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Inge Leonora-den Ouden wrote:Today I found out (again) that buying something cheap is only costing more money.
I was in the supermarket close-by (Aldi). I needed only one small thing. But I went through the whole store and saw all shiny new kitchen things they had (only this week!). For about 2 euros I had a small device (packed in a nice cardboard box) to cut vegetables in small strips or spiral. At least that was written on the box, with some photos to show the sliced vegetables.
At home I unpacked it. It looked very plasticky ... To use it I had to open it, I needed my nails to do so and it didn't go easy. When it was open I did not know where exactly I had to put the vegetable in and what to do next. There was no manual and the photo wasn't clear. Then I took the half celeriac I had in the fridge. I cut a part of it to try the little device. No matter how I tried, the small metal blades inside the plastic did not cut the celeriac. Maybe it works with cucumber ... but I want to use it for celeriac and carrot!
So this thing (about 5 cm wide and 10 cm high) will be in a closet, never to be used ... or even in the garbage. I can not bring it back to the store, because I used it :-(
![[Thumbnail for 16771670826193370374137859414031.jpg]](/t/210833/a/203539/16771670826193370374137859414031.jpg "Filename: 16771670826193370374137859414031.jpg
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Invasive plants are Earth's way of insisting we notice her medicines. Stephen Herrod Buhner
Everyone learns what works by learning what doesn't work. Stephen Herrod Buhner
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Betsy Carraway wrote:I am frustrated...in seeking to "use less" in industry, I have been receiving orders of vitamin supplements in zip-top bags instead of bottles, shipped in soft, thin boxes that often have a hole punched into them and which proudly state "made with less cardboard". And yet, I will order once (Amazon...) and receive several of these boxes, on the same day...they are not "fixing it where it's broke".
I love your ideas but I'll have to look up "wicking" as this is new to me.
I used to work in corporate America up to ten years ago and was always trying to do "green" things in my job. And the company I worked for actually took notice in those days. But now - it's just waste waste waste everywhere one looks. It's very discouraging. The people who make the effort get no rewards. That means we do not incentivize people to do the right thing. So we who are conscious of our footprint, are really bearing the brunt of everyone else's profligacy.
The solution is actually simple and I'd love to talk about it. The solution is we set up an incentive system for people who "do the right thing". We could come up with some really great ideas. People need to be recognized for what they do otherwise it turns out that good deeds and efforts become equivalent to staying in inertia. Anyone who is interested in talking about this, hit me up - that is a subject close to my heart!
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Betsy Carraway wrote:
I save any large (half to one gal.) plastic containers, large Folger's coffee "cans", etc., for the bottom layer in wicking beds, to which I am DEVOTED. (I adore wicking beds!! They take care of so many problems: your tomatoes never split! You can leave for 3 or more weeks (depending on the size of the bed and local rainfall) and things will grow like made!) I have been known to beg families for these, we don't buy a lot of these items. Except for the Folger's: we drink it, and since I am a cancer fighter, I use it for Coffee Enemas as well).
“Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs” St. Francis of Assisi
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Inge Leonora-den Ouden wrote:Today I found out (again) that buying something cheap is only costing more money.
I was in the supermarket close-by (Aldi). I needed only one small thing. But I went through the whole store and saw all shiny new kitchen things they had (only this week!). For about 2 euros I had a small device (packed in a nice cardboard box) to cut vegetables in small strips or spiral. At least that was written on the box, with some photos to show the sliced vegetables.
At home I unpacked it. It looked very plasticky ... To use it I had to open it, I needed my nails to do so and it didn't go easy. When it was open I did not know where exactly I had to put the vegetable in and what to do next. There was no manual and the photo wasn't clear. Then I took the half celeriac I had in the fridge. I cut a part of it to try the little device. No matter how I tried, the small metal blades inside the plastic did not cut the celeriac. Maybe it works with cucumber ... but I want to use it for celeriac and carrot!
So this thing (about 5 cm wide and 10 cm high) will be in a closet, never to be used ... or even in the garbage. I can not bring it back to the store, because I used it
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denise ward wrote:I think it would be great if there was an incentive program where anything taken out of the waste stream and repurposed would receive points.
Every item could receive a point and certain points for weight (for heavy items). But it's best to not put more waste into the stream.
I have this vision of being in contests where people wash dishes and compete to see who used the least water and still came up with clean dishes.
I reuse plastic bags from carrots, bread and other staples instead of using plastic wrap and make sandwich bags that use velcro to close. Haven't used a clothes dryer in years, much prefer hanging clothes on the rack and I buy everything second hand. It's probably better too that all the chemicals have been washed out of second-hand clothes. That's one good thing about being broke - it really gets those creative juices going to figure out how to repurpose everything.
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Invasive plants are Earth's way of insisting we notice her medicines. Stephen Herrod Buhner
Everyone learns what works by learning what doesn't work. Stephen Herrod Buhner
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r ranson wrote:I do like owning less and I adore a simple but well made tool. My sewing machine is simple, with only one stitch and because it is human powered, it works when the power goes out.
But a big part of permaculture and sustainability is adapting to the situation and the needs of the people.
This video says it best.
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denise ward wrote:I think it would be great if there was an incentive program where anything taken out of the waste stream and repurposed would receive points.
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Melody Cain wrote:I am employed at a small town, once landfill, now transfer station. Over the years I have fought the system and governing entities. So much wasted good items. I was finally permitted to salvage usable items to the permies. Now as a transfer station it all goes into containers to be shipped to a central landfill. We are working to make a separate department where the customers can be directed to with reusable items that are separated. Green waste is separated, mulched and being used for a community garden at a separate but attached property. Most landfills can be permitted through you local Permitting agency.(s) Help yourselves by helping landfills become more accountable. Attend the local governing meetings and push to stop reusable goods from becoming waste.
