| How to Reduce Plastic Waste Posted: 04 Aug 2019 05:00 PM PDT Every year, people create about 300 million tonnes of plastic waste.[1] That waste ends up in nature and even in the water people and animals drink. It's an urgent issue, and you can help by using less plastic. The most common way to do this is by taking advantage of reusable items like fabric bags and metal water bottles. When you go shopping, buy lasting and repurposed items from responsible companies. Also, get involved by setting a good example through recycling and teaching others about the plastic waste problem. When everyone works together, plastic waste can become less of a threat to the environment. [Edit]Carrying Reusable Items - Take reusable bags with you when you need to shop. Grocery stores have long been a prime source of single-use bags, but plastic bags are everywhere. The best way to avoid them is to carry fabric wherever you go. Many stores sell reusable bags, but you can save money by making your own out of fabric.
- Even if you buy a reusable plastic bag, it is much better than relying on disposable ones. These big bags are stronger and work well on any shopping trip.
- If you drive to the store, keep bags in your car so you don't have to rely on the ones stores will give you.
- Bring your own cup or mug when buying coffee. Disposable coffee cups are a massive source of plastic waste, but the problem is easy to avoid. Many coffee places sell reusable cups and even give discounts to customers who bring in their own cups. If you often drink coffee on your commute, try getting a metal tumbler. Another option is to stay at the coffee shop and ask the barista to pour your brew into one of their mugs instead of a paper cup.[2]
- If you frequent a particular coffee shop, ask them about bringing in a reusable cup. They will help you figure out what you need to do as well as tell you about any incentives for
- Purchase your own straw if you're used to using plastic ones. You don't need a plastic straw to enjoy a cold drink. If you find yourself often reaching for a straw, pack your own whenever you go out. Then, wash the straw out with soap and water when you get home. These straws are safe to use and more resistant to bending than flimsy plastic ones.[3]
- Metal straws are durable but tend to get as hot or cold as the drink you're sipping. Glass straws are temperature-resistant but more fragile.
- You could also get a silicone or bamboo straw. Silicone is temperature-resistant like glass. Bamboo is the eco-friendly option since it's a biodegradable plant.
- Even if you decide you don't need a straw, there is a way to avoid plastic. Sip your drink straight from the cup!
- Carry a refillable water bottle when you're on the go. Instead of buying bottled water, purchase something more sustainable. Try a steel bottle for a damage-resistant option during activities like sports. Glass is more fragile but also good at keeping hot water warm. You could even get a reusable plastic bottle, which is still a better option than buying multiple single-use bottles.[4]
- If you're worried about the quality of drinking water available, purchase your own filter. Some reusable water bottles come with built-in filters.
- Bring your own cutlery to avoid relying on plastic ones. Anticipate plastic forks, knives, and spoons at fast food restaurants and other small establishments. Next time you go in, pack your own at home and say no thanks to plastic. You could roll up metal cutlery in a bag, then take it home and wash it when you're done eating.[5]
- Metal cutlery is fine, but carrying it around can be a bit of a hassle. If you're looking for something lightweight, try getting a set of bamboo cutlery. Bamboo is also organic and biodegradable in case you need to throw it out.
- Keep a set of utensils where you need them, such as at the office. If you're ordering out, wait until you get the food home so you can take advantage of your own cutlery.
- Take your own container to pack food and leftovers. Restaurants put leftovers in little plastic boxes that inevitably go in the trash once you get home. Retailers now sell reusable versions of those containers, but you could also take advantage of any resealable food storage container you have. Use these containers whenever you need to carry around a meal. To cut out even more plastic waste, carry a container with you whenever you go to a restaurant.[6]
- If you do get a plastic leftover container from a restaurant, put it to good use instead of throwing it away. These containers generally can be washed out and reused a few times.
[Edit]Shopping Responsibly - Purchase quality products instead of disposable ones. Stores carry numerous disposable products that are great for convenience but bad for the environment. Plastic tents, sponges, wipes, and bottles are a few examples of items to stay away from. Instead of using a disposable razor, get a straight razor or at least one with a replaceable head. If you have a child, swap out disposable diapers for cloth ones.[7]
- Making these changes often saves you money as well as cuts down on waste. For instance, you don't need to buy plastic sandwich bags or containers when you're reusing jars.
