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I may get some odd feedback on this one, but let's see what happens. Let's say you're one of those folks in the minority out there who hasn't trimmed the tree yet and you're also one of those folks who just hasn't gotten around to changing out your lightbulbs. Well, instead of running out and buying ornaments, why not go get some CFLs and hang your old Edison bulbs all over the tree? How wild would that be, and what a conversation starter.
Now i have to add that the legal team of Handerson Landers and Flynn has told me that you are trying this at your own risk and should be very careful to secure all bulbs to the tree safely, lest they fall and smash on your train set. If anyone does do this though, please post up a pic cuz I think it'd look cool.
When the 26th comes around, you can donate those bulbs to a charitable organization and help them out while you are at it.
Whadya think?
Dave
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Holiday Tip #19 - CFLs and Ornaments for the Tree
Day 354 - Saturday 12/20/08
Today's Haul:
- 1 cardboard box of potato pancakes - recycle
- 1 frozen juice container - garbage
- 1 cardboard pasta box - recycle
- 1 plastic window from cardboard pasta box - garbage
Friday, December 19, 2008
Day 353 - Friday 12/19/08
Today's Haul:
- 1 glass grape juice bottle w/top - recycle
- 1 plastic cupcake holder - recycle
- 1 glass hard cider bottle - recycle
- 1 plastic gadget bag - recycle
- 1 cardboard backing from gadget packaging - recycle
- 2 staples from gadget packaging - garbage
- 1 plastic ring from butter spread tub - recycle
- 2 tea lamp holders - garbage
- 4 pieces used scotch tape - garbage
Eating Out
Down and dirty today, here are a few tips on wasting less when someone else is slinging your hash.
Fast Food OK, I know this is an odd place to start but sadly, more food is consumed daily in America at fast food establishments than at any other type of eatery. Now when you think of fast food, you think of a lot of things, but one of the big ones has got to be waste. While there are certain things you are just not going to be getting around (and I’m not even going to get into nutrition here), you do have some options.
A few weeks back I was out with a friend and he asked if I minded if he drove through a certain Scottish/American establishment that he happens to frequent. I told him I was fine as long as I could order. When we came to the window, I asked for what he wanted and then proceeded to ask that they skip the bag, ketchup, straw, and only give us one napkin. A few surprised questions later and wouldn’t ya know it, he was headed out with roughly half the stuff he would have been handed otherwise. It never hurts to ask.
Eating with Kids We have two young kids and this is always a big one for me. It seems that no matter where we go, even the nice places, they tend to bring Styrofoam cups with plastic lids and straws regardless of what’s what. So I’ve gotten into the habit of asking the waitperson if the kids drinks be brought in actual glasses as it makes them feel more grownup and therefore they don’t spill as much. It generally works. As for the straws, we bring our own reusable curly cue straws so the kids have ones that are far better than the restaurant would give out anyway. Finally, if your kids are like mine, they rarely finish their food. So we’ve begun packing in a little plastic food storage bowl so we don’t need those nasty Styrofoam take out containers. It’s not fool proof but you can usually get by. And if they give out crayons, snag em rather than leaving them behind or better yet, bring your own!
Straws Kids aren’t the only ones who get these. I am shocked at how many people get straws in their drinks and then take them out and put them on the table. I was at a lunch meeting last week and ordered an ice tea but asked for no straw. The people I was with were shocked as they had never thought of this before, but after considering it for a second, asked that their drinks not contain straws either. And the dominos tumble.
Chopsticks Sure impressing the boss by using chopsticks is a cool thing, but do you have any idea how much wood is used annually just to make these things? China alone goes through 25 million trees a year. So next time you head out for Asian food, bring a reusable pair from home or at least grab a fork.
Water Don’t want water for the table, ask for it to not be brought. Many places will only bring water if it’s asked for but for those still behind the times, it’s an incredible waste of a precious resource when it’s not going to get used.
Plan Ahead The big piece of advice I can give you on the restaurant front, as with most others is, plan ahead. For starters, choose your eatery wisely. Do they use “disposable” versus reusable plates and utensils. If it’s the former, can you use the stuff in your bag instead of what they give you?
