All Questions
2,158
questions
12
votes
3
answers
2k
views
What does "reduce reuse recycle" actually mean?
What does the slogan/sticker "reduce reuse recycle" mean? Some people seem to use it as a list of options, others as a hierarchy. But the symbol is of a cycle, so is the order really important?
12
votes
3
answers
920
views
What is the most efficient way to deal with electronic waste?
What is the most efficient way to deal with electronic waste like old computers, TVs, etc?
More specifically, I have some old CDs and DVDs. I don't want to just dump them. What should I do with these ...
12
votes
3
answers
317
views
Are there projects that use renewable energy sources to create renewable energy sources?
I recently fantasized about a project that starts from a small solar furnace (small, but can melt steel), and a small solar farm (that control the electronics).
Then all the energy is used to build ...
12
votes
4
answers
13k
views
Why can't solar stills convert sea water into fresh water?
If I replaced the foliage in this diagram with a gallon of sea water - would the resulting "fresh water" be pure enough for agriculture? For human consumption?
Is the process really that ...
12
votes
4
answers
338
views
Water heating / electricity production by using earth's warmth?
I'm very curious, why hasn't anyone done this?
In most places on earth, the temperature gets 25 degrees higher (celsius) for every kilometer in depth. How hard would it be to drill 4-5km, put a U-...
12
votes
3
answers
166
views
Reusing buckets for flower pots?
Is reusing old food buckets as flower pots actually a good sustainability practice or a bad one since I'm ruining good buckets by poking holes in the bottoms?
I get the buckets for free from my ...
12
votes
5
answers
828
views
What is a permaculture solution for dealing with deer in a suburban environment?
The old problem of the deer moving into the city. My neighborhood is overrun. So far the best solution I've seen to keep them at bay is fences or hedges. The true permaculture solution would be to ...
12
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Forcing water circulation in solar hot water installation
I'm planning an installation for heating water using solar "exchanger" panels (solar used to heat water directly, not through electricity). I don't want to bind the reservoir, panel and tap locations ...
12
votes
4
answers
16k
views
Should I worry about the minimum mark on our kettle?
Our electric kettle for boiling water for tea or coffee has what looks like a minimum mark at 0.8 litres (though on closer inspection it says “mini” rather than “min”!). I try to save energy by ...
12
votes
3
answers
241
views
Options to suggest to landlord for cost savings via renewable energy?
I have a landlord who is very interested in saving money. I wanted to suggest options to her to help her save money while reducing environmental footsteps. However she is not motivated to save the ...
12
votes
3
answers
466
views
Sustainable Roofing Materials
I want to re-roof my home, but want to use a sustainable option. Is there a resource where I can compare different sustainable options and find the best choice for my budget and situation? I'm trying ...
12
votes
3
answers
212
views
Is it better to put something potentially unrecyclable in the recycling bin or to put something recyclable in the waste bin?
This may sound like a weird question, but the other night I was about to throw away a plastic package which didn't have any recycling information on it, and I hesitated before throwing it in the waste ...
12
votes
6
answers
448
views
To what extent (if any) are electric vehicle batteries recyclable?
Are there any existing procedures for the recycling of electric vehicle car batteries, and if so what are they? In particular I'm interested in those used in the Volkswagen E-Golf, though general ...
12
votes
2
answers
580
views
Which funeral methods are more sustainable than burial or cremation?
All living things die. I will die. What are some sustainable options for handling dead bodies?
12
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Reusing, recycling or disposal of used or expired cooking oil
I have found the article How to Dispose of Cooking Oil where are these suggestions:
reuse: filter and put into a freezer or a fridge for later reuse
different purpose reuse: lava lamp, snow shovel ...
12
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Mulching or "Mini Septic" for Solid Dog Waste?
(I asked this on gardening.se but it was suggested I try asking it here. Hope this is an appropriate place to ask...)
I'm a relatively new dog owner. Living in a relatively woodsy area with an acre ...
12
votes
2
answers
194
views
Is using a menstrual cup better for the environment than using pads or tampons?