- Factor in the plastic packaging a lot of disposable items come in. Even if you buy wipes that aren't made of plastic, they come in a plastic container. Use old rags or sponges instead for cleaning.
- Choose natural cleansers instead of ones with microbeads. Microbeads are tiny balls of plastic found in a lot of beauty products, including toothpaste, body washes, facial scrubs, and makeup. Because of their small size, they don't get filtered out at water treatment plants. Many animals also see microbeads as food and eat them. Look for plain products with exfoliants like salt or oatmeal to avoid ones with microbeads.[8]
- Check the packaging before buying a product. Microbeads will be listed as an ingredient there. If you see colored specks in a product, you are probably looking at microbeads.
- Buy products in bulk to reduce the amount of plastic used. Small packs of nuts or yogurt, for instance, are convenient but not efficient. To reduce plastic waste, you're better off buying a big container of what you need. Companies generally fit more of a product in bigger packages while using less plastic. One big package is better than several smaller ones.[9]
- One way to take advantage of bulk food purchases is through canning. Store food inside a sterile container filled with syrup or brine. Canning is a way to preserve food for storage.
- Watch out for opportunities to use your own containers. For example, some grocery stores with bulk aisles or binned spices let you do this. Contact the store for their policies on bringing containers from home.
- Purchase items secondhand to reduce manufacturing waste. Check out local garage sales, secondhand stores, and online postings for deals. New items take resources to make and often come with a lot of additional plastic in the packaging. Toys and electronics are some of the worst offenders, but you can often get them used. Reuse plastic toys in particular so they don't end up sitting in a landfill.[10]
- The opposite applies if you have things to get rid of. Instead of throwing away toys, for instance, donate them.
- Sometimes you have no choice but to buy something new. Make sure you dispose of the plastic properly, including the wrapping, casing, and twist ties.
- Shop with companies that make an effort to reduce plastic waste. There are many companies that make products out of recycled plastic. Many more now are making an effort to cut back on waste like straws and cups. Check out how a product is manufactured before buying it. If you can, stay away from companies that aren't socially responsible and don't do a good job of cutting back on pollution.[11]
- Research companies and products online. Read about the company's manufacturing process and mission statement before making a purchase.
- Look online for environmentally-conscious groups. Let other people concerned about plastic waste direct you to responsible companies.
[Edit]Advocating and Volunteering - Refuse plastic items when they are offered to you. Say no to plastic items you don't need to use. It may not seem like a big deal, but that means one less piece of plastic wasted. You're probably going to end up forgetting about it anyway if you're not planning on using it. Say "No straw, please" when ordering a drink, for instance.[12]
- Many places still offer items like utensils and plastic bags automatically. Be sure to speak up when you have the chance. Also, plan ahead to bring alternatives like reusable bags.
- Pick up any plastic trash you find lying around. Unfortunately, many people drop their plastic outdoors where it ends up harming the environment. It needs to be disposed of in a landfill. Keep a trash bag or an extra plastic bag with you at all times. When you see something, whether it's a plastic wrapper or a soda bottle, store it in the bag until you are able to throw it in the trash.[13]
- Search for volunteer organizations in your area that arrange clean-up days. If you don't mind spending the day picking up plastic, work with other people to do some good for the environment.
- A great place to look for discarded plastic is when you're out in nature, such as in a park or at the beach. However, you can help by picking up plastic no matter where you find it.
- Don't forget to take care of your own plastic waste! If you're prone to losing waste before getting it to a trash can, keep a storage bag available, such as in your car.
- Throw away plastic in trash cans. If you collect big bags brimming with plastic, take them to a landfill. Call local waste management services or departments to find the nearest one.
- Recycle any type of plastic that can be reused. Many garbage disposal services also offer plastic recycling. To use one, rinse out the plastic you want to get rid of, then put it in a garbage bag inside a recycling bin. Also, look for special recycling bins out in public. These are typically designed for bottles and other common plastic objects people carry.[14]
- Ask the waste facility or your local waste management office what kind of plastic they accept. Not all plastic is recyclable.
- For example, polyvinyl chloride and polypropylene often aren't accepted for recycling. That includes plastic packaging, food wrappers, furniture, and toys.
