County Collaborations

County Collaborations

Festival of Trees in Picton

Festival of Trees in Picton

Idea #21 - peaksaver thermostat

"Conserving energy, one degree at a time."

Make sure you read those inserts that come with your Hydro One electricity bill.  I read about the peaksaver™ program, and decided "why not". The program is designed to help reduce brown-outs during the hot summer months when central air conditioners hog the grid.  I rarely use my A/C anyhow, but being on the program seems like the right thing to do.

Hydro One will control my thermostat during peak periods, and will raise the temperature in my home so that the A/C doesn't automatically turn on.

This free program includes the installation of a new $250 digital thermostat, and a $25 credit on my next bill. The new digital thermostat should help reduce my gas bill during the winter months.

This offer seems "too good to be true".

Idea # 20 - In Setu

My new Setu chair from Herman Miller was worth rethinking. 

Technology has changed how and where we work. Now we work anywhere and everywhere. No matter where we work we want a comfortable chair.

Introducing Setu. Its innovative kinematic spine bends and flexes to your every move. There's nothing to tilt, nothing to tweak. Setu's finely tuned elastomeric fabric provides superior suspension and conforms to your contours. It's comfort now.

Idea #19 - Burn, Burn, Burn

Those little bits of paper, like kleenex, envelopes and plain wrappers, now go into a brown paper bag that lines a waste paper basket.  The paper bag eventually gets thrown into my Weber kettle BBQ.  After a pleasant fire, the cold ashes go itno the new garden bed that is composting over winter. I like the idea of putting "good"ash into the garden instead of a landfill.

Can I compost ashes?

It depends. Untreated wood or paper ashes are OK. They won't help your composting but they won't hurt it either. Ashes from barbecues, plywood, treated wood or glossy paper can contain toxic materials that you don't want in your compost.

The Weber is set up securely on rocks so that it burns safely. Its' easy to do in small batches with one match.  Burning is  not brilliant - but my objective is to rethink and refuse waste, not to be brilliant.  The rethinking is to bring paper into the house that is clean enough for burning. Refuse toxic, glossy paper.

Idea #18 - Recharge!

I splurged on rechargeable AA batteries that came with a recharger that plugs into an outlet. My clock loses time more rapidly, but I can pop the batteries into the recharger, and all is well again.

Disposing of used batteries is a problem. Although there are many outlets that offer to take them, you have to get into the habit of doing this, and you're just redistributing unnecessary waste.

Why are retailers allowed to sell non-rechargeable batteries? If plastic bags are against the law in Toronto, you would think one-time-use batteries would be outlawed too.

Idea # 17 - No Bones

This idea is really easy.  Buy boneless chicken so that you don't have to worry about putting greasy bones into the waste.

Kraft Canada has lots of recipes for boneless chicken on their website.

See, I told you it was easy.

Idea # 16 - Paw Prints

Time to eat the Dog?

Robert Vale wrote a book recently suggesting that family pets are bad because they have a large environmental footprint.  Vale claims that large household pets chew up more resources than over-sized cars. Is getting rid of the family dog an option?

This blog isn't about eating or getting rid of the family dog. Its' a tribute to my two pooches that died over the past year.  Although I have less waste to consider, my heart is broken.  I'd live with a mountain of trash to have my little guys here with me today.

Idea #15 - Club House Spices

Yummy.

Thai Coconut Chicken

A nice little paper packet of delicious Club House spices.  Add coconut milk, some thinly cut veggies, dabs of peanut butter and fresh chicken. Twenty minutes later I have a delicious dinner that looks like it took hours of preparation. 

Waste factor:

1. styrofoam packaging for the chicken
2. small tin can for the coconut milk
3. paper from spice packet and can label.

The paper things are going into a paper bag that will be burned in my Weber Kettle BBQ.
The ashes can go into the garden, so my waste factor is still very low for this meal.

Idea # 14 - Nespresso in Buenos Aires

While visiting Buenos Aires, I stayed at the very smart Tailor Made Hotel. After waking up to a sun-filled private courtyard, I experienced the delight of Nespresso.  The day began by selecting an aluminum coffee packet and plunking it into the Nespresso machine. Voila! a perfect cup of coffee at the touch of a button.

