Mrs Green’s six stories on Sunday
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Co-Op to introduce storage guidelines on their fruit and vegetables bags
‘Tis the end of another week already.
Here’s my share of some top reduce, reuse, recycle or compost stories from around the blogosphere. All of which will help us move towards a zero waste future.
Reuse glass jars
We have our own post about reusing glass jars, but I always love to hear other people’s creative and innovative ideas.
Over on ReNest, they’ve relisted a hot post called “10 Simple Uses for Spaghetti Jars”
There are over 30 comments with people all sharing their ideas, so there should be enough to inspire you!
Recycled packaging material
FP International is creating a protective packaging range made from recycled material.
FP will launch the first two products in its Green Family (ooo err, are we famous LOL!) on 1 August but already plans to expand the range. The products will be designed for a wide range of markets with a focus on mail order.
According to the company, Flo-pak Green is a 100% recycled polystyrene loosefill that degrades if it ends up as litter.
Cell-o Green is a completely recyclable aircushion made from post-consumer plastic waste that takes less energy to make than paper.
A spokesman for the company said “A lot has been said about different types of plastics, such as biodegradable and oxy-degradable. We believe using recycled content rather than new resources is the best option.”
Recycling human waste
As you know by now, we try to reduce, reuse and recycle as much as we can.
But I’ve never considered the usefulness of my poo.
However, industrial designer Virginia Gardiner, wants to turn our waste into a commodity and has built a waterless toilet (made from poo, no less) with a closed-loop management system that will recycle human waste.
Instead of flushing your offerings away into the water stream, this toilet pushes the waste into a receptacle that is lined with a carbon-rich biodegradable film.
The compressed waste can then be taken to an anaerobic digester which, in turn, will produce cooking gas from the methane.
Intrigued? Her video is surprisingly convincing and makes you realise what a terribly wasteful society we are.
Zero waste lunches
Over on Wisebread, the wonderful Myscha Theriault has written about creating an Executive Style Supply Kit for your zero waste lunches
From the bag to fabric napkins to folding plates; you’ll find it all here!
Once you’ve set up your kit, using Myscha’s suggestions, check out our “How to pack a reduced waste lunch box” for ideas of what to put in it!
Co-op helps cut food waste
The Co-op have introduced storage instructions for fruit and vegetables on its fresh produce bags; indicating the optimum conditions under which each of the products should be kept to maintain freshness.
The idea is that if stored properly, fresh food can last up to two weeks longer.
I love that they are supporting less food waste, but printing it onto plastic, ‘disposable’ bags wouldn’t be my first choice.
What I am excited about, however, is a bold move by the Co-op to switch the emphasis from BOGOF to half price on perishable items.
This should encourage consumers to buy what they need rather than buying extra to take advantage of the deal.
Read more about it with their “Peach of an idea to cut food waste” article.
One man’s trash
Is another’s treasure – Lauri’s to be precise.
Lauri has been photographing and blogging about clothing and accessories she finds in the trash or abandoned on streets and other public places.
She takes it all home and the items she likes and fits her are washed and worn. Things that don’t are donated to charity.
Her finds include clothing and accessories by Armani, Max Azria, Burberry, and Prada and her wardrobe is now about 30-35% trashions!
She has found clothing almost everywhere she’s lived, including Prague, NYC, Austin (Texas), Washington, D.C. and now Chicago.
Have a browse of her aptly named “Found clothing” to see her latest trashion finds!
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That last one is kind of mind blowing. Burberry and Prada abandoned?!
People are weird, man.
Amazing isn’t it? It really highlights how wasteful a society we are. Either that or careless….
Hi Mrs Green,
The Co-op idea to educate consumers on food handling is fine, even though plastic packaging waste results. Their planned effort dealing with food leftovers also has value.
Once people have learned the basics they can then focus on waste reduction by buying loose produce which lasts long enough in the proper place to eliminate the need for plastic packs. My fruit/veg are bought exclusively without packaging blowing out of the water the supermarket myth that this waste packaging is necessary to save food waste for the consumer.
@John Costigane: Hi John; I saw the very bags yesterday but I didn’t have time to stop and read them. I think they could be a good idea to educate consumers, as you said 🙂