- Instruct other people about reducing and recycling waste. Become an expert on dealing with plastic. Share the information with your friends and post about it online, such as through social media. Try to educate as many people as possible so they also contribute to the cause. Plastic waste is a worldwide problem, so do your best to raise awareness.[15]
- If you get one more person involved, that is one less source of plastic waste. They can also tell people they know to help spread the word.
- Teach people how to recycle, for instance, or share the problems caused by plastic waste. Let people know you're serious about protecting the environment.
- Contact companies and officials about reducing plastic waste. If you have a mind for activism, ask companies about the amount of plastic waste they leave behind. Also, get in touch with local leaders about making changes. Ask them to institute measures like banning straws or bags. These changes have already begun happening in many areas because of the dedication of activists.[16]
- Find other people to help out, such as people you know online or in your community. Change is more likely to happen when more people speak up.
- Find causes to champion, such as by raising awareness of a polluted local river. Some causes have a direct impact on your community, so people are more likely to take them seriously.
- Part of helping the environment is using less energy as a whole, not just plastic. For example, save water to reduce waste and pollution.
- Become a responsible consumer by staying informed about what you buy. Companies that say they are eco-friendly may produce a lot of waste, even if they're selling reusable products.
- Reusing items is always better than buying new when it comes to waste. The manufacturing process takes energy and produces its own waste, even though you don't see it happening firsthand.
[Edit]Warnings - Not all plastic is recyclable, so don't be surprised at how little waste recycling facilities accept. The only reliable way to avoid plastic waste is to use less plastic.
[Edit]References |
| How to Do a Home Soil Test Posted: 04 Aug 2019 09:00 AM PDT All plants are affected by the chemical composition of the soil they grow in. If you plant your trees, shrubs, and flowering plants in the wrong type of soil, they may not be able to absorb the precious nutrients they need to grow, even if those nutrients are present. The best way to find out exactly what's in your soil is to send off a sample for a detailed laboratory analysis. If you prefer the DIY approach, though, you can also use a commercial testing kit, or even perform your own simple pH test using common household items like vinegar, baking soda, and red cabbage. [Edit]Using a Commercial Soil Testing Kit - Collect a soil sample from different parts of your yard or garden. Dig 5 separate holes, each roughly deep, within the same concentrated area. Take 1-2 scoops of loose soil from one of the sides of each hole and place them inside a large, open container.[1]
- Make sure you use a clean stainless steel trowel or similar implement to dig for your sample. Otherwise, you may accidentally contaminate the soil and throw off your results.[2]
- Compiling an aggregated sample from multiple areas will give you a better sense of the overall soil composition in your garden.
- If your soil smells like rotten eggs or sewage right off the bat, there's a good chance that it's overly acidic.[3]
- Combine your samples in a single large container. A plastic, paper, or stainless steel container will work best, as these materials are guaranteed not to leech any substances into the soil that may skew your reading. Stir the soil thoroughly using the same tool you used to do your digging.[4]
- For the same reason mentioned above, it's best to avoid touching the soil with your bare hands as much as possible.
- Place your soil sample on a sheet of newsprint and allow it to dry for 12 hours. Spread out the soil so that it forms a thin, even layer—this will help it dry out faster. Leave the sample in a warm, well-lit, enclosed area until most of the naturally-occurring moisture has had time to evaporate out of it.[5]
- If you don't have a newspaper handy, you can also use another type of clean, absorbent surface, such as a layer of folded paper towels.
- Resist the temptation to speed up the drying process by placing your soil sample in the oven or microwave. High heat can also impact its general makeup.
- Mix 1 cup (150 g) of soil with about of distilled water. Transfer the soil to a large measuring cup, then pour the water in on top. Again, use a clean plastic or stainless steel utensil to stir the soil into the water. Allow the soil to "steep" until it begins to settle at the bottom of the container.[6]
- Don't begin testing your soil until it's had time to separate from the water. In order to ensure accurate, easily-comprehensible results, it's important that your sample water be as clear as possible.
- Fill both chambers of the test containers included with your testing kit. Many testing kits come packaged with a small dropper tool to help you suck up just as much water as you need without making a mess. If yours didn't, you can also use a normal eyedropper. Add the fluid to the fill line located near the top of the uppermost colored square, but avoid under- or over-filling either chamber.[7]
- The testing kit you use should include for each of the 4 main chemical factors that influence plant growth: nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and pH.[8]
- While all soil testing kits essentially work the same way, there are many different products on the market, each with their own specific test equipment and instructions. Be sure to follow the directions for the testing kit you're working with to the letter.
