post #5143377
| Ooooops, Where are my manners??? Iforgot to add that I've been really impressed by everyones efforts to cut down on the amount of kitchen towels you use, as well as all the other useful tips and advice. It makes me proud to be a member of DG :o)
Will definitely be following some of the advice myself. Thanks everyone :o)))
Terri |
TamaraFaye
Fritch, TX
(Zone 6b)
June 22, 2008
7:47 PM Post #5144197
| funny, ealier DH was asking "how much were those bags?" and i was thinking of these for some reason, he meant bags of charcoal LOL
so i just saw your request, and went and got hte box they came in. still half full, so glad i sitll have it. going to that store to get charcoal, will pick up more bags...:
Gourmet Trend's Forever Green Bags...
made in china, no website...
distributed by TV Products, NY< NY 10001 item number 50164
UPC 7498650164
and it was 15 bags for 5 bucks... says each bag can be used more than 20 times...
i bet somebody with just a few minutes of time can search on the web and find places to buy these...
i have bartender towels on my list of things to buy... don't use many paper towels, want to use less!
Terri, i fyou can't find them in the UK, dmail me and maybe i can ship some to you...
tf |
TamaraFaye
Fritch, TX
(Zone 6b)
June 24, 2008
5:38 PM Post #5154015
| my store was sold out, but i was in another town today and they had them. anyone interested in a ForeverGreen Bags Co-Op?
tf |
gloria125
Greensboro, AL
July 3, 2008
8:14 PM Post #5200716
| i have a friend from London who drops by periodically. She always stocks up on Zip Lock bags before going home. Says she washes them so she can reuse them.
I can't imagine living with out zip lock bags! |
sannajane
Eureka, CA
July 6, 2008
9:48 AM Post #5211632
| Yeah, they're just too darn convenient and useful! I just try to be aware of using them wisely, and trying to think of greener alternatives, when possible. |
tucsonjill
Tucson, AZ
(Zone 9a)
July 7, 2008
12:14 AM Post #5215854
| My husband's aunt is fairly frugal on most things, but has decided that her two extravagances are ziplock bags and paper towels. I, on the other hand, was raised in a household that washes ziplocks religiously (my mom even washes plastic fold-over baggies, but I can't quite get that far yet). Ever since my first visit to DH's aunt's house, when we discovered our differences in ziplock usage, she's been sending gifts wrapped, not in brightly-colored holiday paper, but in ziplocks. Sure works for me! :) |
gloria125
Greensboro, AL
July 7, 2008
8:33 AM Post #5216749
| Zip locks do not need to be a throw away item. You can use them for years and years. Just found a bag of small rusty tools that I put in a zip lock years ago with a drop of oil on a cotton ball. crusty tools ready now to be steel wooled and put to use. |
frans530
Rankin, IL
(Zone 5a)
July 8, 2008
10:23 AM Post #5223062
| Just came across this thread and thought I would throw my 2 cents in.
Bar towels... while working in a restaurant, we were having trouble with the towels getting moldy inbetween the weekly pick-up. We had a mesh bag and in th evenings we would hang the towels on the sides and toss them in, in the mornings.. but still they molded.
The towel comapnies answer to us was: store the towels either in the walk-in cooler or the freezer... no kidding... the will not get moldy if they are kept cold... so, while right now I do not use bar towels.. you all have lite my idea bulb and think I will go get some this week... by the way.. Sams sells bar towels.. can't remember how much but I do remember it not being bad..
Gloria... does it really work.. if I put an old pair of clippers in a baggie with a cotton ball of oil, it will loosen the rust and I can steel wool it clean... easier than if I had done nothing then would have to sand and such???
Green bags.. a friend just called me this weekend to tell me the same story on the green bags... we have got to find a more reasonable place to buy these things! They sound great. |
gloria125
Greensboro, AL
July 8, 2008
10:50 AM Post #5223227
| Yes. it does work. There is an old work shop here at my 100 year old house and when I moved in it had all kinds of rusty tools, specialized tools for a lapidary shop.
