December 30, 2009
Online Purchases It’s easy to end up with unexpected garbage when making online purchases.  One way that I avoid this is to buy from local stores, where I can inspect the packaging before buying.  If I have to order online, I email or call the company before placing an order, and ask specifically about the packaging.  Most of the time, companies are willing to package an item in recyclable material upon request.

Online Purchases

It’s easy to end up with unexpected garbage when making online purchases.  One way that I avoid this is to buy from local stores, where I can inspect the packaging before buying.  If I have to order online, I email or call the company before placing an order, and ask specifically about the packaging.  Most of the time, companies are willing to package an item in recyclable material upon request.


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November 30, 2009
Thanks to Ecelso Zanato from Brazil, for sending me this picture of another great way to reuse plastic bottles.

Thanks to Ecelso Zanato from Brazil, for sending me this picture of another great way to reuse plastic bottles.

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October 30, 2009
Here is an article that lists 75 more items that you might not have realized you can toss into your compost pile.  One that surprised me is Cellophane, a clear packaging that is still sometimes used for food.

Here is an article that lists 75 more items that you might not have realized you can toss into your compost pile.  One that surprised me is Cellophane, a clear packaging that is still sometimes used for food.

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September 7, 2009
I recently visited my friends Kate and Matt.  They have reduced much of their garbage by recycling and by putting a compost pile in their back yard.  They compost food scraps, paper towels, napkins, bunny bedding, cat litter and more (note: they do not use this compost on a veggie garden).    Another tip that they shared is that they have stopped using garbage bags.  Since they compost all organic materials, their garbage is not messy or stinky.  They just pile their garbage into the can without the plastic liner.  When it’s time to take the garbage to the dump, they load the garbage can into Matt’s truck.

I recently visited my friends Kate and Matt.  They have reduced much of their garbage by recycling and by putting a compost pile in their back yard.  They compost food scraps, paper towels, napkins, bunny bedding, cat litter and more (note: they do not use this compost on a veggie garden).   

Another tip that they shared is that they have stopped using garbage bags.  Since they compost all organic materials, their garbage is not messy or stinky.  They just pile their garbage into the can without the plastic liner.  When it’s time to take the garbage to the dump, they load the garbage can into Matt’s truck.

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July 19, 2009
Here’s how easy it is to make compost from your food scraps: 1) assemble food scraps 2) walk into your yard 3) put food scraps in a pile 4) wait We have a very lazy compost pile.  I nailed together four old sections of picket fence, and we just make a big pile of our food scraps.  No turning, no special ingredients, no worrying about water or heat.  Compost just happens, given enough time.   If you don’t have a yard, you can buy or make a container.  You can even compost indoors. For more information, read this article called Compost Made Easy.  And go to this website full of tips, ideas and products. Finally, if the thought of rich, earthy compost fills your heart with joy, then run outside and spread some on your garden while reciting this Ode to Compost.

Here’s how easy it is to make compost from your food scraps:

1) assemble food scraps

2) walk into your yard

3) put food scraps in a pile

4) wait

We have a very lazy compost pile.  I nailed together four old sections of picket fence, and we just make a big pile of our food scraps.  No turning, no special ingredients, no worrying about water or heat.  Compost just happens, given enough time.  

If you don’t have a yard, you can buy or make a container.  You can even compost indoors.

For more information, read this article called Compost Made Easy.  And go to this website full of tips, ideas and products.

Finally, if the thought of rich, earthy compost fills your heart with joy, then run outside and spread some on your garden while reciting this Ode to Compost.

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