As more and more Americans grow their own fruits and vegetables, MNN digs up some dirt on this DIY food revolution.
It sounds crazy — and in fact it might sound controversial.
But the folks at Terracycle, known for creative upcycling of big-company consumer waste, have made a deal with … Big Tobacco!
Here’s the thinking, and it’s definitely interesting:
We have been attempting to work with the tobacco industry for some time. And I am happy to say that we recently signed our first and second tobacco deals (both programs will start in a few weeks). One is with Canada’s largest tobacco company, the other with one of America’s largest tobacco companies. Both programs will allow TerraCycle to collect and recycle cigarette butts and other cigarette-related waste.
Regardless of what we think of tobacco, we can all agree that the litter caused by cigarette butts is a major issue. In Texas, the Department of Transportation has estimated that more than 130 million cigarette butts will find their way onto Texas highways this year. Globally, it has been estimated that more than a trillion butts make their way into our environment as discarded waste every year.
Our solution involves separating the paper, tobacco and ash from the filter. The organic materials are then composted properly, leaving the part that looks like white cotton but is actually a form of plastic called cellulose acetate (while this material can be made from organic materials almost all cigarette makers use plastics).
The cellulose acetate is then sanitized and injection-molded into a plastic that can be used for a variety of uses, such as plastic pallets and car berms for factories.
Finally a good use for the remnants of juicing #compost #recycling #green (Taken with instagram)
This is a great story about a composting project I helped develop at the University of Utah.
Happy worms… it’s mango season! #compost #GardenFresh #Gardening #畑 (Taken with Instagram at Saint Louis Heights)
Hey everyone,
I’ll be taking a short hiatus from original posts for a few days. I had a small kitchen accident yesterday and needed 5 stitches in my knuckle. I’ll try to put a few reblogs in the queue, but there will be a shortage of posts until this heals a bit.
Thank you all! Also, submissions are open so feel free to add in any advice or stories about your composting, gardening and/or recycling experiences!
-L
Bennefits of a compost / Beneficios del compostaje
Things that can be recycled: 14 unique items
Check with your local department of public works because in many areas, you can recycle more than ever.
there are compostable, reusable, or recyclable items.
There are no exceptions.
Disposal means “removing from your line of sight” and placing in landfills far away, ruining the quality of the Earth.
First off, what is compost? Compost is a mix of organic materials that are undergoing decomposition. Most yard waste and food scraps are biodegradable, and composting keeps that stuff out of the landfill! Another good thing about compost is that it enriches the soil and makes a good fertilizer.
What can be composted?
Leaves, twigs, small branches, bark, straw, grass clippings, paper, various livestock manures, fruit and veggie scraps, egg shells, and coffee grounds.
The materials don’t have to be in a bin, but it will better contain the materials if you do. You can use something simple like chicken wire or a plastic bin from the store.
How do I compost?
First, assemble your ingredients. Have a soil base before you start adding everything. Your carbon ingredients should include things like: leaves, bark, woodchips, twigs, and paper. About 50-75% of the pile should be carbons. The nitrogen ingredients include grass, fruits and veggies, coffee grounds, and egg shells. The nitrogens should be 25-50% of the pile.
Water: The pile needs to be kept damp, not soaking. If you pick up a handful and squeeze it tightly, a few drops of water should come out.
Air: Make sure you turn or fluff the pile often with a pitchfork or garden spade so that air can move easily through the pile. This will make sure it decomposes more quickly and also keeps it from smelling bad.
How do I build the pile?
Pick a location out of the way, but still convenient so you can add kitchen scraps. Use a digging fork to ‘turn’ the soil at the bottom and then add a layer of carbons. Then add a layer of nitrogens, and alternate. My source says that the pile should be a minimum of 3 feet by height, width, and length and a maximum of 5 feet in those measurements. As you add layers, use a hose to spray every few layers to make sure it’s moist all the way through.
Remember to turn the pile. You don’thaveto. But it does help to speed things up!
Depending on several factors (size, contents, moisture), the compost can be finished between 3 and 12 months.
(Source: Knoxville Public Services)
