tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.comments2024-02-23T02:17:36.344-08:00Good Economic/Ecological Practices for ConsumersTim Oeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11950416117686776062noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-58686626460951170782022-02-23T21:59:23.776-08:002022-02-23T21:59:23.776-08:00Tim, I got the attachment for putting dog poo in v...Tim, I got the attachment for putting dog poo in via the sewer cleanout for Christmas in 2021 and it has been fantastic! Thank you so much for this blog post that let me know about it. <br /><br />I still pick up the poo with a plastic-ish bag, but I am able to use the same bag multiple times (I store the used bag outside). Another benefit I hadn't thought of is that now our garbage can doesn't stink! Therefore, we don't have to put it out every week, since there usually isn't much in it.jennrod12https://www.blogger.com/profile/04146095309957704353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-49098666546228317772018-12-05T13:15:41.840-08:002018-12-05T13:15:41.840-08:00Tim, Thanks for documenting so clearly, and for le...Tim, Thanks for documenting so clearly, and for letting us visit your home to see it in real life. We have made the leap and now have the poop claw and poop toilet installed. It works great. I am now bag-free, which was my goal. On top of that, no more smelly garbage in our garbage can. Thanks for your leadership.guavahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04200417831812847520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-18836201072685392312018-09-25T08:01:36.575-07:002018-09-25T08:01:36.575-07:00Also I totally agree that all states should change...Also I totally agree that all states should change their health code to allow consumers to bring their own container. More people need to realize that unless we eliminate trash, we all will end up eating it in our food supply. Plastic, while an amazing material, is extremely difficult to recycle and most is made from fossil fuels. I'm bicycling across the US in 2019 from aquarium to aquarium to talk with people and communities about the serious threats our children face from plastic pollution as well as global warming. For more please see <a href="https://www.ZeroW.org" rel="nofollow">ZeroW.org</a>. Thanks!Tim Oeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11950416117686776062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-60171279293364664702018-09-25T00:17:56.786-07:002018-09-25T00:17:56.786-07:00That is too bad that Michigan went the other way o...That is too bad that Michigan went the other way on bag bans. So many communities had bag bans that California decided to make it statewide. Bag bans have resulted in huge reductions in plastic pollution flying & flowing around. I hope Michigan will update its health code as well as implement a statewide bag ban.Tim Oeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11950416117686776062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-60398839956980042442018-09-23T17:09:02.746-07:002018-09-23T17:09:02.746-07:00I live in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I've read up a ...I live in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I've read up a bit more on this topic and found out that, as you mention, California's Health Code specially allows consumers to bring their own container. It would be great if all states could change their health code to allow this. I think there would be support for this in Ann Arbor, but it could be difficult at the state level. Several years ago our county passed an ordinance imposing a 10 cent fee on paper and plastic bags dispensed in grocery stores. Right before it was supposed to go into effect the state legislature passed a new law in Michigan that prohibits local governments from banning, regulating or imposing fees on the use of plastic bags and other containers. :(Tedihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09563227243981053354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-25098922277252959762018-09-23T16:20:32.485-07:002018-09-23T16:20:32.485-07:00Tedi -- In what town/state do you live?
All -- T...Tedi -- In what town/state do you live? <br /><br />All -- Tedi's comment about Whole Foods not allowing customer containers is usually state specific. I live in California and the California Health Code specifically allows a consumer to bring their own container. See my later blog post at https://ecopractice.blogspot.com/2016/02/byoc-bringing-your-own-container.html for more about this.Tim Oeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11950416117686776062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-85503036603255723502018-05-27T11:30:35.627-07:002018-05-27T11:30:35.627-07:00For the record we do use mason jars quite a bit to...For the record we do use mason jars quite a bit to store food in our house. I tend not to shop with them very often (except to get my honey jar refilled) because glass jars break much more easily and are much heavier than my reusable plastic containers when I bike to the local grocery store.Tim Oeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11950416117686776062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-71271818403659846352018-05-02T19:10:53.134-07:002018-05-02T19:10:53.134-07:00Interesting that you haven't had any trouble a...Interesting that you haven't had any trouble at Whole Foods. Our local Whole Foods have signs in the bulk section that specifically says you cannot bring your own containers due to health code regulations. I asked them why other stores like our co-op and some other local grocers will let you bring your own containers to fill, but they didn't have an answer.Tedihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09563227243981053354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-85116368725703862522017-06-16T11:53:12.509-07:002017-06-16T11:53:12.509-07:00Thank