I began daydreaming about Nespresso.

Nespresso is mastering the art of coffee marketing with an eco-conscious website where you can order machines and coffee refills.  The website says they're planning to develop a recycling program for the  aluminum packaging on a country-by-country basis. Switzerland has 1,190 collection points - so what does that say about the power of Nestle??

So, idea #14 is about daydreaming about my perfect Tailor Made Hotel holiday over a cup of paper-filtered coffee that actuallly doesn't taste too bad.

#13 - Joy

What is the point of having a waste-free home without joy, and without jazz?? 

My good friend Helga Boelen spends many patient hours working on her glass and stone mosaics. She believes that works of art should have a bit of joy, and and a bit of jazz.  I find myself looking for these two things in art and fashion.

At a recent art exhibition, I purchased a large photograph, Poet Tree, taken by Theresa Durning. Its' a beautiful black and white image of trees in Sandbanks Provincial Park. The jazz is found in a section of trees colorized with warm pinky-orange tones.  This simple composition will bring me great joy for many years.

Joy in my home is part of the journey.

Idea # 12 - Disposable razors

I'm a girly-girl who likes smooth shins. Shaving my legs is a must in a daily beauty regimen. I had no regrets saying good-bye to my last Bic disposable.
I probably throw out 40 disposable razors in a year.

Hairy legs are not an option.

My options are to enjoy a professional parafin wax treatment at Indulgence Spa, or to use store-bought Nair.  Since these alternatives are less convenient and more expensive,  I'll rely on a classic replaceable-blade razor I've had for years.

Idea # 11 - Laundry detergent jugs

The bigger, the better for re-purposing liquid laundry detergent jugs.

I often use Purex 2.95 L HE for 4 loads/week, or about 3 jugs per year.

With winter coming, I'll be stocking up on salt (or the eco-friendly replacement for salt) for my icy walkways. This stuff is sold in plastic bags and can be poured into a wide-mouthed plastic jug for spreading. I'll keep the jug near the door, or in the car, so its' ready to use when needed.

Jug #2 can be used for fertilizing & watering around the garden.
Jug #3 one can be used for scooping beach sand, also for the garden (my little secret for better soil).

There's a long-term problem because I may not need to replenish jugs in future. Alternatives are to find a re-fill centre for liquid laundry soap, or a 132-load jug that can be re-purposed in another way. This is why bigger is better!

Another trick is to use less soap than what the packaging suggests. Some things, like towels, just need a hot soapy rinse for hygienic purposes.

Idea #11 - The phone bill

Exceeding my monthly quote of cell phone minutes has resulted in a full-blown attack with my phone company.

After grappling with Emily, the notorious telephonic gate-keeper, I decided to 'go it alone' with bell.ca and opted for paperless billing. My average 14 pages+ per month of billing details are available on-line, anytime, anywhere.

I'll save $2 / month for opting out of paper bills. Why do I fear that the phone company will charge me $450 to change my plan?

Idea #10 - Leaves, uninvited

The lawn is covered with uninvited maples leaves from the neighbouring trees. This is really good waste, and doesn't need to be burned or hauled away.

I've staked a 12' round area of lawn for a new garden bed to be ready for next summer. I want to follow these steps for transforming leaves ➸ mulch ➸ compost ➸ soil.

The leaves will be gathered and mulched with my lawn mower* over the staked area. The mulch will decompose over the winter, and I'll add some sand and layers of newspaper to speed up the process. These steps should kill the grass and help prepare the ground underneath.

So, what's the difference between mulch and compost?

Mulch suppresses weeds, and is not meant to decompose. The mulch barrier lies exposed on the soil surface, protecting your good soil underneath. When leaves have thoroughly decomposed, they're less effective as a barrier.

Compost is the stuff that helps weeds and good things to grow.

Just to be clear, I want to make compost. November rain and winter freeze and thaw is ideal for breaking down matter for compost. Meanwhile, I can gaze at my compost pile and daydream about what to plant when spring comes along.

* I adore my battery-powered Neuton lawnmower. It comes with a mulch and bag attachment that works for collecting grass clippings. ✔ ✔ ✔

Idea # 9 - Coffee Cream Containers

My consumption of 10% coffee cream is about 35 litres per year. Holy mackerel!

