*03.18.21 the word “feminine” was removed from this post and as much social media as I could without affecting post dates and comments, and replaced with “menstrual,” to allow for gender neutrality. This post goes with Reusable Menstrual Products. Please check out that post if you’re ready to make longer lasting changes. If plastic inside…
A reminder that chemicals are not allowed in the City of Austin curbside compost carts. “If it grows, it goes” into compost carts. Think food-grade. If not, it belongs in the trash. If you are cleaning with paper towels and vinegar, alcohol, baking soda, etc. then those paper towels may go in the compost carts.…
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…
*03.18.21 the word “feminine” was removed from this post and as much social media as I could without affecting post dates and comments, and replaced with “menstrual,” to allow for gender neutrality. In this new year, many of you are working to “be greener.” One of the areas you may be looking into is the…
Bulk Collection will happen in my neighborhood next week. Information on what can and cannot be accepted is available at http://www.austintexas.gov/department/residential-bulk-collection. Sign up for collection reminders, including Bulk and Brush, at http://www.austintexas.gov/page/my-collection-schedule. You can add your schedule to Google, iCal or Outlook, or you can print it. You can also sign up for text (and…
Unconventional trash bags According to the sustainability site Treehugger, there are 8 Rs. They are: Reduce: Just use less. Return: Producers should take back what they sell. Reuse: Almost boring, but we throw too much stuff out too soon. Repair: Fix and mend things rather than replacing them. Refill: In Ontario Canada, 88% of beer bottles are returned to…
Maybe you’ve been reluctant to downsize your trash cart because you’re not sure you could always get all your trash bags inside. Maybe you like to have big gatherings and sometimes have more bags than normal. Maybe you’re doing a big spring clean out and just have more trash than usual. Do you know about…
I’ve received enough questions about pet waste that I feel I should address it. According to multiple sources, about 4% of residential waste is generated by our pets. Pet waste of any kind may not go in the City of Austin green compost carts. The City of Austin’s curbside compost contractor Organics by Gosh will…
Austin Resource Recovery confirmed lotion tubes CAN be recycled, in addition to lotion bottles, in the City of Austin blue recycling carts. Please try to make sure all or as much as possible of the product is squeezed out. There are metal springs in the pump, so please trash that part of the lotion bottle.…
One of the questions I had recently was about baby formula canisters, like the one pictured here. Most of these containers are made out of liquid paperboard (LPB), a combination of paper and plastic (and sometimes also metal) to keep moisture out. In the City of Austin, these are not recyclable since they’re a composite/mixed…