Coconut scrubbers are super easy to use, gentle but effective on all my pans and dishes (no scratches), and can be composted when they’re past usefulness. You don’t have to recycle a metal scrubber at a special location like a scrap metal collector or recycling center, or in a special program, and it’s not like…
All posts in Composting
Compost Animal Fur
Animal fur can go in curbside compost carts. Sunday was the spring shearing of our fluffy dog. She fills up two kitchen compost bags, each 2.5 gallons so that’s 5 gallons of “waste” diverted from the landfill. We’ve tried to leave fur out for birds and other animals but it doesn’t seem to get taken…
Citrus: Fresh, Plastic or Glass
I don’t use lemon juice a lot but the last time I needed some for a recipe I saw how many options there were. The same options for lemons will apply to limes. Let’s discuss citrus! Fresh Fresh lemons are going to require the least amount of handling/processing after juicing. The plastic sticker goes in…
Too Many Bananas
Anyone else ever order too many bananas?๐๐ We accidentally ordered bunches instead of a set amount of bananas. What we didn’t plan to eat or freeze I set out and emailed my block and friends for pickup. You can also post food like this on Buy Nothing groups. If I had more time or was…
Pumpkins After Halloween
Happy Halloween Everyone! I want to share a few ideas for how to handle your pumpkins and gourds after they’re done as decorations. Fresh Pumpkins Pumpkins in good condition (not soupy or moldy) even if theyโve been carved can be donated to the Central Texas Pig Refuge or a similar organization in your area. No…
Homemade Popsicles
These homemade popsicles are based on an idea my mom had when my brother and I were little. We’d pour a single serving of yogurt or orange juice into one of the smallest Tupperware cups, freeze, and then chip away at the filling with a grapefruit spoon. It’s a process, it’s cold, and the chipping…
Paper Bags: Recycle or Compost?
This has been a popular topic lately, especially because so many of us are doing curbside pickup right now. The best and highest use for paper bags and all paper products that have absolutely no food contamination, if they aren’t reused, should go in the recycling vs. compost. The City of Austin actually gets revenue…
If it grows, it goes, for composting
A neighbor of mine just emailed me to ask if shellfish shells can go in the City of Austin curbside compost carts. Yes! The little mantra/quote I want you to remember is “If it grows, it goes!” If the plant or animal bits or byproduct (honey, milk, cheese, eggs, etc.) are from a natural item,…
Parchment , Butcher, and Wax Papers
This post is an expansion of my update to Composting Questions and Confusions. Are parchment paper and butcher paper compostable? Great questions especially since so many more people are home baking and cooking right now. For parchment, it depends on the brand. You’ll need to read your box to determine if your parchment is compostable.…
The Down-low on To-Go
As more people resort to having meals carry-out/to-go/takeaway and delivered, please take time to consider your options for end-of-life. Are the containers recyclable or compostable? Are they reusable or returnable? Will you be able to re-home freezer bags or ice packs? Mueller area restaurants seem to be on the right page with take-out containers. I…