you for this informative article. Your resea...Thank you for this informative article. Your research and reporting has just moved my family one step closer to becoming a zero-waste household. -ZedoryAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02194677459572061101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-1205493660626687572016-06-10T11:47:57.901-07:002016-06-10T11:47:57.901-07:00While my city of Sunnyvale does not yet have food ...While my city of Sunnyvale does not yet have food scrap compost pick up, some neighboring cities do have this. Plus some businesses (like restaurants and large employers) are required to have this. So I've scouted out some locations where I can easily and surreptitiously drop off a small compostable bag of food scraps into commercial green bins once a week or so while doing other errands. It's urban gorilla composting.Tim Oeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11950416117686776062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-29844411566348541752016-05-12T22:35:27.806-07:002016-05-12T22:35:27.806-07:00Tim - you mention taking compost to "a larger...Tim - you mention taking compost to "a larger commercial composting facility". Where is that? How does this work? - LeenaMankikarshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00339119577026003840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-28982696116583839902016-02-14T16:35:15.018-08:002016-02-14T16:35:15.018-08:00Thanks Elizabeth! We take our reusable containers ...Thanks Elizabeth! We take our reusable containers to restaurants as well (and keep a supply in our car so we can do a quick trip out to fetch if needed).Tim Oeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11950416117686776062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-27193885606705708812016-02-08T08:46:19.026-08:002016-02-08T08:46:19.026-08:00Hi Tim,
I've used bags from OSH for produce a...Hi Tim,<br /><br />I've used bags from OSH for produce at the market. They sold as laundry bags to protect lingerie, but they work great for produce. They are about 12x12 mesh and have a zipper. Mine have lasted over 10 years with only one having an unmendable zipper problem. They weigh a little and I pay for that when they weigh my produce, but it can't be much, maybe another 2 ounces?<br /><br />I've also used tupperwares for take-home food at restaurants. I do get some odd looks, but no one has actually screamed or fainted!<br /><br />Keep it up, you inspire the rest of us :)<br />Liz<br />Liz Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05126911048785568810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-39921314413696850952016-02-04T11:28:30.419-08:002016-02-04T11:28:30.419-08:00Hi Tim,
A few other ideas... OSH and Target sell ...Hi Tim,<br /><br />A few other ideas... OSH and Target sell special bags for women to wash their lingerie in. They are mesh with a zipper. I use them for all the goods I buy at the Sunnyvale Farmer's Market. They are sturdy and of the dozen I purchased over a decade ago, only one got a zipper problem that I could not mend. I assume they weigh more than plastic and I am being charged for their weight, but I really don't care; it can't be that much. Sometimes I wait to put the produce back in the bag after buy it, but while that is practical for cabbage, it is not for 30 persimmons or 40 tomatos.<br /><br />When we eat out, I bring tupperwares to bring home leftovers. I get odd looks, but no one actually screams or faints :)<br /><br />We reuse the big rubberbands that come with asparagus at the farmer's market. I have kids, so they use them for all manner of things if I don't use them all up.<br /><br />It's fun to watch your progress... keep posting!<br /><br />Liz StewardLiz Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05126911048785568810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-67242625010894086032016-02-01T09:42:43.208-08:002016-02-01T09:42:43.208-08:00Another glass container to include in your kit is ...Another glass container to include in your kit is old-fashioned mason jars. The pint-sized wide-mouth jars are really great for freezing soups or home-made stock They are can-shaped (straight-sided) so food slips out easily.<br /><br />I do purchase the plastic lids ("Ball Wide-Mouth Plastic Storage Caps")because they work much better for storage & freezing than the two-part canning lid.Sandihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07286259612411252258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-68978923536262762282016-02-01T08:40:28.893-08:002016-02-01T08:40:28.893-08:00Yes multiple readers is good reuse. Also that is a...Yes multiple readers is good reuse. Also that is a good point about doing puzzles online -- hopefully someone will fix that. You could print out just the puzzle onto paper but that is an extra step. As far as sharing, tablets can be shared too :-) At any rate, my wife rarely reads the paper so we don't conflict there. The SJ Mercury E-Edition newspaper app is super easy to use. And sending others clips of single articles or multiple pages as PDFs is easy as well. I've even archived entire issues at times to remember a particular event. It was tough for me to switch but now that I've done it, it is working very well.Tim Oeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11950416117686776062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-15147593336759626422016-02-01T08:34:21.282-08:002016-02-01T08:34:21.282-08:00I have not run into any reluctance at Zanotto'...I have not run into any reluctance at Zanotto's or Whole Foods to using my own clean reusable containers for picking up meat and fish. Sometimes the clerks have a bit of awkwardness weighing them properly as they have to account for the tare weight of the container, but so far so good. I have not yet tried using these at Safeway yet. Beth Terry in her book "Plastic-Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too" noted some reluctance as she was an early pioneer of doing this, but she said if you go in with the attitude that you are just going to do it, shopkeepers just roll with it. Currently I know of no laws preventing reusables in these cases.