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The willow feeder system is a permaculture solution for managing human waste, developed by Paul Wheaton, that prioritizes safety, sustainability, and nutrient cycling. It is designed to be a "freaky-cheap" alternative to conventional septic systems and sewage treatment plants, utilizing readily available materials like garbage cans and sawdust. The system focuses on mummifying human waste in a dry environment within sealed garbage cans to prevent composting and the escape of pathogens. This dry environment also stops the loss of valuable carbon and nitrogen to the atmosphere, which is a common issue with hot composting. After two years of aging in the sealed cans, the resulting "willow candy" is pathogen-free and can be safely applied as fertilizer. While this nutrient-rich material could be used on any garden, it is best suited for "poop beasts" like willow, cottonwood, poplar, and bamboo, which can readily absorb the high nutrient content without harm. This system promotes a closed-loop approach, turning what is often considered waste into a valuable resource for growing beneficial plants.
"Pooless," a popular concept within the permaculture community, involves eliminating commercial shampoos and soaps for a more natural approach to personal hygiene. While the initial transition can be challenging, user feedback reveals a range of positive outcomes. Many individuals, like the user in source, report that after an adjustment period, their hair reaches a natural balance, becoming less oily and requiring less frequent washing. Some, like the user in source, note improvements in hair texture, with increased body and curl, despite occasional waxiness or static. The user in source highlights the importance of the vinegar rinse after a baking soda wash to smooth the hair cuticle and prevent tangles. Source describes the psychological shift required to embrace the absence of the "slimy/silky" feeling associated with commercial conditioners. Furthermore, source suggests a potential link between reduced scrub-downs and fewer allergic reactions and illnesses, possibly due to the preservation of beneficial probiotics on the skin. Overall, user feedback suggests that "poolessness," though requiring an adjustment period, can lead to healthier hair and skin, aligning with permaculture principles of minimizing chemical use and embracing natural processes.
The lorena cooktop is a highly effective design for rocket stoves, as it maximizes heat transfer and cooking efficiency. This specialized cooktop, featuring a metal plate with a central hole positioned above the burn chamber, enables rapid heating of large pots through direct exposure to the intense flames. The lorena's design prioritizes efficient heat utilization from the rocket stove, resulting in faster cooking times and reduced fuel consumption. Additionally, the metal plate surrounding the central hole serves as a secondary cooking surface, offering versatility for various culinary tasks. Once a large pot reaches the desired temperature, it can be moved to the surrounding cooktop, and the central hole can be covered with a piece of metal to maintain heat. This dual functionality makes the lorena a practical and energy-efficient cooking solution, suitable for both large-scale and smaller cooking needs. The integration of a lorena into an outdoor kitchen setting is often proposed, further enhancing its practicality and convenience.
The willow feeder system, a "freaky-cheap" and sustainable approach to human waste management, was developed by permaculture expert Paul Wheaton as an alternative to conventional septic systems and sewage treatment plants. The system emphasizes a closed-loop cycle, transforming human waste, or "poop", into valuable fertilizer, termed "willow candy". Unlike composting toilets, willow feeders utilize a dry environment created within sealed garbage cans to mummify the waste, preventing composting and the potential spread of pathogens. A small amount of sawdust is added to each can, primarily for aesthetic purposes. This dry process also preserves valuable carbon and nitrogen, which are often lost to the atmosphere during hot composting. After two years of aging, the pathogen-free "willow candy" can be safely applied as fertilizer to "poop beasts" — trees like willow, cottonwood, poplar, and bamboo — which can handle the high nutrient content without being harmed. This system turns human waste into a valuable resource, promoting sustainable gardening practices.
A berm shed is an innovative, earth-sheltered structure designed for storage, blending seamlessly into the landscape while offering practical benefits. This natural building technique utilizes readily available materials like logs and earth, minimizing environmental impact and cost. The berm shed's design, as described in the sources, features a sloping roof covered with soil, creating a natural berm that provides insulation and helps regulate temperature. The round wood timber framing techniques used in its construction, relying on logs rather than dimensional lumber, further enhance its sustainability and aesthetic appeal. The berm shed is often incorporated into permaculture designs, serving as a visual and sound barrier, enhancing privacy, and creating a microclimate for plant growth. Its construction involves earthworks, carefully shaping the surrounding landscape to create the berm and ensure proper drainage. The berm shed's unique design, combining natural materials and earth-sheltering principles, offers a durable, cost-effective, and aesthetically pleasing storage solution that integrates harmoniously with the surrounding environment.