I put the tools in a zip lock with a couple of oiled cotton balls until I could work on them some more. some of them had to be oiled again, but some of them could be cleaned up and put in use. Now I keep all my scissors, sewing tools, and small wood working tools in Zip Locks.
Alabama is a rusty place! even sewing needles will rust over the time of a year. |
TamaraFaye
Fritch, TX
(Zone 6b)
July 8, 2008
10:52 AM Post #5223245
| we finished off the last package of organic strawberries, stored in green bags, a full FOUR WEEKS after purchase.
i froze some bananas in them, they didn't even turn black. thawed out perfectly!
yes, i priced those towels at Sam's, and they are on my list for ASAP...
i am going ot Borger this afternoon, and will be stopping at that dollar general... to check for green bags. if you need some, dmail me! |
frans530
Rankin, IL
(Zone 5a)
July 8, 2008
11:23 AM Post #5223471
| never thought to look at dollar general tf.. we have those here.. will look this week.
So gloria, you actually store regular tools in the same type ziploc with a oiled cotton ball? what a great idea really. |
gloria125
Greensboro, AL
July 8, 2008
11:31 AM Post #5223539
| i have a lot of specialized tools -sewing, beading, and wood working cutters, etc.
If I happen to leave one out - it rusts. I used to live in California - they don't have rust there. I was very upset to see rust on my needles and small tools.
So now they all go into sturdy ziplocs with silica gel packets and a cotton ball with a drop or two of oil.
To condition tools you need a lot more oil, or lubricant and it can be a fire hazard if there are a lot of oil rags sitting around. You can just stick them in a zip lock. In about a week even stuck up tools are ready to clean, and then you can put them in storage bags with just a few drops of oil. |
msrobin
Caneyville, KY
(Zone 6b)
July 8, 2008
12:47 PM Post #5224104
| I found Debbie Meyers green bags in the produce section of Walmart. Stiil pricey at $10 for 20 bags, but if they work as well as everyone claims, then well worth the price! I have been finding that even at Walmart, the produce if it isn't already turning bad in the store display, that it will turn in a matter of a couple of days after I get it home. Sure glad the garden is coming in now! Yippee! |
garden_mermaid
Sunnyvale, CA
(Zone 9b)
July 8, 2008
1:51 PM Post #5224508
| What type of oil are you using in the tool bags? |
gloria125
Greensboro, AL
July 8, 2008
2:02 PM Post #5224640
| sewing machine oil in the cotton balls. |
podster
Deep East Texas, TX
(Zone 8a)
July 8, 2008
8:51 PM Post #5226683
| Frans530 ~ your post is going to make me clean out the linen closet. Years ago, we bought a foreclosed food service property from a bank. They had taken all the goodies out and when we finished emptying it, one thing I found was a ton of white (with green stripe) hand towels. Laundered them and put away. Just now ~ you made me remember them! LOL Thank you... I use large flour sack dish towels instead.
Also, I always hang damp washclothes and towels to air dry so they won't mold or sour. Anyone have other ideas? Afraid if I stashed them in the freezer, I'd forget them till the wash was done...
