All Questions
2,152
questions
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11
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In which garbage container should i throw the mug from the coffee maker?
I live in Spain. In which container should I throw this - the mug from the coffee maker? It has plastic, glass and metal. The green container is for glass. The yellow container is for plastic and ...
2
votes
0
answers
19
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How "eco" is the (3hr+) Eco mode on dishwashers
Our domestic dishwasher has an "Eco" mode that takes around 3.5 hours to run. I presume that the time includes lots of resting time to allow the contents to soak.
However, I find it very ...
1
vote
0
answers
17
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Measuring Home Heat Loss
I am interested in testing/measuring my house to see how leaky it is and how bad the insulation is. If my house is poorly sealed and insulated then I will know how to improve it and I can retest it ...
1
vote
1
answer
18
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Do whirlybirds rotate from an internal air current?
I understand that whirlybirds are designed to spin with the wind creating a vacuum inside and hence draw out air in a roof space. What I'm curious about is whether an air current from inside a roof ...
0
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0
answers
10
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Does DEF really reduce NOx emissions by 70-90%?
Is there a discussion about the usefulness of DEF or is it pretty much a clear cut wonder-weapon against emissions?
I read somewhere that NOX can disappear within seconds spontaneously and its not ...
0
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0
answers
13
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Connecting 12v and 24v
I have two batteries 12v each and 2 inverters one is 24v inverter and the other 12v is there a way I can connect both inverters
0
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4
answers
43
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Is it sustainable to eat meat that would otherwise go for animal feed?
It is possible to purchase offal mostly from cows and pigs at the butcher. While this is generally sold as dog food it is treated with human food hygiene standards at my butcher at least. I am ...
0
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12
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What are the best medicinal plants that can be grown in a backyard or kitchen garden?
The ones that I already have:
Chicory: Known for its digestive benefits, chicory can help stimulate appetite and aid in digestion.
Yarrow: Yarrow has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, ...
0
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0
answers
10
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Oekobaudat API - Data structure changes and staying informed
I'm working on a project to automatically enrich building information models with EPD data using the Oekobaudat API (https://www.oekobaudat.de/en.html). However, I've recently encountered an issue ...
2
votes
1
answer
31
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What's the proper cable to connect this power station to a solar panel?
My uncle gave me his old 1000w portable power station. I already have a Bluetti SP120 portable solar panel that has mc4 connectors. I'd like to use this to the power station. I tried googling it to no ...
1
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0
answers
18
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Controlling underfloor electrical heating
What is the most cost effective form of controlling the electricity use whilst still having toastie warm feet on the tile floors? We currently have underfloor electrical heating on room air ...
0
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0
answers
17
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Ensuring Long-Term Data Accessibility in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for the Building Sector: Strategies and Challenges
I'm currently dealing with a challenge regarding the long-term accessibility of data in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) setups, particularly within the Building sector. One recurring concern is ensuring ...
1
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0
answers
17
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Are there sustainable footwear alternatives to leather boots/shoes?
I'm trying to make sure my next main set of shoes aren't just cheap plastic tat, but I'm struggling to find good alternatives. My criteria are:
Good enough shape to walk in all day without damaging ...
0
votes
2
answers
65
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Why are EVs tagged as green when they consume so much?
There's alot of greenwashing when it comes to electriv vehicles no doubt. One major point I noticed that seems to slip through the cracks is that they don't need to be as fast as they are. The faster ...
0
votes
0
answers
20
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Infrared microwave
Microwaves are very efficient because they heat the food much more than the (highly reflective) walls of the oven. However, they heat the food throughout and thus won't make a nice crisp.
Most metals ...
0
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3
answers
70
views
What is an environmentally friendly alternative to bubblegum for freshening one's breath?
In North America, what is a more long-term sustainable alternative to bubblegum for freshening one's breath?
Suppose that x and y are elements of the set of all substances edible to men, women, and ...
2
votes
2
answers
85
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Homescale designs for plastic incinerators?
I'm under the impression that it's better to burn the plastic and maybe get a bit of energy from it than disposing it somewhere only for it to deteriorate into many microplastic particles.
That said, ...
2
votes
3
answers
76
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Can a significant pay rise realistically not affect my carbon impact?
In a previous part of my life, to reduce my environmental footprint, I consciously kept my salary low. My thinking was, even saving the money wouldn't help, as banks would invest them in energy ...
