Big or small, every change matters when making our planet a better place. And this goes beyond the individual, too. Luckily, as the mindset of consumers shifts towards eco-friendly thinking, more and more businesses are implementing "green" innovations in the way they go about things. From cigarette butt-recycling postal pouches to simple product packaging, Bored Panda has compiled a list of pics, proving that we, the Earth, really do have a bright future.
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The Cafe At My Closest Beach Gives Free Drinks To People Who Collect A Bucket Of Litter From The Beach
Tthey would clean up the whole beach by the time the bars closed probably even tag each in and out ...I would do it for drinks or free
Load More Replies...Not every beach is where it's always warm and cosy. ;-)
Load More Replies...This is a REALLY good idea, but when you look at it in reality, it's a little sad that people have to be bribed with coffee to do good things. It feels better to do good deeds without telling everyone and/or being bribed. Ik I might get hate for this but integrity is better than free coffee
That's in my city (I live on the water) as well.. Can't find enough to fill a bucket anymore.. no free drink :(
Kids can play with them and when get bored parents can play game collecting litter and get nice cup of kape
Pen Made Of Recycled Water Bottles Casts A Shadow Of A Water Bottle
Found them on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pilot-B2P-Retractable-Recycled-Bottles/dp/B003VNEOOG/ref=asc_df_B003VNEOOG/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=234987689465&hvpos=1o5&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3372285952884916153&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9044978&hvtargid=pla-320312445273&psc=1
It's better directly not produce this bottles. They use water from places where taking off wayer damages its ecology, it uses high resources as energy, water and plastic from petrol. Algo all the footprint associated to its logistics. And plastic bottles are very hard to recycle. You can only do that separating each brande and each reference, as beaig a chemical issue each one has different composers. Even different places of the bottle are chemically or physically different. So in a "big" action you only could recycle a so little amount that even can't be written in percentage. It's much better and easier just not produce and even more don't consume bottled water neither plastic. Never. Only if one time you needed, reuse it forever.
Load More Replies...My sentiments exactly. If they also sold refills for these pens, I would be 100% for buying it!
Load More Replies...These are fantastic pens, I have been using them for about 3 years now and buy nothing else. They write smooth and last a long time! Awesome pens :)
I would much prefer to be able to buy just the actual ink-containing plastic tube with the roller writing tip that goes INSIDE the plastic casing. Years ago, these were available everywhere.
Turns Out My Pencil Is Made Of Recycled Newspaper
The problem with recycled paper pencils, which in theory are an amazing idea, is that its paper so it dulls the blade of whatever you are using to sharpen it. If it's a regular saperner then it doesn't take long so then you'll probably end up throwing the shaperner out. Which is way worse. If you use a blade you either throw the blade away for snap the tip off of a blade. Either way. It's not as good as it sounds unfortunately
Load More Replies...I remember when my dad brought those home from a science conference. Hated the smell, loved how they sharpened and trying to read the peeled paper
Load More Replies...cool! Why don't I sharpen the whole thing at once, just to get this shot!
So..why use it for a photo?... take a pic, - we will believe you.
I love those pencils! I used to have one but my sister stole it.
Instead Of Using Paint For This Parking Lot, This Is How The “Lines” Are Created. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
It's great when people pay attention to how much and what type of paint is used, be it about drawing, indicating something, or even colouring food. Many types of paint are toxic as hell. We are better off without most of them, since as demonstrated, they either have an alternative, or are optional.
Yeah, and that ain't happening under 3 feet of snow in Canada, even after it's removed!
Load More Replies...But the maintenance of parking lines that grow is less environmentally friendly...
An Easy Way To Recycle Old Mascara Wands
Please do NOT throw away your mascara wands. Instead, clean JUST THE WAND with Dawn liquid soap, place them in a ziploc bag and mail them to a Wildlife Refuge accepting donations.
These little wands are able to be upcycled to clean away oil, larvae, fly eggs, mites, infections, mud and other contaminants from wildlife. Works great for medical care and wound treatment.
Mail to: Appalachian Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 1211 Skyland NC 28776
I had no idea this was a thing!! I'm doing this from now on & I'm telling EVERYONE!
What a super fantastic idea!!! I will try to get in touch with local organizations where I live.
I love that they give the info on where to send them. I will be doing that from now on!
Is there a European equivalent to this? I so do want to contribute to this great thing
Poland Unveils Glow-In-The-Dark Bicycle Path That Is Charged By The Sun
Hm, on the one hand it's a cool idea. On the other hand I'm not sure what chemicals were used or if a glowing path wouldn't attract insects. Pollution by light is a problem too.
light pollution is caused by huge cities, not 3ft wide bike paths
Load More Replies...It's possible. Google glowing stones etc. You can easily but them and even have them fixed into concrete so you can have a driveway like that.
Load More Replies...What is the paint made out of? Back in the day, flourescent paint was mostly considered poisonous, I don't know about today. Wouldn't be that smart to have out in the open, where it will be deteriorating due to weather and the people driving over it.
