But for a simpler more practical, simpler solution is simply to return them. I give them back to my grocery store cashiers and farmers market vendors. I find they are happy to take them back for reuse, particularly the organic stands. They get it!
Monday, September 16, 2013
Simple Solutions - Rubber Bands
As hard as I try to prevent bringing things into my home that will have to been thrown away or for which I have more than I can possibly use, sometimes it seems unavoidable. One example is rubber bands. Even when shopping at a local farmers market for organic produce, you're still likely to bring home rubber bands because they are often necessary to hold your asparagus bundle together. But don't give up. There are alternatives to throwing them away. Here's one idea...
But for a simpler more practical, simpler solution is simply to return them. I give them back to my grocery store cashiers and farmers market vendors. I find they are happy to take them back for reuse, particularly the organic stands. They get it!
But for a simpler more practical, simpler solution is simply to return them. I give them back to my grocery store cashiers and farmers market vendors. I find they are happy to take them back for reuse, particularly the organic stands. They get it!
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Simple Solutions - Corks
Since deciding to hit the road to Zero Waste, I have still been trying to work out a solution with what to do with all of my corks. For the longest time, it was a non-issue, as I gave them to my dad to make trivets he would then gave away as gifts like this one below. But, when the need for gift giving waned, I was faced with a challenge.
Since then, I have been research the issue. I looked into composting and assumed that they would be given they are tree bark/plant based. While they are compostable, it's hit or miss as to whether a municipality curbside composting program will take them because they take much longer to decompose than normal compostable food waste. In one article, I read that you could put them in your compost if you grind them up into small pieces in your food processor. I didn't really like that option because I am certain it will seriously dull the blade.
So, you can imagine my delight when I stumbled across a cork return bin in Whole Foods. Someone will gather and recycle/reuse the corks for me without any inconvenience. Problem solved!
So be sure to check in at your local store (whether it be Whole Foods or even a wine store) to see if they too have a collection bin for reuse. Funny enough, one of the guys working there saw me put the corks in the bin and thanked me!! No, thank YOU!
Since then, I have been research the issue. I looked into composting and assumed that they would be given they are tree bark/plant based. While they are compostable, it's hit or miss as to whether a municipality curbside composting program will take them because they take much longer to decompose than normal compostable food waste. In one article, I read that you could put them in your compost if you grind them up into small pieces in your food processor. I didn't really like that option because I am certain it will seriously dull the blade.
So, you can imagine my delight when I stumbled across a cork return bin in Whole Foods. Someone will gather and recycle/reuse the corks for me without any inconvenience. Problem solved!
So be sure to check in at your local store (whether it be Whole Foods or even a wine store) to see if they too have a collection bin for reuse. Funny enough, one of the guys working there saw me put the corks in the bin and thanked me!! No, thank YOU!
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