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.…
Please know that not all meal delivery insulation may go in the recycling carts. If the material is not traditional, err on the side of caution by keeping it out. Check out the new app Austin Recycles that combines the websites What Do I Do With? and My Collection Schedule. If you’re in Austin, and…
Small but super helpful, can lids like those pictured here are great at helping preserve the freshness of your canned items sealed in the refrigerator. These here are from Tomlinson’s Feed. They are $1.00 each. You’ll see that there are multiple ridges on the lid, this is so it can fit several types of cans…
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…
It’s the time of year. Flowers, balloons, cards and candy. A few tips and helpful reminders are listed here. Flowers and plants can be composted. Please remove any container or plastic wrap/plastic sleeves before composting. Only the actual plant part should be composted, “If it grows, it goes!” Plastic containers (hard/rigid plastic) can be recycled…
This came up again last weekend so I wanted to remind you all that in the City of Austin, black Styrofoam and black plastics can be recycled! Black Styrofoam The Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center will accept most foams. It will not accept the 80’s/fluffy/disintegrate-y type foam shown above on the right, but it will…
I just learned about the Buy Nothing Project/group about a month ago. I’m used to seeing, reading, and writing about posting about (for or away/give or want) items on craigslist, Freecycle, Marketplace and our neighborhood social media platforms. My neighbors started mentioning our area’s Buy Nothing group as a way to re-purpose/re-home/donate items. It’s awesome.…
We’ve all seen these. Many of us have ended up with them, willing or not. There are local charities that are ecstatic to accept donations of unopened utensil/cutlery packs! You may have to do some research at first. As I am informed of organizations accepting donations I will update this post. Mobile Loaves & Fishes…
A new but recently frequent topic I’ve been asked about is if plastic berry, salad/greens and sushi boxes can be recycled in the blue single stream carts. Yes they can! You do not have to remove the stickers, just rinse, dry and throw them in the recycling cart. Reminders: Pull the berry juice pads/the white…
I love seasonal beverages! They’re my favorite treat! I love to try the holiday flavors that come out at this time of year. Unfortunately I’ve discovered that Trader Joe’s, my husband’s favorite place to treat me, is not earth friendly with their seasonal beverage selections. I dislike calling out a specific company, but there were…