The path is 100 meters long ... https://www.sustainability-times.com/clean-cities/a-sun-powered-bicycle-path-glows-in-the-dark-in-poland/
Carlsberg Using Glue To Make Six Packs Instead Of Plastic
We have these in Denmark. It's a little tiny dot of some special glue, which took them a long time and effort to develop. It holds the six cans tightly together and you have to twist it in a certain way to separate. After the glue doesn't stick to anything anymore. It saves 150 tons of plastic a year in Denmark alone. Also we have a system where you get paid for returning empty bottles and cans. A lot of homeless people make a living collecting them, and also they don't end up polluting nature.
Yup. We pay a bit extra for each bottle or can and get it back when we put it through a machine located in most super markets. https://tv2i.dk/users/editorial/images/a5956762-3b2e-468f-aa4f-b30b11fb7ed1.jpg?publicKey=cms-ro&t%5B0%5D=tv2cropping%3Awidth%3D940%2Cheight%3D529&accessToken=c9dd349a050a2703c207bcc3b0bfd41019100eb9586cd0f5260772672dd96e61
Load More Replies...This is great, I'm going to see if i can glue my tummy together, to make my own 6 pack
In the US breweries have started using recyclable paper 6-pack ringers. Some craft breweries that use plastic ones have programs where you can bring in old ringers (a newer, hard plastic design that can be recycled) and get a free pint of beer so they can reuse them. The beer industry has been looking to more environmentally friendly packaging for a while now (I work for a beer distributor in the US). Some breweries are also selling their left over "waste" (ie: grain residue) to other companies that turn that "waste" into breads, lotions and other consumable items.
Animals who live in and around the oceans of the world thank you from the bottom of their hearts! I wish the US would start doing this. I always cut up the plastic rings (making sure they’re too big to swallow) to eliminate any parts that could get stuck and embedded on a snout, beak, shell, etc, and this would do away with that worry.
There is actually a brewing company in Florida that makes six pack rings out of the leftover material from the brewing process (wheat/barley.) The rings can be tossed in the ocean because they will soften and can be food for turtles and fish....
Fitpacks are another good, and perhaps better idea. Screw the cans on top of one another
Got An Event Bracelet That Can Be Planted
Just, keep them in Cali. If they are not native species, they may overgrow your local native species.
Pretty sure there’s a way to get similar bracelets for a local event that won’t introduce non-native species into the local flora. Just have to do a little research. And kudzu was introduced long before we really understood about the damage non-native flora can do (I lived in North Carolina for 15 years, and am painfully aware of what it does, having witnessed it firsthand).
Load More Replies...I might be watching too many CSI series but if out of sudden you see cali wild sunflower, you might discover dead body underground
More places in other States should do this with their Native plants.
I Found A Hidden Message When I Ripped The Paper Off This Ramen Pot
When paper is very dirty, like sometimes of food, when wrapped things, it cannot be recicled and it must be thrown in the waste container, not in the paper one.
Where I live it’s single sort so both paper and plastic go in the same bin anyway. Also yes spoiled recyclable products and unrecyclable products ending up at recycling centers is a huge huge problem. Also plastic bags. Plastic bags are always a problem
Load More Replies...I wonder if that has to do with the crazy recycling laws in japan.
An Ice Cream Cup Made Of Banana Leaves
there are eatable wafflecups that I prefer. They taste better :P
These are a great way because even if someone discards the cup, it won't be harmful.
Great idea, if they come from a bio-eco farm. Because very aggressive pesticides are used in all the conventional farms.
My Grocery Store Started Selling Overripe Bananas For Cheap With A Recipe For Banana Bread On The Bag
I love how there's multiple recipes--can't eat the same banana bread over and over. Great idea!
Load More Replies...Ours used to, until the California crazies took over the food industry and made recycled food toxic. Now stores have to throw them out in a crusher, instead of letting hog farmers have them, or selling them discounted, or donating to food kitchens. Stupid waste of food! That's why we have slogans like "Don't Californicate my Texas!"
Great ides, cuts down on the waste. That's the only way you can make banana bread!!!
In the UK, a lot of Asda stores sell off all of the older and single bananas in big bags for 10p a Kg. I either make banana bread with them or I freeze them peeled and halved for my son to make his smoothies with. I buy most of my fruit and veg from the market. It's much cheaper, nothing is shrink wrapped, I bring my own reusable bags and paper bags for small, loose items, the stuff is usually seasonal and you can haggle with stall holders. There's also a few stallholders that know I buy bulk fruit on the turn to freeze and will keep items for me, like strawberries four punnets for a quid. Supermarkets all have yellow sticker times, where I buy all sorts to freeze for pennies. Things like joints of meat for 10p. Keeps things out of the landfill and saves me a fortune. Likewise, we visit a combined scrap store and waste not want not every couple of weeks. It's £20 to join forever, £20 a year and after that, bags of free food donated by supermarkets on every visit and as many donated brand new crafts, clothing and household items as you can fit in a large supermarket trolley for £25 a pop.
This Notebook Is Made Of Stone
LOVE your comment Miss Cris, - it was as easy to write back then, I'm sure. Lol
Load More Replies...Rock paper? I’m very confused now. Scissors cuts paper, but rock breaks scissors. If you play scissors, do you win or lose?
Because any company that is making paper from trees would have to throw out most, if not all, of their production machinery and start from scratch.