Boy do I sound forgetful! |
frans530
Rankin, IL
(Zone 5a)
July 8, 2008
10:22 PM Post #5227169
| I think if I regularly stashed them in the bottom bin in the freezer on a daily basis.. I would remember to wash them on wash day.. just as I have learned where the kids stash the pool towels.. |
tucsonjill
Tucson, AZ
(Zone 9a)
July 8, 2008
11:33 PM Post #5227608
| I would just end up with a freezer full of dirty towels, and a very puzzled DH... "What happened to the ice cream?" |
frans530
Rankin, IL
(Zone 5a)
July 9, 2008
7:16 AM Post #5228344
| yea but they would just stay frozen and never mold.. lol and someday.. way down the road like Podster, you'll remember all those towels you boght and remember their in the freezer. |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
July 9, 2008
12:08 PM Post #5229617
| LOL I can see it now putting my hand towels in the freezer I would get the same look I got from him by putting the roll of cling wrap in the freezer. I will be getting me some white bar towels soon also, I can use up a roll of paper towels in no time flat. I am trying to go as natural as I possibly can. AND I NEED to get rid of all this plastic I can, but im a pack rat and I just know there will be a need for it someday. I told my DH this weekend I was going to go thru the kitchen and just throw things away, we are lucky enough we can burn things so no waste in the landfill, I dont even have trash service. We burn most everything. |
frans530
Rankin, IL
(Zone 5a)
July 9, 2008
12:17 PM Post #5229693
| hey.. why did you put the plastic in the freezer??? I need to know??
AND.. I want to go not trash too.. this $45. is killing me.. he forgets to take it out to the street half the time.. and it is that high because the guy hires people to sort/recycle it.. hey I can do that... and earn my keep at the same time. |
darius
Marion, VA
(Zone 5b)
July 9, 2008
12:19 PM Post #5229713
| So... you save on paper towels and then pollute by BURNING trash?
| Quoted: | | Open burning is regulated to protect our health and safety. Open fires are very inefficient because the temperature, contact time, and mixing of the gases are not controlled. These inefficient conditions create lots of smoke and toxins. Burning of plastics, treated paper, and other rubbish creates hazardous metals (lead, cadmium, chromium) and toxic chemicals (dioxin, diisocyanate). These substances are in the smoke, but are themselves invisible. They cause serious health effects when inhaled or swallowed. Falling to earth, they contaminate soils and water and also our food supply. The harmful effects of toxic materials to both children and adults can be immediate, or chronic disease can develop over the long term. |
|
frans530
Rankin, IL
(Zone 5a)
July 9, 2008
12:29 PM Post #5229779
| darius, while I don't doubt your quote, I wonder where it came from and how many counter quotes and arguments there are going both ways.
I always find the "bury and pray it goes away before it poisens us, or do we burn it and die instantly?
One can only read learn and do the best they feel they can do for themselves and their fellow man.
As a group we can educate each other, but I have learned over the years most folks will instanly slam their ears shut when they are yelled at and told they are WRONG! Sometimes it takes a little honey... and understanding... |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
July 9, 2008
12:31 PM Post #5229791
| I keep the cling wrap in the freezer because, you know when you are fighting that roll to cut it and it all clings to its self, well if its in the freezer it wont, you have just enough time to get it to cover what you want.
Darius, I knew I would get some debate or whatever you want to call it, I am sorry. I dont mean to cause a problem. Some things we dont burn, but when a house or warehouse burns down...
I dont see it as polluting, as much as filling up landfills, and paying the city an outrages price. But that is probably for another topic. |
frans530
Rankin, IL
(Zone 5a)
July 9, 2008
12:32 PM Post #5229801
| no pun intended.. but thats cool.. never heard that before.. |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
July 9, 2008
12:33 PM Post #5229804
| It really works. |
darius
Marion, VA
(Zone 5b)
July 9, 2008
1:00 PM Post #5229937
| luvs2garden... I wasn't slamming you 'personally'. As it happens I also burn some trash and feel guilty about so doing, hence my posted remarks. I understand the need for some of us to burn trash but I often wonder if those who do realize they are just substituting one 'evil' for another? A good example is my neighbor, who burns plastic packaging in his trash. He says if it burns, burn it. I can't seem to get him to understand the chemicals released when he burns plastic.
