7
votes
Accepted
Any problem with storing compost in a sealed container for several weeks? Alternatives?
When you seal everything airtight the contents of your bin will start to decompose anaerobically. There are no big problems with this, but there are a few downsides:
anaerobic decomposition is slower ...
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6
votes
Accepted
Why is composting of food waste "better" than burning it?
Composting has many benefits beyond dealing with waste
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lists several benefits of composting:
Compost reduces and in some cases eliminates the need for ...
- 11.8k
5
votes
Using other peoples resources for basic living
It's reasonable to say that a lifestyle can still be sustainable even if not everybody could live that way. It's like filling a niche in an ecosystem. Obviously we can't all eat discarded/excess meals,...
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4
votes
Can I give fruit syrup and soda syrup to birds in winter?
From many references, e.g. this good one,
The best foods to offer birds in colder weather have a high fat or oil content that will provide abundant energy for winter survival. Nutritious winter ...
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4
votes
Is cheese wax compostable?
Babybel wax is made of a blend of paraffin and microcrystalline waxes and colouring.
This paper seems to say that paraffin waxes are biodegradable, but I only have access to the abstract:
The wax ...
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3
votes
Is cheese wax compostable?
Cheese wax is made mostly of paraffin, which is petroleum-based, so it is not compostable.
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3
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How can a purely vegan diet be the most sustainable?
What to do with waste products, if not feed them to animals?
Organic (of or relating to an organism) waste products all compost and if you want everyone in the world to live on grains and vegetables ...
- 1,603
3
votes
Using other peoples resources for basic living
No, it's not sustainable.
As per your comment, you're not doing anything economically productive, but you are consuming goods and services. It doesn't matter that those goods and services are free to ...
- 14.7k
3
votes
How to recycle almond shells?
They compost slowly even by the standards of my undersized compost bins. But the big lumps can always go back in for another go. If you have access to a garden shredder, put them through that first. ...
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2
votes
Is it better to dispose of food scraps with a garbage disposal unit or into the garbage?
If you find that certain foods are contributing to a lot of "scraps," try googling that specific item to find if there is an alternate use for them. If there is none, and you can't find a creative ...
2
votes
Sustainability of waste incineration vs biofuel/biogas?
I can only answer regarding the actual plant. If food wastes need to be trucked all around Sweden when the incinerator is down the road, the picture may be different.
Biogasification of food wastes, ...
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2
votes
Accepted
How could I use egg yolk from boiled eggs?
I assume you are already putting some or all of the egg shell in with your plants.
I looked around and using egg yolk as a fertilizer has several issues. If you have an outdoor compost pile you could ...
- 258
2
votes
How exactly does food waste generate huge amounts of greenhouse gas emissions?
tl;dr: food that isn't eaten still takes energy and land to produce, resulting in GHG emissions.
The article references The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization as the source of the food waste ...
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1
vote
Can we do without plastic film without an explosive growth of food waste?
The short answer is yes. Plastic film has been used in developed countries since the 1980s, maybe mid 1970s. There was a time when plastic film didn't exist.
Plastic film is convenient, it's why we ...
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1
vote
How exactly does food waste generate huge amounts of greenhouse gas emissions?
Bacteria metabolize it release methane and other products. Similar to organics decomposing in a swamp or soil.
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1
vote
Accepted
What do developed nations do with organic municipal waste?
I don't know that any nation has a uniform system of domestic waste collection and processing/disposal. Waste collection and disposal systems are usually determined by municipal councils, either ...
- 3,517
1
vote
What percentage of waste food is turned into electricity and/or biogas?
Any organic material decomposing in a anaerobic or near anaerobic situation will produce methane.
I question your assumption that the source in landfills is mostly food in origin from individuals. ...
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1
vote
What are the ecological effects of buying "imperfect produce"?
The “it would go to waste” is often a marketing gimmick. Much of that produce would be sold anyway or it would be used for juice, purée, etc. where the end user doesn’t see the “ugliness” anyway.
To ...
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vote
What are the ecological effects of buying "imperfect produce"?
The quantity of imperfect produce that never makes it to market is staggering. This is a huge opportunity for enterprising individuals who are able to recognize how much money can be made by simply ...
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1
vote
Any problem with storing compost in a sealed container for several weeks? Alternatives?
I can't imagine this will cause you any problems. The only difference is the anaerobic (no oxygen) bacteria will be doing more work in your sealed container instead of aerobic bacteria (requiring ...
- 375
1
vote
Using other peoples resources for basic living
There's a term used which may apply to such a lifestyle: freeganism.
From Wikipedia:
Freeganism is a practice and ideology of limited participation in the conventional economy and minimal consumption ...
- 11.8k
1
vote
Accepted
Using other peoples resources for basic living
I wouldn't focus on negative answers...
It's ALL POSSIBLE!
Yes it is sustainable... At least for one person as well as you are doing already, dealing with unconscious waste.
MAYBE it will be ...
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