Load More Replies...This should be higher up! something new I've not seen before that actually uses waste without also using a lot of water and trees.
https://karststonepaper.com/ for ppl who wanna check it out, not sure if its the one in the post tho
Load More Replies...Ordinary paper is also biodegradable, and usually made from sustainable forests which are grown specifically for the purpose of paper production. I wonder where these rocks are being sourced 🤔 It's hardly a sustainable material, and would require mining, and a much more polluting process to convert into paper. I'd also imagine that the end result isn't recyclable with ordinary paper.
It is calcium carbonate and you are right it is mined. It isn´t recyclable with ordinary paper but unless printers/users are specifically warned they will mix waste from this paper in with ordinary paper which then goes for recyclling and which then pollutes the repulping.
Load More Replies...You Can Charge This Battery With A Micro USB
This is great for things like remote controls. Instead of throwing the batteries away, recharge them. One less thing in the land fills
There are rechargeable batteries that you do not need a USB-charger for. It seems impractical as you can only charge one battery at a time.
Load More Replies...Think about all the electronics, all the very-hard-to-recycle stuff in there. Why do we need "smart" rechargeable batteries, when we had dumb ones for ages? You only need ONE charger (that can be way better, too, as it simply has more space for smart electronics, charging controls, diagnostics and whatnot). Sorry, but this idea is just dumb and made for very lazy people that need a micro USB on everything.
It's not "smart", it's a rechargeable battery that doesn't need a dedicated recharger. Making rechargable batteries more convenient isn't for "lazy" people, it's for people who might need to charge their batteries on the go but don't want to carry a bulky charger.
Load More Replies...Us has rechargeable batteries. Usb battery sounds so cute I can't take it.
Yo,does anyone remember when Duracell had batteries that you could re charge? If I recall,you just put the batteries of whatever device you were using in a certain way and they would recharge. It was actually pretty nifty
Rechargeable batteries still exist. From this brand and lots of others.
Load More Replies...Refill Station At Simon Fraser University, Canada
Because we have to have 100 different shampoos to choose from on the shelf.
Load More Replies...I wish all shopping could be done by bringing your own containers. We would save so much money on all the packaging and it would be better for the environment obviously. Body Shop used to let you refill your containers back in the day, but then it became a problem with health and safety and possible "contamination" of reusing containers and they stopped the program. Darn shame.
If the products are fragrance free and paraben free, I would be in! That is the other 50% of the pollution problem. /sorry, rant over/.
I would use those but only if there are natural versions, not the ordinary ones
A stall on my local market does 5 litre bottles of soap, shampoo, washing up liquid, bleach, all purpose cleaner, washing liquid etc. for between £3 to £6 a bottle. We use these with refillable pump bottles or reused washing up liquid or loo cleaner bottles etc. and as well as the reduction in plastics, we save an absolute fortune. Any cosmetic tubes or bottles we do end up using, we recycle them through Origin's recycling programme. Every time you recycle a few items with them, you get a stamp on a card, recycle 8 times and you get a free product.
This Cup Is Made From Plant Starch, Not Plastic
Lets remember that many compostable cups are really not compostable. https://recycleforgreatermanchester.com/blog/the-truth-about-compostable-packaging/
When it will break down to components safe for my garden in my backyard composter, I'll accept it.
Load More Replies...except what plant starch was used to make this cup? Is it plant only (non food) or is it vegetable starch? You can run into a lot of issues with allergies doing this. I'm allergic to corn and rice, so if either one is used here, I'm going to have an allergic reaction once my lips touch the cup, and as it potentially leeches into the water.
Corn. https://www.biopac.co.uk/half-pint-im-a-green-cup-tumblers-ce-marked.html
Load More Replies...Most of those "compostable" products, are meant for industrial composters. So... not very helpful.
Good. How many vegetables it need? How many land do they need? What was before: a forest? A eatable plants growing land? How much time do these plants need to grow enough to be used? How many water has been used? How much energy? Which were the rural workers conditions? Do they have something to eat? Where were they planted? In which continent? How about the charbon footstep? Was it an enormous land - latifund?
I get that you're trying to imply that this sort of thing is a waste of resources and money, but also you're kind of a d**k about it. Until we can break the habit of using disposable cups/plates/cutlery at all, it's going to be better to have plastics that break down in 12 weeks rather than plastics that sit around for 500 years plus.
Load More Replies...To think how many millions on millions of plastic cups threw away every day , this a must in plant in all offices and buildings
Check with your city to make sure their facilities can compost these cups.
My Pencil Has Seeds On The Tip, So When It's Too Small To Use It You Can Plant It And A Tree Will Grow Out Of It
When my son was in middle school, he got in trouble for "lurking" in the bushes next to his school. When I asked what he was doing, he said he was planting his pencil next to the school so that it would grow into a tree!! LMAO
When I was a child I buried pinecones near my school. I was wery disappointed that none of the buried pinecones created new trees.
Load More Replies...It is wood, some graphite (basically carbon, and maybe some filler like clay, which is natural as well), the cap will most probably some recyclable bio-plastic from starch. So? Everything degrades, and kinda fertilises the soil for your new plant as well.