Fran, the quote btw, came from here: [HYPERLINK@www.co.tompkins.ny.us] |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
July 9, 2008
1:10 PM Post #5229989
| I do try to recycle my plastic for my personal use. I try not to burn it. I didnt take it as an attack. And thanks for making that clear. I do have to chose one evil over the other. |
TamaraFaye
Fritch, TX
(Zone 6b)
July 9, 2008
1:19 PM Post #5230049
| L2G2, i thought the same thing, when you were talking about plastic, then menitoned burning, and was hoping you at least wore a mask. just donate your plastic items to a thrift store. at the very least they can pay for it to go to the landfill, and at best someone who has a use for it will buy it giving the organization the clear profit rather than buying more NEW plastic fromt he store...
hmm, will be making freeezer space for towels, cling wrap, what else? LOL |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
July 9, 2008
1:23 PM Post #5230073
| Plactic jugs to freeze water to help cool things off???? Like animals when its 100+ outside. We are not there YET, but will be. I even have plastic milk jugs on a rope in my garden, they are called scare crow jugs. It seems to work, no crows in my garden. |
TamaraFaye
Fritch, TX
(Zone 6b)
July 9, 2008
1:29 PM Post #5230100
| i need a freezer in my poultry shed. we are getting rid of one in the house, it is 35+ years old and i am sure responsible for 50 bucks a month on the elctric bill... so i want a nice compact energy efficient one out there. i have been saving jugs anyhow, i use them to keep plants warm in spring and fall. i like the heavier juice jugs, number "2"s, as opposed to 2-liter soda bottles.
should be easy to get either. my mom works at the recycling center, and the city has decided to no longer accept plastic... someone wiill show up with a big bag of what i want, and i will just reuse them instead of them going to the dumpster.
i hope everyone who brings their plastic jusg puts them in the roll off, that will cost the city even more, shame on them! they have turned a PRPC/Green Thumb Cooperative effort into a roll-off dump with a wood and metal pile... no plastic, no cans. i think theyar estill taking cardboard and newspaper, but the city wants that building for maintenance things, and they don't want to pay someone to run the baler and the forklift, so those will go next...
ARGGGHH!!! someone stop me from venting off my soap box! |
frans530
Rankin, IL
(Zone 5a)
July 9, 2008
1:30 PM Post #5230109
| water hanging in plastic baggies scares flies away |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
July 9, 2008
1:34 PM Post #5230138
| they have stopped taking plastic here also. Maybe afterh mine have had several uses I can make some kind of something with them, Like for christmas presents. Put thinking caps on and give ideas. Maybe for a different thread? |
frans530
Rankin, IL
(Zone 5a)
July 9, 2008
1:40 PM Post #5230162
| we could all just melt (not burn) all our plastic down and make this big square thing for our gardens... hmmm maybe a faux gazebo... save enough plastic to make each 2x4...
won't be as strong as that recycled stuff... but at least we'd be taking care of our own plastic and not burning it... think it would melt like marshmellows?? use a large double boiler type pot?
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luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
July 9, 2008
1:48 PM Post #5230194
| Hmmmmmmmmmmm frans you have an idea there. i could get a pot for outside and do it outside. I do need some kind of barrier for my veggie garden to keep the rabbits out. |
brigidlily
Lumberton, TX
(Zone 8b)
July 9, 2008
3:15 PM Post #5230679
| You could use a diaper pail for the towels, though it's been a LONG time since I've kept a diaper pail. Most of my paper towel use is from cleaning up after The Queen... seen here with a couple of little friends... so if I went with diapers or bar towels I'd have to keep them soaking in bleach. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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darius
Marion, VA
(Zone 5b)
July 9, 2008
3:18 PM Post #5230689
| luvs... somewhere I saw throw rugs braided out of plastic bags... and I have a Christmas Santa head (wall-mounted) made from a clorox bottle and a mop head. |
brigidlily
Lumberton, TX
(Zone 8b)
July 9, 2008
3:22 PM Post #5230709
| The way we're headed right now, we'll soon HAVE to take up our parents' motto -- use it up, wear it out, make it do. I am astounded at how much garbage I generate. I live alone but have half a BIG garbage can full (at least) every week. And I conserve and compost all I can. But they prepackage most things, and blister-package everything else. What's a girl to do? |
darius
Marion, VA
(Zone 5b)
July 9, 2008
3:38 PM Post #5230780
| The whole issue of blister packs is hard for me... I understand the store's need for merchandise theft protection. BUT I can barely cut apart most packaging and my hands are pretty strong and flexible for my age (67). Of course, I DO NOT understand the need for most of the stuff IN those packs. My sister's daughter, at age 4, had over 300 stuffed toys. Today, you cannot send a kid out to play... they do not know how, unless you give them a boxed game... and even then, they'd rather play using their thumbs on some hand-held gadget (that came in a blister pack). |
TamaraFaye
Fritch, TX
(Zone 6b)
July 9, 2008
4:03 PM Post #5230882
| the Queen looks like such a neat freak, how could you possible have to clean up after HER? must be those friends of hers...
