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.