Load More Replies...This Makes Me Incredibly Happy, And More Inclined To Shop Here More Often
Brilliant. I have always hated the thought of wasting minimum 8 litres of clean drinking water every time I flush. It's such a needless waste.
This is awesome, all toilets world wide should be flushed with rain water / grey water.
Consumers can make huge difference when supporting ecofriendly businesses and pushing those which are not.
Recycled Cardboard Used As An Alternative To Bubble Wrap
Don't get me started on those awful styrofoam peanuts.
Load More Replies...I make this at work! There's a machine that works like a shredder and turns cardboard into this. We use them to pack our products before shipping them.
This is great except that it can double the cost of your shipments due to the cardboard being much heavier than air cushions and bubble wrap.
I get my teabags from Republic of Tea and when they ship your tea the filler in the box is remnants from the tea bag cuttings. You'll see where all the circular tea bags were cut out, the filler is just the trimmings. They've been doing this for many, many years.
Oh, I have recently received a package from a store that used this! :D Great idea!
just give me the remaining bubble wrap, ill put good use to it ;D (you hear a satisfying popping noise in the background and evil laughing)
Old magazines. Trade papers. All recycled paper that only clogs our local recycling depot. Shedding and using as packing. FABULOUS 👏🏽👏🏽
My University Makes Notepads Out Of The Recycled Paper And Hands Them Out To The Students
Look, when you write piles of research, you need it printed at times, especially before google docs offered annotations and the like. Same goes for informative papers from the admin offices. Professors of my uni do the same and it works great, as indeed we all try and minimize the amount of printed paper.
Load More Replies...I give my printed paper (work) that I otherwise would recycle to the Salvation Army to go to activities with children in refugee camps.
you were downvoted because your comment includes references to 'children' and 'refugees', and these are the two most despised types of people on BP. you should have said you give them to disabled transgender dogs
Load More Replies...Many do. I've worked in offices that do the same thing. Also most printing companies offer free note pads made from paper like this.
Load More Replies...I would be concerned about the material getting circulated - Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, HIPAA stuff.
Single-Use Cutlery And Straws From Avocado Seeds
Recently, Mexican company BioFase released single-use cutlery and straws that biodegrade in 240 days. The company collects avocado seeds from companies who process avocados to make guacamole or oil.
Why not just use metal ones and reuse. Single use is just wasteful however environmentally friendly
But then the restaurant would have to calculate in the impact (and cost) of washing them after each use, the expense of switching to organic dish detergent, and either retooling their plumbing to reuse the dirty water or having someone haul it away to be reused. So you see, if you think it through, metal cutlery requires more steps that would have to be altered to become green AND still satisfy Health Department requirements AND not bankrupt the business using them, so therefore can be more wasteful (and expensive) than recyclable disposables.
Load More Replies...Avocado production is horrendous for the environment. Vast amounts of deforestation happen to meet increased demand for this millenial trendy fruit, not to mention the massive amounts of water needed to grow them.
Very cool, but I'm very allergic to avocados. I hope they have these marked... I love the idea, though!
I hope so! When they show things such as pasta instead of any disposable coffee stirrer, I'm pleased but hope they have options for the people with allergies. And that's a 'typical' intolerance. Explaining my allergies is fun...
Load More Replies...The straws would be fantastic idea to use at the all inclusive resorts in Mexico. Many of the resorts banned plastic straws recently.
I don't think I've even been offered single-use cutlery since the 1990's.
The problem is single using..... On the other hand, there are important social and environmental problems related to avocados. So lose lose. :(
They are using an item that would otherwise be thrown away to create biodegradable, non-toxic items. I would probably be willing to wash them at home and reuse. Single-use anything is not ideal, but as an alternative to plastic, it's a fantastic idea, and definitely not lose-lose.
Load More Replies...They break down and decompose way faster than metal and plastic, awesome idea.
This Super Market Had Tiny Paper Bags Instead Of Plastic Containers To Reduce Waste
I would rather see something like a hemp plastic bag 100% biodegradable and environmentally better than killing trees for paper, the hemp is harvested anyways so the bags are from the leftovers
Load More Replies...Or you can use eco-bags? They are cheap, reusable, machine washable and so light you can keep several in your handbag without noticing. Absolutely no need for paper or plastic.
True, or good old fashion banana leaves for things like grapes/lettuce, And go bag-less for things like apples, bananas, tomatoes, etc. :D
Load More Replies...If there is an absolute guarantee that there are no spiders whatsoever in those bags, then I am all for it!
way better than plastic. Would be even better with hemp paper bags!
Every Day After Closing, This Local Bakery Leaves Out A Bag Of Their Unsold Pastries That People Can Take From Freely Instead Of Throwing Them Away And Make Unnecessary Waste
Some places you can't do this in because the shop/restaurant would be liable if anything bad happens. Sucks but it's true. They are forced to throw the food away.
I love that in Australia we have an organisation called OzHarvest. They collect excess quality food to donate to over 1300 charities across Australia.They rescue over 180 tonnes of food a week that would end up in the bin and landfill. They collect anything from surplus food within its use-by date, from fresh fruit and veg, fresh meat, pre-prepared sandwiches and meals, and delicious cupcakes or muffins that weren’t sold that day. They also collect dry and tinned goods. They don't accept shellfish or cooked rice for health and safety reasons though. and businesses that donate are protected from civil liability. There should be something like this in every country. There are also other organisations that do similar like the Foodbank, SecondBite and fare share just to name a few.