Menstrual cups can last between 5 to 10 years depending on the brand and care in use. There are many different brands and designs. E.g. Diva cups only last about the average of 5 years, while Mooncup ...
12
votes
3
answers
390
views
Is it economical / sustainable to switch from CFL to LED?
In my house, I currently have a mix of incandescent, CFL, and LED bulbs. I have a supply of additional CFL and LED bulbs. My immediate plan is to go through the house and swap out the incandescent ...
12
votes
2
answers
7k
views
How can I tell biodegradable plastic bags apart from non-biodegradable?
I keep a lot of my stuff organized in normal disposable plastic bags I have left after shopping at various markets. And it works fine, except after a couple years I often find a bag in shreds, simply ...
12
votes
1
answer
473
views
What's a sustainable way to stain and protect wood?
What substances can I find to stain and protect wood that are produced without serious pollution and can be disposed of safely?
12
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What is the most environmentally-friendly fuel source (e.g. wood, coal, oils, alcohols) for campfire cooking?
When factors like emissions, renewability, and heat / energy efficiency are all taken into account, what would be the very best fuel source(s) to use for camping cooking, with sustainability and ...
12
votes
3
answers
572
views
Cost-effective alternative to rechargeable batteries?
Batteries are known to be the most unsustainable and expensive part of system exploiting renewable energy.
So I am wondering, are there any alternatives to storing energy in batteries? Here I am ...
12
votes
2
answers
308
views
Where are commercial conditions for a CCS NG or coal plant most likely to emerge in the US?
The first (likely) commercial scale coal ccs plant is scheduled to begin operation at Boundary Dam in Canada by the end of the first quarter of 2014 (Estevan Mercury). A few key points about the ...
12
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Any use for Norfolk Island Pine leaves?
We have a giant (at least 30 metre high) Norfolk Island Pine in our back yard.
Is there anything I could do to put the leaves to good use?
They don't make good use for composting or as part of the ...
12
votes
1
answer
970
views
What equation should be used to determine fish load to grow bed (filtration) ratio
When building an aquaponics system in general, what is the best equation to use to determine fish loads (waste generation) to grow bed (filtration) ratios. Is it a simple calculation of pounds of ...
12
votes
1
answer
7k
views
Which types of spare electric motors from common consumer appliances are suitable to repurpose as generators?
I've heard that washing machine motors (in particular, the Fisher & Paykel branded ones which are local to me in New Zealand) are quite suitable for repurposing for generation use.
Other types ...
12
votes
3
answers
23k
views
What are the key principles for designing a rocket stove?
I have some spare bricks lying around that I'm interested in using to build a rocket stove for cooking. What are the key principles I need to understand to build a rocket stove?
Is there a maximum ...
12
votes
1
answer
92
views
How much area to feed the colony of snails?
Snails are good source of proteins. How much area should I have to provide food for the colony of snails producing about 100kg of "meat" every year?
12
votes
1
answer
299
views
What chemicals are used to replace BPA in plastics?
And is there any reason to think that the replacement is any better than Bisphenol A (BPA) itself?
12
votes
2
answers
3k
views
How is compostable plastic recycled/composted industrially?
I know that you need industrial facilities to compost compostable plastics within a reasonable timeframe. But how does this process work exactly? How long does it take? Is it simply a matter of doing ...
12
votes
1
answer
525
views
What is the most sustainable choice to write on a whiteboard?
I write a lot on a whiteboard and I would like to find a sustainable alternative to traditional (disposable) whiteboard markers which are what I'm using right now.
I was thinking of getting a ...
12
votes
3
answers
4k
views
How food producers calculate "best before" date?
How food producers calculate "best before" date?
Why I'm asking on SL? Because I'd rather not waste food to be sustainable. And many times I'm advised (by "best before" date put on food package) to ...
12
votes
1
answer
160
views
Independent retirement vs moving in with the kids
Living in Indonesia at the moment and under long-term discussions regarding whether to move back to the US. One issue is retirement and one aspect of that is sustainability. In Indonesia, multi-...
12
votes
1
answer
248
views
Which plastics should I avoid and what qualities of plastics are important to consider?