<br /><br />Interestingly, while I use local farmer's markets for fruits, vegetables and eggs (because bringing your own containers there works very well), I'm not going to get meat or fish at farmers markets anymore because those vendors generally prepackage those foods in plastic bags. Tim Oeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11950416117686776062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-15765572321888237562016-02-01T07:56:41.020-08:002016-02-01T07:56:41.020-08:00I love the idea of taking plastic containers to th...I love the idea of taking plastic containers to the market! Have you run into any reluctance on the part of the stores viz. liability issues?Howard Baldwin - Columnisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16235572453508416261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-22304916706269918632016-02-01T07:55:20.769-08:002016-02-01T07:55:20.769-08:00Switching the paper version for an online newspape...Switching the paper version for an online newspaper version works great for some people, but not everyone. I would do it except for three problems: I can't do the puzzles online; I would have to get a second expensive tablet for my wife; and my wife is a techno-phobe. Paper (both with books and newspapers) can be shared -- that's a kind of reuse too. Howard Baldwin - Columnisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16235572453508416261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-24914999984889519652015-04-08T00:35:02.293-07:002015-04-08T00:35:02.293-07:00I am extremely surprised by the data of this weblo...I am extremely surprised by the data of this weblog and i am happy i experienced a search over the site. thank you so considerably for sharing this sort of great information. <a href="http://isuperbox.skyrock.com/3226839663-Contact-iSuperBox-Reusable-Moving-Boxes-Rent-Plastic-Moving-Boxes.html" rel="nofollow">moving box rental</a><br /><a href="http://isuperbox.skyrock.com/3226839627-Vancouver-Packing-and-Moving-Supplies-Moving-Supplies-Vancouver.html" rel="nofollow">vancouver packing and moving supplies</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11647413399937473711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-88355678458931882172015-01-05T21:32:58.477-08:002015-01-05T21:32:58.477-08:00Digital picture frames are an excellent way to see...Digital picture frames are an excellent way to see all of your digital ... <a href="http://digitalframewifi.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">digitalframewifi.blogspot.com</a><br />Reinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01179512640494800057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-59069653604106618462013-10-30T02:50:37.713-07:002013-10-30T02:50:37.713-07:00I honestly find cleaning the bathroom sink and sho...I honestly find cleaning the bathroom sink and shower drain two of the most tedious things to do but i have no choice but to do it. It is important that we clean them otherwise dirt will accumulate and it will be harder and more time-consuming to do it. Thanks for these great tips. This is going to be useful. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.terracqua.net/" rel="nofollow">Terracqua.net</a> <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03114877631899590368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-22059510498112792302013-03-03T14:57:17.457-08:002013-03-03T14:57:17.457-08:00Regarding dog poop in septic systems, that is a go...Regarding dog poop in septic systems, that is a good question. Let's think it thru, septic systems are designed to handle human poop (omnivore). Dog poop is pretty close although not identical (being more of a carnivore although modern dog foods are often more omnivore like). While septic systems are not as efficient as sewage plants at handling poop, they are still better at it then leaving poop on your lawn.<br /><br />Regarding "that much poop", do you have lots of dogs? More than humans? Humans generate quite a bit of poop, generally more than most dogs except the largest ones.<br /><br />Note that herbivore poop (rabbits, chickens, cows, goats, etc) are definitely best used directly as fertilizer but not so for human and meat eating pet poop.<br /><br />One other thought. If you have a septic system, then you are probably in a rural area. If you are in a rural area, it is ok to leave pet poop lie where it is in fields and woods if it is spread far and few between. That's how wild carnivores handle it too. But if you have lots of dogs or the poop ends up being to close together, it becomes a biological safety hazard.<br /><br />Hope that helps. Tim Oeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11950416117686776062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-10000768974140562342013-03-03T14:41:52.589-08:002013-03-03T14:41:52.589-08:00What if you have a septic tank and will it handle ...What if you have a septic tank and will it handle yhat much poop?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715358100843711353.post-51988242778542543632012-10-04T19:11:31.724-07:002012-10-04T19:11:31.724-07:00I highly recommend SplashId , because i have used ...I highly recommend SplashId , because i have used it myself. Browser integration is fabulous. Also it is very easy to use. As soon as you create your account, you can actually set a pattern for splashid login, therefore you technically have to remember zero passwords. Extremely secure for USB usages as well. highly recommended.deveshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16664984503707283984noreply@blogger.com