There are some organisations like this in France or Spain, for example. And now there are some apps that put in contact sellers and costumers, so they can sell much cheaper or even donate their products in the evening. This works mostly with bakeries, fishshops and restaurants.
Load More Replies...All of this food should be donated to homeless shelters and families that are financially compromised...
Montreal is trying to pass a law that would forbid food stores from throwing out food--it would, legally, have to be donated to food banks. (I imagine the banks would pass by to collect, or perhaps the city would have to organize it.)
I used to work ar a DD. I was always furious when they threw away the items that didn’t sell! There were a lot of homeless ppl around there!
This Japanese Toilet Refills Through A Sink In The Top So You Can Rinse Your Hands And Re-Use The Water
Grey water reuse is awesome, although this would be ergonomically a bit awkward to use. I've seen these at urinals as well where it would work much better.
There is no law of nature that states that the tank must be situated behind the toilet, it could be placed to the side while emptying in the right spot. All that is needed is a small change in the design.
Load More Replies...the first time I saw this I wondered why this is not adapted everywhere else.
The idea is fantastic. It would also reduce the cost of building a bathroom because you do not need separate plumbing for the washbasin.
Load More Replies...My aunt who lives in Tokyo has this too! Loved using it in the mornings.
This is a typical Japanese toilet; many people have them in their homes. Japanese never have a bathtub or shower in the same room as the toilet; to them, that custom is filthy and barbaric. So these water-recycling sinks save space in the little toilet room. I went to Japan in the early '90s with a few friends; we stayed at the home of a lady in Tokyo. She had one of these toilet /sink combinations. She also had a toilet paper holder that played a Beethoven melody when you pulled on the tissue! :-)
I want this installed in my mini bathroom (have two), it's both practical and ecological, also saves some space.
I've seen these in tiny houses. This would work well for small spaces.
Load More Replies...We have these at my Doctors bathroom In Mill Park in Australia.... One day an older lady asked me if I washed my hands in the toilet, I said no, only wash my hands in the basin on top of the toilet, she thinks the water comes up from the bowl to the tap in the basin, that's why she refuses to use it... God Bless Her..
You can buy these in Winnipeg, Canada too. OR you can convert an existing toilet with a product called Sink Positive.
You Bike To Keep The Outlet Going, To Recharge Your Devices
Really?? Mass Consumption at its best? Build one, or better yet don't because the point is we are suppose to be consuming less.
Load More Replies...I've always thought TVs should run on some kind of dynamo power like this. You can only watch TV for as long as you're willing to pedal!
Could I get three in my home for my children?? Ware them out in the process of charging their phones and school ipads. win/win
The Bowling Alley In My Neighbourhood Tore Up Old Lanes And Used Them To Renovate The Washrooms
We have a local place has used to be a bowling alley. They had two sets of alleys in different parts of the building. One alley they turned into a light up dance floor, the other they reused the bowling alley flooring from first alley to fill in the areas between the lanes to make a second dance floor. Quite clever!
I WORKED AT RESTUARUNT,WHERE THE TABLES WERE MADE OUT OF BOWLING ALLEY LANES(WOOD) BUT THEY WERE TO HEAVY TO MOVE
Wood used in lanes is usually high quality hardwood. Quite expensive. Makes sense to reuse
And they couldn't be bothered to go all the way to the floor? Bah!
My Local Coffee Shop Gives Free Compost Made From Their Used Coffee Grounds
I'm pleased to say every coffee shop in my city - Portsmouth UK - give away their grinds for gardening.
Our zoo sells 'zoo doo' composted from the feces of various animals. You could buy lion poo, giraffe poo, you name it. Only available in the spring for a limited time, the zoo makes a profit out of something that would be thrown away.
You can ask for used coffee grounds at most any coffee shop. I mix the grounds with egg shells for my potted plants/veggies.
Looks like they reused the coffee bags that the beans came in
Load More Replies...Wait! What? For free? I wish our coffee shop would do the same as we use old coffee grounds to grow our own button mushrooms and oyster mushrooms!
I Bought A Pack Of Cigarettes And They Came With A Postage Paid Recycling Pouch
The main point is that they don't biodegrade, so I'm glad they found a way to recycle them.
Load More Replies...Ahhh- eco friendly cigarettes- if only their smoke and chemicals didn't fill the air.
An average smoker smokes around 15 cigarettes per day. There are around one billion smokers worldwide. That makes 15 billion cigarette butts per day. Here are 22 ways to quit smoking: https://www.thehealthy.com/addiction/smoking/quit-smoking/ and here are facts: https://theconversation.com/whos-smoking-now-and-why-it-matters-109605
I stopped smoking (having smoked for 49 years...) because of butts. I just couldn't stand them anymore. Too much was too much. Butts were the only thing that motivated me enough to stop.
Load More Replies...The carbon footprint of making that pouch, shipping it and recycling it..