When you sit down, take a good look around and see if anything jumps out. Do all the kids have Styrofoam cups? Are they giving out “disposable” menus (in which case you can share one)? Taking a moment or two to think ahead will most likely save you some trash in the long run and don’t be afraid to ask for something if it’s not unreasonable.
Finally, if you are really the type to prep ahead, check out Eat Well. You’ll be able to find an organic restaurant near you and if it’s a good one, half the battle is won before you even arrive.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Holiday Tip #17 - Gift Idea: Orikaso Bowl
Trying to figure out last minute gifts on a budget? Why not pick up an Orikaso bowl for that special someone in your life. They only cost about $3, will help that special person in your life cut down on waste, and most importantly are SUPER COOL! REI carries them as does Sport Chalet and several other sporting good/camping stores.
Day 352 - Thursday 12/18/08
Today's Haul:
- 1 candy bar wrapper - garbage
- 1 tea bag cover - worms
- 1 tea bag - worms
- 1 cliff bar wrapper - recycle
- 1 cardboard ice cream sandwich box - recycle
- 1 plastic ice cream sandwich tray - recycle
- 1 plastic bag form ice cream sandwiches - recycle
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Day 351 - Wednesday 12/17/08
Today's Haul:
- 1 beer bottle w/top - recycle
- 2 cardboard backings from videocassetes - recycle
- 2 plastic windows from video cassettes - recycle
- 2 wrappers from videocassettes - recycle
- 1 milk jug ring - recycle
- 1 plastic tortilla bag - recycle
Holiday Tip #16 - Go Rechargeable
According to the EPA, close to 40% of all gifts given this year will require batteries of some sort. As many of those will be the standard C,D, Multiple A, and 9 volt, why not give them a nice set of rechargeable batteries and a charger to go with it? It'll save them money, save on e-waste recycling (and landfill space as a lot of people throw these things out) and you'll be the super cool gift giver that you always wanted to be.
If you're stumped on what's watt (I sleigh myself) with batts, fear not, the internet is here!
Dave
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Holiday Tip #15 - Scrap the Wrapping Paper
I've never really understood wrapping paper. You pay through the nose for something that someone is going to rip apart and throw away after one use. It's kind of nuts. Thankfully, the Japanese have had a great alternative for centuries, Furoshiki!
Furoshiki Gift Wrapping - Celebrity bloopers here
Day 350 - Tuesday 12/16/08
Today's Haul:
- 1 plastic butter spread tub w/top PP5 - recycle
- 1 toilet paper roll - worms
- 1 tea bag cover - worms
- 1 tea bag - worms
- 2 used q-tips - worms
- 1 paper studio pass - worms
- 1 Cliff bar wrapper - worms
- 1 tin can - recycle
Day 349 - Monday 12/15/08
Today's Haul:
- 1 cookie bag - garbage
- 1 plastic pasta bag - recycle
- 1movie popcorn bag - garbage
- 1 glass cider bottle w/top - recycle
- 2 large pieces of scrap paper - worms
- 1 piece of paper towel- worms
- 18 ozs paper from mail/bills etc. - worms/recycle
Monday, December 15, 2008
Holiday Tip #14 - Food Glorious Food
Here's a quick link to an LA times story on 50 ideas for a homemade edible present this year.
Dave
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Holiday Tip #13 - Give A Little Get A Little
We try to do this with our kids, with a fair amount of success, but it occurs to me it should extend to us adults as well. In preparation for the holiday gift receiving, we try to ask the kids to go though their toys and find some things they don't use as much as they used to. Same goes for clothes and books. We then head to a local thrift store and donate them, or to a religious institution depending on what we have/they need. I think this is a really important part of the holiday season as it sets up the idea that you just can't keep getting, but you have to give as well. Spread it around a little and the stuff won't pile up as much also.
Dave
Day 348 - Sunday 12/14/08
Today's Haul:
- 1 bottle teriyaki sauce - recycle
- 2 plastic food containers - repurpose
- 1 chips bag - garbage
- 1 used razor - garbage