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With appropriate microbes, minerals and organic matter, there is no need for pesticides or herbicides.
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Steve Zoma wrote: But some items, like excess napkins from a fast-food restaurant may never be put into use at all, they are just included because a worker thought you needed all them.
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jackie woolston wrote:My grandmother grew up on a homestead in the Lakota Territory. The family had a small sod cabin. Water was scarce where they were. She told me that to conserve water, at the end of every meal, everyone would wipe their plates/bowls clean with a piece of bread, then turn them upside down on the table. Ready for the next meal. She lived to be a sharp 102. HMMM?
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Jeremy VanGelder wrote:One of my forestry professors told a story of how people in Europe made manufacturers reduce their packaging. Maybe those of you who are in Europe could confirm?
Land in Europe is a bit more scarce than in America. So landfills are more rare and the cost to dump garbage in a landfill is quite a bit higher. Consumers looked at the things they bought, such as medications, and decided that there was just too much packaging that they had to pay to throw away. So they started a little protest. They would buy their items, and then strip off all the extra packaging and leave it in a little pile by the door of the store. They would take the bottle of aspirin out of the box, and then leave the box, the little information leaflet and the little cotton swab at the door. And that was just for a little bottle of aspirin. The retailers didn't like paying to dump that stuff, either. But since it was now their problem, they took it to the manufacturers. And the manufacturers took it to the regulators who were requiring them to have all that extra packaging and leaflet. And eventually the situation changed, and when you buy things in Europe it comes in far less packaging than when you buy it in America.
I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do. (E.E.Hale)
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Anita Martin wrote:
Jeremy VanGelder wrote:One of my forestry professors told a story of how people in Europe made manufacturers reduce their packaging. Maybe those of you who are in Europe could confirm?
Land in Europe is a bit more scarce than in America. So landfills are more rare and the cost to dump garbage in a landfill is quite a bit higher. Consumers looked at the things they bought, such as medications, and decided that there was just too much packaging that they had to pay to throw away. So they started a little protest. They would buy their items, and then strip off all the extra packaging and leave it in a little pile by the door of the store. They would take the bottle of aspirin out of the box, and then leave the box, the little information leaflet and the little cotton swab at the door. And that was just for a little bottle of aspirin. The retailers didn't like paying to dump that stuff, either. But since it was now their problem, they took it to the manufacturers. And the manufacturers took it to the regulators who were requiring them to have all that extra packaging and leaflet. And eventually the situation changed, and when you buy things in Europe it comes in far less packaging than when you buy it in America.
Well, let me start by saying that Europe is a continent not a country and thus shows a variety of reguations and lifestyles.
To specify for Germany:
* You are legally allowed to strip your purchased goods of all packaging and dispose of it in the supermarket. The manufacturers have to take it back (I seldom do this as I try to buy low to zero waste products anyway and for cheese etc. it would be a hassle).
* Fast food producers and other caterers/restaurants have the obligation (since 2023) to offer multiple-use containers for their food.
* All beverages that are not already sold in multiple-use bottles have an added deposit charge (which you get back when returning the bottles to the machine at the supermarket)
* In Germany there are no normal landfills anymore. Everything that can't be recycled goes to thermal power unit (where it gets incinerated)
* You will not find disposable cutlery or plates in any restaurant or home, they were more frequent maybe 40 years ago. There is a EU ban on plastic cutlery or plates since 2021. You will not find plastic drinking cups or red solo cups anywhere, we only see them in US movies
* There are organizations for consumer protection that look for the most unnecessary packaging and draws public attention to the product and manufacturer
All this is good, changes are doable if consumers and legislation work together.
Is it enough? Not even close. Germany is on the top of packaging goods for sale, but people are getting more and more aware and ask for change, like using produce nets, making scandals permies, supporting zero waste shops etc.
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Best luck: satisfaction
Greatest curse, greed
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Thekla McDaniels wrote:I wonder what exactly is being burned, and resulting air quality.
$10.00 is a donation. $1,000 is an investment, $1,000,000 is a purchase.
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Thekla McDaniels wrote:I wonder what exactly is being burned, and resulting air quality.
I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do. (E.E.Hale)
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Thekla McDaniels wrote:I wonder what exactly is being burned, and resulting air quality.
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jackie woolston wrote:Please use natural materials, recycled old style furniture etc as much as possible. This is an amazing comparison, could be a matter of life or death in a house fire. WORTH WATCHING!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87hAnxuh1g8
Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.
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Some people age like fine wine. I aged like milk … sour and chunky.
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All true wealth is biological.
Lois McMaster Bujold
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![[Thumbnail for 20231122_153207.jpg]](/t/210833/a/229203/20231122_153207.jpg "Filename: 20231122_153207.jpg
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Whathever you are, be a good one.
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This is incredibly important. I think many communities would be helped if more people realized the importance of money circulating within ones "community footprint".Dian Green wrote:I also like that all these secondhand options keep what money we do spend mostly in our community as well.
Absolutely! However, I remember somewhere... one of our members used to make up "gift boxes" for young Church members of all the kitchen basics for when they first moved away from home. Kitchens can cost a lot of money to set up the first time around, and if you're finding quality knives/utensils etc, gathering sets that aesthetically go together might help you put them to good use?It does take effort to resist the hoarding tendencies however.
Visit Redhawk's soil series: https://permies.com/wiki/redhawk-soil
How permies.com works: https://permies.com/wiki/34193/permies-works-links-threads
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We don't have time for this. We've gotta save the moon! Or check this out:
montana community seeking 20 people who are gardeners or want to be gardeners
https://permies.com/t/359868/montana-community-seeking-people-gardeners
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