This should be everywhere! And more well known! I see cigarette butts EVERYWHERE in my town, whether it's by a bench, or on a sidewalk, or in a small flower patch. It's really disgusting. And I see them in places where there are tons of little kids, who would probably wonder what they taste like and not know any better. Even throwing them away in the trash is better than leaving them on the ground but recycling them is definitely the best option! Although, if I could change anything, it would be to get rid of all cigarettes (really just smoking in general) forever but that's not gonna happen :/
Also, excuse my ranting but can people, like, NOT smoke in public at all if they feel they really have to smoke? There are some people (like me) who have a ~little thing~ called "asthma" who could stop breathing bc of someone's smoke! Seriously, if you really want to get lung cancer and die, don't take other people down with you. And for little kids, even if they don't have asthma, it's still pretty dangerous for them. AND it's a fire hazard, too. It doesn't look "cool". It looks stupid and dangerous. Now, I understand if you have an addiction to it, but please try not to smoke where it can harm people! Do it in your home or in a place where you're alone, and ALWAYS throw the butts away-- or better yet, recycle them with what's in the picture! Yeah, just recycle them. Please.
Load More Replies...My Shoes Came With A “Handle” Rather Than Being Packed In A One Time Use Bag
nice if you bought just one pair of shoes... Will look like a christmas tree if bought three or more :D :D
What about to bring your own bag for buying multiple pairs of shoes (or other goods)?
Load More Replies...That's why I always have a canvas bag in my bag and a bunch of them in my car.
Any box, unless very heavy, can instantly become a bag if they put a handle like that. They just need the ends of the handle to be very sticky and the glue to have a strong hold
Most of our stores in Canada don't give out bags anymore. You have to supply your own bag...
Or pay a nickel per bag that I STRONGLY suspect simply adds to the company's profits.
Load More Replies...Throw And Grow Confetti
Why do you even have plastic confetti? Ours has always been made from paper, not plastic.
Often not even normal paper but unsold newspapers, and the newspapers themselves are often made of recycled paper, recursive recycling.
Load More Replies...I saw an idea where someone made confetti out of leaves (using a hole punch).
I really hate when people use plastic confetti. It's just too selfish...
Or just hole punch lots of leaves for confetti. Would look especially brilliant in Autumn!
Or just go with rice and let the birds have a munch...... Imagine the saving in production and energy.
They banned rice in my country because uncooked rice swells up inside the stomach and caused a problem with the birds.
Load More Replies...I suppose this is meant to be used at weddings held outside in Mother Nature. I find it to be a great idea, it would also be wonderful if you have decided to rewild part of a property and throw a party to do it. SERIOUSLY: we should make good use of every good reason to throw a party!
Disposable Bowl Made Out Of Nothing But Three Pressed Leaves, Sturdy Despite Being Fastened Together With Just A Small Bamboo Pin. Used By Street Food Vendors In India
It's for Pani Puri (a snack) and with these pressed leaves they also make disposable plates
Sounds perfect - made me realise how hungry I am and with nothing decent in the fridge ☹
Load More Replies...It is made of reused cardboard and leaves pressed together, as in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73JelRruA38 or with reused paper and leaves pressed together: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQEOannAxTk
I love the look of it and the idea - but might the leaves give off some substances if they come into contact with wet or oily food? I know that for example banana leaves are "food safe", so to speak, but those here look a bit dry and less "sealed". Does anyone know more about it?
Sorry for my poor english. Here in india, these type of plates are made by teak wood leaves and palm tree leaves. It didnt leave any substances when contact with wet, hot and oily foods. It is completely safe.
Load More Replies...A New Question Is Up On Our Cigarette Voting Bin On Villiers Street
But with something other than cigarettes, hopefully.
Load More Replies...It's ugly but it works. Oh, I don't even smoke and I'm wanting to vote for poor Messi there. :D
The closest beach will give you as many butts as you could possibly want
Load More Replies...This makes me want to vomit.. Sorry cigarette butts / cigarettes and gross. I don't want to see them... EVER!
I agree, it's an ingenious solution to try and keep idiots from tossing their cigarette butts, but it's still completely disgusting and I'm sure it smells awful.
Load More Replies...Geez . . . Europeans are so much more creative than we are . . . less time on phones, more time to look around and think. STARS. STARS
The Water Taps At This Cafe Drip Onto Plants To Not Waste Water
Stop the nonsense........ If your tap is dripping then you're wasting water. Stop your tap dripping and water the plants normally. That's when you'll start saving water.
Even the best taps will let some drips fall out. Also, clumsy / neglectful customers.
Load More Replies...They Had A Bike At My School To Blend A Smoothie That They Were Handing Out At Lunch
P6? Am I the only one that has not heard 2006 said like this?
Load More Replies...I love that kid's grin. Sometimes it's just the little things that matters.
I totally agree - looks so happy and made me smile too.
Load More Replies...I cANT OMG I DID THIS LIKE 2 YEARS BACK WHEN I WAS IN YR 6 only i love this
What a nice way for kids to get exercising while getting something healthy to drink. Come on school lets get with the program.
This Coffee Cup Is Made From Recycled Coffee Grounds
I think this is neat, but I don't think it solves a problem. Coffee grounds are not a major pollutant and are great for composting and gardening. I would like to see coffee mugs made from something that really needs to be recycled or that is in abundance and renewable that is not so readily used already.