- Add each capsule of test powder to its matching container individually. Carefully pull apart the plastic capsule corresponding to the nutrient you want to test and shake its contents into the viewing chamber of the testing container (the side with the window opposite the color chart). Repeat this process for each of the other chemical factors you plan on testing.[9]
- Take care not to spill the test powder. It may help to open the capsules in a covered area, or to wait for a windless day to test your soil.
- Don't get your test powders mixed up by mistake. If you do, the results you get may not accurately reflect the structure of your soil.
- Some soil testing kits come with vials of liquid reagents rather than test powders, which means you'll need to add your soil to the testing container while it's still dry.[10]
- Shake the container vigorously and allow it to sit for 10 minutes. Keep the container moving until the test powder has dissolved completely. This should only take a few seconds. Once there are no more visible particles floating in the solution, wait at least 10 minutes before you begin reading the results.[11]
- Set a timer to make sure you've given the test powder adequate time to mingle with your sample water.
- As the sample water sits, the reagents in the test powder will react with the chemicals in your soil, causing each container to turn a different color.
- Check the color of your sample water against the included color chart. Look through the viewing window on the open chamber of the testing container and note the hue of the water inside. Compare this color to the color boxes on the opposite chamber. In most cases, the darker the shade, the higher the chemical content.[12]
- The color keys for your testing kit may be printed on a separate card rather than on the testing containers themselves.[13]
- Some kits even have labelled boxes with terms like "Surplus," "Sufficient," "Adequate," "Deficient," and "Depleted" to tell you exactly how much of each nutrient is found in your soil.
[Edit]Testing pH with Vinegar and Baking Soda - Take a soil sample from several spots throughout your yard or garden. Dig 4-5 holes to a depth of about . Take 1 or 2 scoops of loose dirt from each hole and throw them all into a large container. Mix the soil together with the same implement you used to dig your holes.[14]
- Make sure you dig deep enough for your sample to reflect what lies beneath the surface of your soil. After all, this is where the roots of your plants will be taking in their nutrients.
- Divide your soil sample up into 2 non-reactive containers. Split the mixed soil in half and transfer each portion to a separate container made from plastic, stainless steel, ceramic, glass, or enamel-coated metal. Do your best to distribute the soil equally between them. Ideally, there should be at least ½ cup (30 g) of soil in each container.[15]
- Use a clean plastic or stainless steel utensil to pick up the soil and move it to your pair of containers.
- In order to determine the approximate pH balance of your soil, you'll be performing 2 nearly identical tests.
- Add of vinegar to the soil in the first container. If it starts to fizz, it means that your soil is on the alkaline side. In this case, it most likely has a pH somewhere between 7 and 8, high enough to react to the acid in the vinegar.[16]
- You can use any type of vinegar to perform this test, so long as it has an acidity of at least 5%. Luckily, this includes most varieties of vinegar sold in stores, including white, wine, apple cider, and balsamic.[17]
- If you discover that your soil is alkaline, there's no need to conduct a second test—you can jump straight to adding helpful amendments like ammonium nitrate, peat, or compost to lower the pH of your soil to a more agreeable level.
- Wet the soil in the second container and add ½ cup (100 g) of baking soda. If your first sample doesn't produce a reaction, it's likely that your soil is acidic and not alkaline. Pour just enough distilled water onto your second sample to make a thick slurry, then dump in your baking soda. If it bubbles, you can reliably estimate that your soil's pH is between 5 and 6.[18]
- You can raise the pH of overly-acidic soil by enriching it with amendments like limestone or hardwood ash.[19]
- No reaction at all means that your soil has a neutral pH, which is perfect for cultivating a wide variety of plants. Consider yourself lucky!
[Edit]Performing a pH Test Using Cabbage - Fill a saucepan with about of distilled water. It's important to use distilled water, as ordinary tap water is full of chemicals, minerals, and other substances that can throw off your test results. You'll find bottles of distilled water at any supermarket.[20]
- You can also use your own water if you have a purifier at home. Just keep in mind that your final analysis may not be quite as reliable if you decide to go this route.