0
votes
1
answer
59
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Powering a small apartment
I recently saw a sale on EcoFlow products (in this case, an EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra Starter Kit) so I decided to contiue researching ways to power up my small apartment without having a rooftop full ...
0
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0
answers
22
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Where can I find South and South East Asian fish fingerlings in Europe?
I am interested in farming South and Southeast Asian fish species (e.g., Labeo catla, Labeo rohita, Heteropneustes fossilis, Channa punctata, etc.) in my backyard pond in Germany.
How can I obtain ...
2
votes
0
answers
37
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How to properly dispose of foreign soil?
Long story short, had some soil stuck to a vegetable that ended up passing customs (got waved through by the customs officer as they were reasonably confident there should be none present, despite ...
1
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1
answer
52
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What material is more biodegradable than plastic bristles for a toothbrush?
What sturdy fibres are more biodegradable than plastic bristles?
Assume the bacteria which eat the toothbrush bristles are a 95% or greater match in DNA comparison to bacteria which pre-date the year ...
2
votes
1
answer
71
views
What type of financing is compatible with Degrowth?
Since Degrowth is a political, economic, and social movement based on ecological economics, anti-consumerism and anti-capitalism. I wonder what type of investment could be compatible with Degrowth.
...
2
votes
0
answers
24
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Incubated chickens: how much of behaviour is nature vs. nurture?
I have dabbled with keeping some chickens in the back yard so have some basic knowledge from observing them, but I'm by no means a chicken eggspert. I know that different chicken breeds have been bred ...
2
votes
2
answers
100
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What is the environmental impact of replacing a functioning furnace with a heat pump?
It's generally accepted these days that electric vehicles are better for the environment than similar gas-powered models. Despite that, I have heard (and this very site confirms) that the most ...
3
votes
1
answer
42
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Why is it easier to retrofit an AC-coupled than a DC-coupled battery to an existing domestic PV installation?
Not wishing ever to charge a (prospective) house-battery from the grid, naively, I think of a DC-coupled battery as a sort of capacitance between existing solar panels and their inverter.
Again, ...
2
votes
0
answers
53
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How many miles per year is too few to make an EV more sustainable than a small petrol car
I need a car for occasional short journeys. My yearly millage will probably be less than 2000 miles. Is it worth getting an EV or will a small petrol be more environmental.
I’ll be buying used, ...
2
votes
1
answer
21
views
Short Life of a Battery in a Solar Cell Garden Light
I have the small garden lights with the LED lamp powered by a AA Ni-MH battery that is recharged by a solar panel on the top of the light fixture. These lights loose power and go dark within a couple ...
2
votes
1
answer
83
views
Is this symbol of three arrows pointing away from a person with a arrow surronding him a recycling symbol?
I used up a bottle of moisturising cream today, and so I looked around the bottle to find out whether I could recycle it or not. I found this symbol of a person with three arrows coming out of his ...
2
votes
1
answer
50
views
Is there a business model to do carpentry without a vehicle?
I'm currently a co-owner of a small renovations contractor in a small city (~50k) in northern Wisconsin. My equipment consists of a 7x14' trailer full of tools, large diesel truck, and minivan. All ...
1
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0
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12
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Any source of recycled / second-life PV panels in Ireland?
Does anyone know of any source of recycled / second-life PV panels in Ireland ?
I have a idea for a pathway to reuse panels but I'm missing the original source.
Many panels that are rejected from ...
3
votes
2
answers
165
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If the groundwater is unsafe to drink, does that make the sap from a maple tree unsafe to use for maple syrup?
I tried googling an answer to this one, but this is one of those times when Google just didn't provide an answer. It says that trees are good at removing contamination from soil and that harvested ...
3
votes
2
answers
102
views
How do buildings with eco-electricity know their electricity is eco?
Walking around the city centre of Warsaw I saw a poster placed by a construction zone of a new skyscraper. The poster said something along the lines "our building will use electricity from ...
2
votes
2
answers
50
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Sustainability and ethics of buying a domestic battery from a higher emissions country
I've been mulling over whether to have a domestic battery installed. I already have solar panels. I know that installing a battery will reduce my reliance on grid electricity, however I have ...
3
votes
1
answer
128
views
Inexpensive way of permanently running a fridge with solar power?