I still prefer to give my coffee grounds back to nature in the compost. Here is the German company that makes them: https://www.kaffeeform.com/en/
If you live in Berlin, Germany like I do... you can buy them at OSLO Caffee.
It seems that it smells like coffee, I' ll tell you later when mine has arrived :-)
Load More Replies...Eco-Friendly Eggs Packaging
The paper ones are actually quite eco-friendly too (not the plastic ones) because it's a way to reuse even a couple of times recycled paper that has little to no other uses. :)
And it's bio-degradable, so you can just throw it to the compost once they're done.
Load More Replies...But we already use cardboard egg boxes, have done for 50 odd years....?
we use the paper cartons as fire starters for the wood burner that provides our homes heat. There are 12 to be made per carton, cut individually and then fill the little egg spot with the lent from the dryer and you've got yourself a fantastic starter.
Currently, residential electric clothes dryers consume about 71 TWh/year in the U.S. or approximately 4% of total annual residential electricity use. (Four percent!!!!) Somewhere I read that in many places in the USA it is against regulations to hang laundry to dry outside. Is this true???
Load More Replies...Since the styrofoams ones exist, reuse them. They are great for crafts. Store beads or other small objects. Use them to separate colors while painting, etc...
This Steel Gate Made Up Of Pliers
I can only imagine how much you enjoyed typing balletic.
Load More Replies...taking a screen shot, we just bought a property that has a GAZILLION Pliers and we could use them to make the entrance gate! thanks for the idea
An incredible piece of art, but hardly any recycle, unless those pliers were not usable any more...
This Office Is Made Up Of Old Shipping Containers
Nothing bad there, as long as there are no Radscorpions in there :D
Load More Replies...Apparently there are so many shipping containers lying around that could be used for so much like this, housing for homeless . . . get creative. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE SOME OF THESE IDEAS COME FROM
Pardon me for saying so, but what does this really save? Some siding, drywall and 2x4s? Hard to tell, but might have lost ground on insulation and resulting energy requirements for climate control...
It actually saves more then you realize. When a shipping container is used correctly you don't even need to drywall the inside. You use a single layer of poly spray which creates a perfect climate and if you use more then one container you can so bend interior walls instead of building new ones. It also cuts down on stored, decommissioned containers that are no longer 'fit for use'. Plus they are flood, hurricane, and fire proof. I'm a container fiend! 😊
Load More Replies...Notice all the air conditioners, though. Shipping containers are blazing hot in summer, freezing cold in winter. Non-insulated, relatively thin metal. Unless electricity is produced sustainably, this is just cheap construction.
This was our life in Christchurch after the massive earthquake. Hundreds of shops operated and still do out of shipping containers. We live in them as well
Are those on top solar panels? If they are, this is even more eco-friendly :)
This Sketchbook Made From Real Recycled Circuit Boards
I found them - it's from a Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinteresting/comments/8x095r/this_sketchbook_made_from_real_recycled_circuit/
Load More Replies...Not to be a partypooper, but this does not look like a recycled circuit board. A used one would not have the gold pads, they would be covered with soldering tin.
It'd be great if you can send the cover back for a discount on a new one
The circuit board which is pictured above does not appear to ever have been used. I wonder if it was a factory reject or something like that.
Here in Finland one company created jewelry from used circuit boards but they had to quit that because some scientist explained how dangerous those used circuit boards can be.
Would be interested to see the source. Everything in EU has to be RoHS compliant. To be fair, I imagine they'd be a hazard if eaten.
Load More Replies...I love this stuff I used to have Luggage tags made of recycled circuit boards.
My New Dentist Has Their Forms Laminated To Reduce Paper Waste By Simply Plugging In And Wiping Off
Wait why are they giving you a sharpie then? I understand it shouldn't wipe off when your hand crosses over it but wouldn't it be better to use a water washable dry erase markers? Because sharpies are made to be permanent after they dry?
Rubbing Alcohol erases sharpie. Plus it's a hospital/clinic, I'm sure there is plenty of the stuff nearby. It's absolutely awful being left handed and writing with a dry erase marker.
Load More Replies...we talk with oure dentists and they make notes in computer - no paper at all
We actually do that too :) I work at a dental office and I told them about this exact post. We are now doing it like this for 3 months now and our patients allready commented on it beeing a very nice idea. :)
Completely off subject I know, but why does a dentist want to know your marital status?
Resealable Cans Of Water
I also have one single bottle that I always refill with tap water. This one is a very good idea, where can we get one?
This is really not intended to be refilled. You cannot clean it. Continue with the one you have.
Load More Replies...USE YOUR TAP WATER! Filter it, if it makes you feel better. But for the love of all the deities in the world, STOP BUYING PACKAGED WATER! Most of us have perfectly fine tap water.
I would add the addendum: but if you are out and about without a bottle of water, it is much better for the environment to buy a bottle of water than a can/bottle of coke or cup of coffee.
Load More Replies...WHY would you want to add plastic to a container that could be 100% metal and easily recyclable? That closer thing just makes this thing harder to process back to usable "raw" aluminum which can be used anywhere.
