14
votes
How many times do you need to use a cheap re-usable bag to offset its impact?
The cheapest reusable bags round here are made of the same plastic as disposable bags. In this case the number of uses required is simply the ratio of the weights. Without getting the scales out I ...
- 2,116
12
votes
Accepted
Mismatched socks? What to do with hundreds of them?
Just about anything you would normally do with rags, but these ones are already in tube and bag form:
Use for washing, polishing and cleaning - just put your hand inside
Use to keep stuff in - small ...
- 425
11
votes
Accepted
Is plastic food packaging 100% reusable?
There is a difference between reuse and recycling. Reuse is using a container again without major modifications. Recycling is transforming a container into its core elements and using that to make an ...
- 14.5k
8
votes
How do I get rid of numerous small pieces of charcoal?
You are talking about black gold that has a value of AU$40 per 25 litre bag in my area. I would suggest either selling it or putting it back into the soil.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biochar ...
- 2,804
7
votes
Reusing or recycling old CD's and DVD's
TLDR: CDs and DVDs can be safely reused or recycled as long as you don't heat them. Specialized recycling companies can recycle them for you, but this may cost you money.
CDs and DVDs are mainly ...
- 14.5k
7
votes
Accepted
How can I reuse or upcycle used, leftover, tiny bath soap bar bits?
I'm not sure about donating leftover bits... But for recycling/reusing, what I normally do is grab a new bar, and at the end of my shower/bath, get both the new bar and the small used piece(s) wet and ...
- 186
7
votes
Accepted
Reuse or "dollar vote"?
Interesting question.
The second-hand market is only relevant to companies that engage in it. Tractor manufacturers, for example, often have dealerships that sell new, accept trade-ins, and thus ...
- 2,804
7
votes
Accepted
How can ceramics be recycled?
Recycling ceramics is possible, but it looks like it is still rare. This is an example of a business crushing bathroom porcelain into fine clay to then melt it again in a kiln and produce tiles. The ...
- 3,272
6
votes
How can ceramics be recycled?
Use them to line the bottom of a pot for drainage. Line a walk way. Fill in a pot hole. Treat them like gravel.
- 384
6
votes
Accepted
How to get the most out of computer hardware before it becomes obsolete?
There are some differences began the situation for laptops and desktops, as well as some common solutions. Desktop machines obviously use more resources in manufacturing, and may use more electricity, ...
- 2,116
5
votes
Accepted
How to clean a reusable plastic coffee cup, such as KeepCup?
Wash it in a dishwasher once every month or two. I own a Contigo mug, and once had similar problems with the plastic/rubber lid. I found some tips on their website, but ultimately found that if I ...
- 11.8k
5
votes
How can I extend the life of mobile phones that can't be used in my country anymore?
Not all developed countries are phasing out 2G. Here in The Netherlands for example several major providers still support 2G and say that they will continue to support it for the coming years.
You ...
- 14.5k
5
votes
Is there an efficient way to dispose of credit cards?
Before doing anything make sure your credit cards are not usable/active anymore. You don't want anyone to misuse them!
Reuse
Reuse is almost always preferred over recycling because that usually doesn'...
- 14.5k
5
votes
How many times do you need to re-use cloth napkins to offset their impact?
Traditionally in household use, a cloth napkin was used a week. Hence monogrammed napkin rings, so you would get your own at hte table next time. This however is an aesthetic decision.
Another ...
- 7,207
5
votes
Why is so much railroad steel not recycled?
The old rails are certainly reused frequently here in the UK - they start off being used on high-speed lines. When they're too worn for that they get reused on low-speed lines, and then again on ...
- 773
5
votes
Accepted
Keep my hands warm while working on a laptop?
I use a pair of wool fingerless gloves. They don't impair dexterity and even though they leave fingers exposed they cover enough that my entire hands remain comfortable.
- 1,603
4
votes
Accepted
How many times do you need to use a cheap re-usable bag to offset its impact?
Summary: According to this independent study if you look at global warming potential, for a sturdy LDPE bag you need to use it at least 4 times, for an even sturdier non-woven PP bag with inserts it's ...
- 14.5k
4
votes
How to benefit from air-conditioning water
You certainly can use it as water to grow plants. But better not drinking it, since it can host bacteria in the long run.
There is good stuff about it here: http://www.slate.com/articles/...
- 1,407
4
votes
How to sustainably dispose of or break down used cooking oils?
You can compost the oil / grease if you have the room. It's just not as easy to do as most kitchen waste. Oil tends to make your compost pile anaerobic, so its gets smelly and can attract vermin. But ...
- 41
4
votes
Is the drain-off water from water purifiers fit for gardening?
I collect water in a bucket using extension feeder pipe as shown in figure.
I reuse the water released from system for daily household cleaning purpose. I checked the TDS value at all stages and it ...
- 303
4
votes
Accepted
How to start sustainable living in UAE?
There are lots of small things you can do. The list is potentially endless and really depends on what you consider to be 'small' effort. But to give a few examples:
Always carry a sturdy reusable bag ...
- 14.5k
3
votes
Does the Reduce-Reuse-Recycle rule always apply?
Reduce-Reuse-Recycle
The main exception I can think of is upcycling - rather than reuse a product, you recycle it into a better product. This is most obvious with computational electronics, where a ...
- 1,307
3
votes
What are some ways to affordably furnish a temporary apartment?
I have been building bed frames, tables, chairs, wine racks, and many other different things out of old pallets. I look for companies that are giving them away and collect as many as I can store. I ...
3
votes
How good is it to reuse water from plant pots?
Recycling water is always a good initiative, but there is one golden rule: You MUST avoid re-use it in a "circle", because of the accumulation of minerals and chemicals.
Always think of a "chain" ...
- 129
3
votes
How can we dispose or recycle hair clippings from barber shops?
Hair can also be used to clean oil spills. Stuffed into upcycled pantyhose, it serves as an eco-friendly way of adsorbing oil spills which then allegedly can be composted with the help of worms.
...
- 189
3
votes
Mismatched socks? What to do with hundreds of them?
If they are pretty stretchy you can cut off the tops and use them to make cozies for your drinks containers. Here's how: gather and stitch the cut end to close the tube in a round fashion. This is ...
- 31
3
votes
What's the most sustainable way to re-use or dispose of meat scraps?
Get a pig. Or some chickens. You still need to follow some hygiene rules before feeding them meat scraps, check your local agri/health advisory office.
- 425
3
votes
Ideas for Altoid cans?
The Internet is full of Altoids tins ideas -- they are very popular for creating little pocket survival kits and much more. 22 Ways to Reuse an Altoids Tin and 227 Best Geeky Altoids Tin Projects on ...
- 31
3
votes
How to sustainably dispose of or break down used cooking oils?
While you have dismissed it in your question, I'd say that the best way to dispose of old oil is to convert it to Bio-Diesel and burn it - that reduces the amount of conventional Diesel that is dug ...
- 773
3
votes
How can I reuse or upcycle used, leftover, tiny bath soap bar bits?
Another option would be to use a cheese grater to turn the soap into flakes for use as laundry soap. Lux, in fact, is available as laundry flakes from the supermarket.
Cannot comment on the ...
- 348
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