I have about USD $3,000 that I can use to invest in solar-powered alternatives at my apartment. Since I live in Latin America, my small rooftop receives tons of sunlight 12 hours/day but is not big ...
6
votes
1
answer
80
views
Does my facial scrub contain microplastics?
I was wondering if my facial scrub contains any microplastics. In particular, the tiny beads that are inside the soap, are they made of plastic? Are they polluting the waste water or they just ...
1
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2
answers
62
views
For Electric vehicles, HOW are miles per gallon equivalent (or L/100 Km) calculated, accounting for different sources of energy in the grid?
Could someone giver a clear and authoritative answer on HOW miles per gallon equivalent (or L/100 Km) are calculated for Battery electric Vehicles like Tesla Model 3 AWD long range? On the Electric ...
3
votes
2
answers
131
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Why are EV batteries so much cheaper than household batteries from a per kWh basis?
If anything - shouldn't the EV battery have more requirements and be more expensive?
It needs to be lighter as that affects efficiency
It needs to have safety aspects like not blowing up in a crash
A ...
0
votes
1
answer
32
views
Where to find the column "Decadence Now", which is cited in _Garbology_
My favorite book about garbage is Garbology, by US journalist Edward Humes. It discusses garbage, what we do with it, and better ways to deal with it.
The book is about a decade old, but still ...
1
vote
1
answer
123
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How to get rid of half a can of durable water repellent spray (similar to 3M Scotchgard)
(Cross-posted, together with additional questions, to a post on the /r/Anticonsumption sub-Reddit.)
I have an 8 ounce (~200 g) can of Foot Locker ultra fabric & leather protector spray. I guess ...
0
votes
1
answer
18
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Does anyone know of a map of Solar PV Installers in Ireland?
Just checking if there's anyone else in Ireland out there ?
I'll be using the SolarMeitheal tag to group all questions about domestic Solar PV in Ireland.
The Meitheal idea is a workgroup or a peer-to-...
6
votes
1
answer
76
views
Does it matter whether I recycle packaging as one contiguous chunk or as separated parts?
I deliberately avoid cutting off or tearing off parts of packaging which I intend to recycle as in my mind I would imagine that this makes the recycling process easier. But does it actually? Is there ...
2
votes
0
answers
22
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Is there a energetically low way to chemically degrade / destroy cement and concrete?
Personally I dislike cement and concrete. Nothing grows on it, it's hard and unconfortable and exists for cars rather than living beings. There are some concrete spots in front of my house where I ...
2
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0
answers
22
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Resources on reflective cooling
Preparing for the next heatwave with something more sustainable than air conditioning, I'm looking into the idea of installing cooling reflectors as promoted by the site www.meer.org (basically, ...
1
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0
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29
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Which alternatives to PFAS-contaminated cardboards for vermicomposting?
Vermicomposters add cardboard pieces to their waste in order to provide a source of carbon and to dry/ventilate the medium to avoid any hot fermentation. The amount of cardboard is usually high to ...
3
votes
2
answers
91
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How to prevent rust on garden tools
Without using chemicals that I cannot easily produce myself, is there a way to prevent garden tools from rusting? They are bound to stay* outdoors, protected from direct rain.
I tried sunflower oil, ...
0
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2
answers
54
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What kind of lenses used for eyewear doesn’t melt in the oven?
Hello and sorry for my silly question! I want to create a pair of sunglasses made of Fimo (polymer clay). I know, maybe no one did something like this, but I'm ambitious when it comes to nonsense. To ...
0
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2
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68
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Because dirty dishes stink, I have to run a half empty dishwasher. How environmentally harmful is that with modern appliances?
My dishwasher is modern, bought 1 year ago.
Because dirty dishes stink, I have to run a half empty dishwasher. Unfortunately I have no other choice, even fungus develops when the dirty dishes are too ...
0
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1
answer
29
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Why does my max power produced differ depending on the resistance of the test load?
I have a pair of solar panels mounted on my roof. They are rated 90W each, but I want to know, given my latitude and installation, what amount of power they are actually able to generate. I have a ...
4
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1
answer
62
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Is it inefficient to turn off the airconditioner for short durations of less than two hours?
I was recently recommended not to turn off the airconditioner (A/C) when leaving a room for two hours or less but instead to increase the temperature setting closer to the outside temperature. The ...