I see a lot of DIY projects that use various plastics, even projects with a focus on sustainable processes and methods. Is the use of plastic contrary to the idea of sustainability entirely?
Are ...
12
votes
4
answers
407
views
Is biochar actually a viable way of carbon sequestration?
Biochar is often heralded as a great combination of soil improvement and carbon sequestration. However, at least on the carbon sequestration front, it seems to be a mixed bag. Biofuelwatch cites a ...
12
votes
1
answer
536
views
What strategy to follow for thinning a woodlot?
I have a woodlot roughly 10 acres (4 hectares) from which I harvest firewood. From a permaculture perspective, this is my Zone 4; Zone 5 lies along the back edge of the woodlot. I'm in the northeast ...
12
votes
2
answers
792
views
What is the actual efficiency of an air to air heat pump in the winter
We are looking at air to air heat pumps (aka reverse cycle AC units) to replace our existing electrical heaters.
Air to air heat pumps claim a COP of 3 or 4 to 1 in the manufacturing literature. ...
12
votes
2
answers
107
views
Small scale deployment of the ocean cleanup project
The Ocean Cleanup Project aims to collect floating plastic from the oceans. By having static "sea water processors" filter the water.
Are there any existing small scale deployments of this idea, i.e ...
12
votes
2
answers
248
views
What's the most sustainable way of disposing with a used battery?
We are advised by our various governments that the most environmentally-friendly way to dispose of a battery is to give it in to a designated battery recycling plant.
But could the process of doing ...
12
votes
1
answer
119
views
What produce in Central Texas works in hanging towers?
I am located near Austin. Using the hanging tower approach, what produce tends to work best in this style of aquaponics system?
11
votes
5
answers
7k
views
Is it a good idea to throw organic waste in a river?
I live in an apartment in an urban area that doesn't offer municipal compost. I store my food waste in a paper bag in my freezer. When the bag is full, I run it over to Whole Foods and dispose of ...
11
votes
4
answers
128
views
How can I find information on Ecovillages?
Ecovillages are intentional communities with the goal of becoming
more socially, economically and ecologically sustainable. Some aim for
a population of 50–150 individuals. Larger ecovillages of ...
11
votes
8
answers
2k
views
How is Natural Gas more sustainable as fuel than Gasoline?
In California, there are many natural gas vehicle options that are being promoted as more sustainable than regular gasoline vehicles. Natural gas is a by product of the natural processes that create ...
11
votes
2
answers
40k
views
Is it sustainable to bury dead animals next to plants?
I heard that dead animals can be used as fertilizers and can be helpful for making a tree grow taller and more healthy.
Once I had buried a dead dog under a lemon tree, which at first did not result ...
11
votes
3
answers
248
views
When do you know you're generating too much waste?
I (a single person, me, myself) fill and dispose a 30 liter bin every couple of days, and I feel uncomfortable with it, but I don't have a benchmark. What I want to know is considered normal waste ...
11
votes
5
answers
21k
views
Are used "blister packs" recyclable?
Now, in management of recurring everyday waste, this is something totally unavoidable.
Are tablet strips (what they call blister pack strips), after use, recyclable? Can they be dumped with dry ...
11
votes
8
answers
690
views
How can I make my family understand my CO2-emissions-related hesitation to fly in order to spend time with them?
I live in another country, approximately 2000 miles away from my family. Now, my parents have really hard time understanding the kind of personal sacrifices which are necessary to keep the world a ...
11
votes
4
answers
205
views
What are effective ways to make a home significantly more sustainable when renting?
People might not be able to buy their own home, or might even decide to rent their whole life for good reasons (it sometimes makes sense in an economical way; other people might not be able to stay at ...
11
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Is an electric shaver more sustainable than water-based shaving ? And how to determine so for one's context?
I have tried both, a low-cost electric shaver and a medium-cost regular razor for water-based shaving.
Water and Electricity, are both, equally important factors to be considered for sustainable ...
11
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Use waste heat of electrical appliances in place of traditional heating?
Does it make sense to keep electrical appliances turned on, or at least not turned off, during the winter as a partial replacement for traditional heating?
I'm thinking in particular of computers, ...