when i am choosing between brands, say like the corn dogs i got the boys this week, i choose less packaging. one brand said "individually wrapped". using six per meal, don't think that is necessary LOL |
podster
Deep East Texas, TX
(Zone 8a)
July 9, 2008
9:30 PM Post #5232554
| I suspect the cities are stopping taking the plastics because the recycling centers are also stopping the plastics. They have no outlet to dispose of them. Can you imagine the flood of water bottles alone, compounded by plastic grocery bags, garbage sacks, blister packs? Grrrr...
I don't feel all burning is bad as long as we are responsible about what is being burned. For centuries, lightning strikes have burned woodlands. Sadly, many cities and states are putting the brakes on wood burning heaters and fireplaces and I don't think it is due to the wrong materials being burned. How detrimental that will be in colder climates with the high fuel heating costs... I occasionally think I would like a burn barrel but then decide not... living in the woods, fire is a danger when it is so dry. |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
July 9, 2008
9:34 PM Post #5232596
| Yes it is dangerous, a year before last we couldnt burn for over 3 month, ughhhhhhh it was just to dry.
I can imagine the flood of them water bottles. Sad. When I am out every one I see has a bottle of soda or water. I dont buy bottled water, but what plastic jugs I do have I use to make ice for the ice chest or for the critters when it is to hot. |
podster
Deep East Texas, TX
(Zone 8a)
July 9, 2008
9:44 PM Post #5232650
| I don't use the jugs for that but have some of the larger margarine tubs that I fill with water and freeze. I have a water cooler and can slide 3 of these out of their containers and into the cooler. The water I add will be icy and stay cold for a long time. And too hot we are! 100 yesterday and 102 today. Tis the season! |
luvs2garden2000
(Tia) Norman, OK
(Zone 7a)
July 9, 2008
9:47 PM Post #5232686
| Oh gosh yes, today we had a bit of a chill but humid ans all get out. Rain!!!!!!! We needed it tho. The tubs I use for feeding the dogs or the catfish. Or storage bowls for the leftovers. I will start freezing water in them also thanks |
brigidlily
Lumberton, TX
(Zone 8b)
July 10, 2008
2:24 PM Post #5236353
| Reminds me -- I need to fill the freezer in the garage with containers of water just in case there's a hurricane AND I stay AND we lose power. A few jugs of ice could make all the difference. Also, a full freezer does run more efficiently. |
TamaraFaye
Fritch, TX
(Zone 6b)
July 10, 2008
10:22 PM Post #5238842
| get busy with that TIS the season! |
msrobin
Caneyville, KY
(Zone 6b)
July 14, 2008
9:41 AM Post #5256672
| I saw somewhere where someone had slightly melted water and soda bottles, strung them on wire, enclosed in a wood frame (or hung from a board) for a screen. Pretty cool!
I'm getting better at composting, but recently I inadvertantly burned some plastic or styrofoam meat tray and the fumes literally made me sick at my stomach while I worked in a garden 20' away.
Here's a link to 163 things that can be composted. Don't remember if I just ran across it myself, or someone had previously posted it.
[HYPERLINK@www.plantea.com] |