- Distilled water has a neutral pH, which makes it ideal for tests designed to gauge the acidity of a given substance.
- Add 1 cup (150 g) of chopped red cabbage to the saucepan. Don't worry about cutting the cabbage up too fine—you just need to reduce it to a size that will easily fit inside your saucepan. Once you've cut your cabbage, drop it into the water and allow it to start soaking.[21]
- Only red cabbage will do for this experiment. It's the only kind that contains anthocyanin, a type of natural pigment that will serve as a reagent when exposed to the chemicals in your soil.[22]
- Boil the cabbage in the distilled water for 10 minutes. Place the saucepan on your stove and turn on the cooktop to medium-high heat. Be sure to set a timer so you'll know when the cabbage is ready to come off of the heat. You should notice the water taking on a deep violet color within a couple of minutes.[23]
- Simmering the cabbage will turn the water into an all-natural, color-changing test solution without altering its pH.
- The longer you simmer the cabbage, the more of its pigment will bleed into the water. You don't want it to get too dark, however, or it may make the final color of the water hard to differentiate.
- Strain the liquid from the cabbage into a spacious container. Place a colander or wire strainer over the opening of the container and pour the contents of the saucepan out into it to separate the cabbage leaves from the now purple water. Allow the water to cool for another 10 minutes or so, or until it's just slightly warm to the touch.[24]
- Grab a potholder or kitchen towel when you go to transfer the water to your testing container. Both it and the saucepan will be extremely hot.
- Place a soil sample in the cabbage water and watch for it to change colors. Sprinkle 2-3 spoonfuls of soil from your yard or garden into your homemade test solution, then wait a few moments for it to take effect. If the water turns pink, it means that your soil is acidic (most likely somewhere in the range of 5-6). If it turns green or a turquoise color, it's alkaline (7-8). How nifty is that?[25]
- Don't forget to throw out the soiled water when you're done. It could have a slight staining effect, so be careful not to get any on your hands.
- Once you know the approximate pH of your soil, you can take the necessary steps to raise or lower it and create a more hospitable growing environment for your favorite plants.
- The best time to test the soil in your garden is in late fall or early spring. Early testing gives you plenty of time to adjust your soil's various chemical levels before you begin planting.
- Lidded food storage containers and resealable plastic bags are ideal for holding soil samples.
- In many places, you can request a free home soil testing kit from your state or territory's local extension office. The same office can also run a more detailed analysis for only the cost of shipping your sample.[26]
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Using a Commercial Soil Testing Kit - Soil testing kit
- Shovel, hand trowel, rake, or similar digging tool
- Large plastic, paper, or stainless steel container
- Newspaper or paper towels
- Distilled water
- Soil sampler tool (optional)
- Eyedropper (optional)
[Edit]Testing pH with Vinegar and Baking Soda - Shovel, hand trowel, rake, or similar digging tool
- 2 small plastic or non-reactive metal containers
- Vinegar (minimum 5% acidity)
- Baking soda
- Distilled water
[Edit]Performing a pH Test Using Cabbage - Red cabbage
- Distilled water
- Saucepan
- Large container
- Colander or wire strainer
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Potholder or kitchen towel
[Edit]References |
| How to Read Expiration Dates Posted: 04 Aug 2019 01:00 AM PDT Lots of food items, beauty products, and medications are thrown away every year because of misunderstood expiration dates. Learn the difference between an open-date code, which gives you a recommendation on how long a certain item will be good for, versus a closed code, which tells you when an item was actually manufactured. By learning to read these different codes, you'll better understand how long your food will stay fresh, how long the medicine in your cabinet will be potent, and how long your beauty products will be most effective. This will help you be a better consumer, and it'll ultimately save you money since things won't be going to waste! [Edit]Reading "Open Date" Codes - Look for a date accompanied with "use by," "sell by," or "best by." Check the bottom of the product, the sides of the container, the lid, and the necks of bottles. The numbers are stamped on and can sometimes be hard to read or find depending on where they were placed.[1]
- Many beauty products don't come with expiration dates, but some do. Keep in mind that most products have a 30-month shelf life. After they have been opened, it's recommended to use them within 1 year, though if they don't smell bad or change consistency, you can use your best judgment as to whether or not you want to keep using them.