So the question is whether or not the coated paper cartons can be shredded and dumped into my composter. Cream in my morning coffee is truly a joy I will not forfeit.

I searched the internet for answers.

Polycoated milk cartons are made from lightweight, high-grade paperboard sandwiched between two thin layers of polyethylene film.

Polycoat material can be converted into new material using a process known as hydrapulping. A hydrapulper is like an enormous blender, where a combination of heat, water and agitation break down the material to produce raw fibre, or pulp. The small amount of residual polyethylene can be screened off for use in other plastic and composite materials.

wasteage.com describes how LA schools collected 200 tons of milk cartons, which the city converted into compost and used to plant trees in bare urban areas. I can probably do the same on a small scale by shredding them before adding to the composter.

I wasn't 100% convinced about composting tiny bits of residual polyethylene. However, I received reassuring news from Reid's Dairy:

Our milk carton supplier stated that the carton can be shredded for your garden compactor but the plastic cap must be removed first. I hope this helps, Thank-you for your support of our products. Signed - Plant Manager, Reid's Dairy Company Ltd.

Ground Zero - A week of ideas

Seven more ideas, and I'm on day two. 357 to go.

#2 - Yogurt

Tubs. Stop buying those little yogurt containers with the foil lids. The larger ones with plastic lids can be re-purposed. Or better yet, make my own.

# 3 - Birthday Gifts

Cash. Bank notes are recycled and rarely end up in the garbage. I don't receive many gifts, except fabulous clothes from my sister, which I've worn and kept for decades. Jackie's gifts are still welcome, but cash is gladly accepted in the zone.

#4 - Magazines

Cancel. Many of my favourite publication are now on-line. Vanity Fair, J. Crew, LL Bean and CAA are history. I'll keep buying my British Home and Garden because I never throw them out anyhow.

#5 - Food Waste

Eat out. Not exactly a waste solution, but I can walk down the street and eat at  East & Main. The bistro menu includes delicious soups, and the atmosphere reminds me of Paris. C'est tres bon!

#6 - Food packaging

Paper packages. Soup mix packets provide a hot lunch when I feel the urge. Prepared food packaging is a big waste generator, especially canned goods. Time to find packaging that will decompose.

#7 - Newspaper

Compost. Newspapers that get flung on to my property are now a hot potato. But, I can't throw them back. Layering newspaper and organic waste in a lasagna pattern is the start of a great garden bed. The question is what to do with the glossy paper inserts, which may have harmful inks. I'll set those aside until I know what to do.

#8 - Stuff that gets into the house, like a free pen or calendar.

Regift. Any stuff that I comes into the zone shall be kindly re-gifted for someone who will appreciate their purpose. This is no time to be a pack rat.

Idea # 1 - My Own Private Ground Zero

I said good-bye to the garbage-man and declared my home "ground zero" for waste. This is my commitment for re-thinking and refusing any matter that comes within my zone. My game-plan is to develop new criteria for determining my needs and making choices, and to make this a fun and creative experience.

Idea # 1 - Coffee

I'm a faithful coffee drinker and have been throwing used paper filters and grinds into the garden for years. The flowers are blooming quite nicely. Instead of buying cans of coffee, I can purchase fresh grounds in paper bags, which can be re-used or thrown into the composter. This step will eliminate about 52 cans, paper labels, and plastic covers from "ground zero" in the coming year. I'm feeling a little proud already!

A simple idea every day will mean 364 more ideas in a year from now.

There are many resources on the web to help me get started. If you're interested, just google "zero waste" and you'll find lots of websites.

Wish me luck!

I am Berliner

As a child during the 60's, I grew up in a great country that was on the warm side of the cold war. My parents lost sleep over the Cuban missile crisis, and my political foundation was based on an anti-Communist and pro-West curriculum. I was always curious to know why and how a government would divide a city into two. This curiosity was satisfied recently when I went to see Berlin.

There are several places where you can see slabs of concrete, often covered in graffititi, which formed parts of the wall. Curious people can take tours or follow guidebooks that provide details of the wall's path. The structure has been down for over 20 years, so this is old news. Although the wall made an impression on my life, Berliners have not let it define who they are. The wall is something that happened during a period of time, it was oppressive; and it's history.