- These types of dates that come with a label are "open dates", meaning that the food or manufacturing company chose that date and it's meant for the consumer or for the stockers at the store. There are also "closed codes," but those are meant for manufacturers, rather than consumers.
- Use a "best by" date to determine the peak window of freshness or potency. The best-by date is meant for the consumer. However, it definitely doesn't indicate that the food item, medication, or beauty product will start going bad after the date given. Rather, it just means that the item will be at its freshest or most effective before that date.[2]
- If a food item smells bad or if you can see mold or discoloration, throw it out. If it smells good, looks good, and has been properly stored, it should still be safe to eat.
- If a beauty product smells strange or has changed in consistency, it most likely isn't good anymore. For example, a lotion might become lumpy or a liquid foundation might become tacky.
- It's hard to tell if medicine is no longer potent. Most over-the-counter medications are effective for as long as 10 years past the expiration date. The best recommendation is to ask yourself if you need the medication to work at the full 100%. If so, you may want to replace it if it's past the expiration date.
- Remove products from shelves after the "sell by" date if you're a retailer. You can consume food items safely for at least 7-10 days past the sell-by date, but most retailers will be ready to move the stock off of their shelves to make way for new shipments. Medicines and beauty products generally don't have sell-by dates, unless they contain fresh ingredients.[3]
- If you're shopping and notice that a food product is past its sell-by date, you can still buy it. Just keep in mind that it'll need to be used within a week or so.
- Read a "use by" date as a tip for when an item might start to go bad. This date doesn't mean that a food item, beauty product, or medicine is no longer safe or that it is bad already. For food items, it means to be on higher alert when you open the product, as it could have started to decay or go stale. For other types of items, it means that the product may not be as effective as it was before the given date.[4]
- The use-by date has more to do with the item's quality rather than its safety. Remember, these dates are chosen by the manufacturers, not by the FDA or USDA.
- Some food products also have a "freeze by" date listed, so that consumers can know when to move their goods from the fridge to the freezer so that they don't have to throw anything out.
- Pay attention to odd smells or changed consistencies in food items and beauty products. These indicate that the item may not be good to use or consume anymore.
- You can safely assume that medicine is still effective if it was bought in the last few years, but go ahead and replace the bottle if you're concerned about it not working at its full potency, like for pain relievers or allergy pills.
[Edit]Interpreting "Closed Coding" Dates - Read a closed code as a "made/manufactured on" date. On many beauty products and canned goods, you can locate a code that is made of either numbers and letters combined or just numbers. If the code isn't accompanied by words like "use by," "sell by," or "best by," that means it refers to the date the product was manufactured. There are a few different forms that the closed code may take:[5]
- Read letters as though they were assigned to months. If the code you're reading includes a letter, use the letters A through L to figure out if the month is January (A), February, (B), March (C), and so on. Read the numbers after the letter as the date of the month and the year in which the item was produced.[6]
- For example, if a code reads "D1519," that means April 15, 2019.
- Many products might have a closed code as well as an open-date code. If the number you're reading isn't accompanied by any words, like "use by" or "best by," it's a closed code and doesn't refer to the food's quality.
- Match an all-numerical code with a "month, day, year" sequence. If the code you're reading is comprised of 6 digits, it most likely is a month-day-year code. Read these codes as MMDDYY, where "MM" refers to the month, "DD" refers to the date, and "YY" refers to the year. This is one of the more common codes that you'll see on food items.[7]
- For example, "121518" would be read as December 15, 2018.
- Certain brands use a year-month-day sequence, where December 15, 2018, would be written as "181215".
- Interpret a 3-digit code as the date in a year that a product was made. This is called the Julian calendar code. It's commonly used on eggs, but also appears on canned goods. Each day of the 365-day year is assigned a numerical value, where "001" is read as January 1 and "365" is read as December 31.[8]
- For example, if a can of olives shows a 3-digit code of 213, that means it was manufactured on August 1.
- Infant formula is the only product regulated by the FDA with literal "use by" dates. If the date on the formula has passed, toss it out.[9]
[Edit]Warnings - Even if an item should still technically be good according to its expiration date, always use your senses to check an item. If something smells or looks bad, it's safer to discard of it rather than to use it.
[Edit]References |
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