Please, STOP BUYING WATER! Use your tap water, and filter it if it makes you feel better. Most of us have perfectly good tap water, and it is readily available without single-use packaging and without a huge environmental cost for transportation. It will be good for your wallet, too.
they taste a lot better than plastic bottle water, probably because of the plastic.
Load More Replies...I do not understand why Americans got the idea that home grown water is toxic--well, it is in some places--but, thinking about it, The plastic companies, back in the 70's began their propaganda about possibly "tainted" water and we fell for it . . . . once again. We are so gullible . . . probably Jesus said to drink plastic water . . .
The Paper Tag Attached To My New Pan Can Be Planted To Grow Herbs
Here in Australia one of the stores (woolworths) currently has a 'mini garden' for people who spend more than $30 i dont know how many different seeds there are but currently my family is planting beetroot, chives, basil etc. It works better than we expected
Load More Replies...The tag has seeds in it. Plant the tag and grow herbs.
Load More Replies...My School Fights Littering By Installing Basketball Hoops Above Trash Cans
This Bag Of Old/Stained Face Towels Have Been Re-Used As “Rags” At This Hotel
I take my own washing items when I travel. They fit in a tiny bag. Hand-crocheted cotton washcloths and my own shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc. This is also a great idea. Next they need to stop with the cutesy individual items in the bathroom and just have the bulk pumps on the wall.
Many chains are now doing this, placing dispensers in rooms instead. Glad to see it!
Load More Replies...I love this one. Everyone has that one crappy towel or such at home that has been stained by hair dye or bleached accidentally. Don't leave it out on display but dont' throw it out. If anything Animal Shelters will take them.
this is a great idea. A lot of hotels use white washers and towels and i'm sure heaps get thrown away because of makeup removal, red wine, mud, etc.
This is an old Northern English thing to do! All of my old, decrepit towels, once they've been relegated to dog towel and got to threadbear for that, they're cut up into dishcloths and finally are recycled via H&M.
why have hotel towels out if you r gonna tell ppl not to use them, kinda defeats the purpose of putting them out dontcha think...?
I use such old towels instead of kitchen paper. Didn`t buy that for 3 years
This Sink Counter At A Brewery Is Made With Recycled Beer Bottles
But glass bottles are beeing recycled already.... Or is that not so in the US?
No we recycle glass in the US I think they mean reuse/repurpose
Load More Replies...I think this is called terrazzo ... it was routinely done in the past and is now making a comeback. Beautiful.
You can buy this at Lowe's. It's called Curava recycled glass countertops. Similar to Quartz.
Frequently glass recycling is more energy intensive than simply making new glass. They have also been taking glass for recycling and pulverizing it to replenish beaches that have been eroded due to climate change.
Or, just recycle the glass bottles into...I don't know...maybe glass bottles?
This is so cool AND it looks awesome! Kinda like a mosaic, but without a picture.
You can do pictures with the little bits of glass, too
Load More Replies...The Beach I’m At Has A List Of Commonly Found Garbage And How Long It Takes For It To Decompose
I also would like them to add some bin below and let the people segregate waste that they had/picked up on the beach based on the list.
Putting a recycling bin in front of each one would improve the effect of this display
Plastic bottles: 70-450 years Plastic bag: 500-1000 years Tin can: around 50 years Leather shoes: 25-40 years Thread: 3-4 months Cotton: 1-5 months Rope: 3-14 months Cigarette: 1-12 years Milk packet (tetra) covers and drink packets: 5 years Nylon clothes: 30-40 years Sanitary napkins & children diapers: 500-800 years Glass bottles: 1,000,000 years Hairspray bottle: 200-500 years Fishing line: 600 years. Glass bottle; 1-2 million years Aluminum can: 200 years
I think it is Sweden. We have this in my small beach town Skanör in southern Sweden,
Load More Replies...My Work Place Has A White Board Showing Yesterday’s Food Waste Right Above Where Employees Keep Used Dishes
I believe this is at a buffet, I've seen them in a few in my town.
Load More Replies...ive seen this done at various camps ive gone to in the past, for younger kids theyd make it a bit of a competition between different camp sessions tryin to get food waste to be lowered
It is fair comment. But if the sign is on place where you put plates after you eat, isnt it a but too late?
I have been to too many buffets where people, especially if they are not used to eating like this, fill their plates with a perfect mess of everything in the shape of Mount Everest, as if they are afraid that if they do not grab as much as they can Right Now! they will go without. What a waste. And yes, that too, what a waist!
Have you ever eaten at an "All You Can Eat" buffet? It's set up to have tons of waste.
This Public Bench Was Made Using Grocery Bags
still there, being used. Or the earth has ended. Either way, its so much better as a bench!
Load More Replies...Desk Made From The Engine Cowl Of A 747
I've seen such furniture. It's very, VERY expensive. Way past Ikea or Amazon desk prices...
It is not mass-produced, it is probably made by master craftsmen and will last several hundred years.
Load More Replies...This one is not about recycling, but publicity. I'm wondering what happened to the other two thirds of the cowl.
This Bin Shows You Examples Of Different Types Of Waste And Where They Go
This is nice. For people who cannot or cannot be bothered to read where they have to throw what
I find people genuinely don't know, and reading doesn't necessarily confer the categories as clearly as a visual example. If something isn't on a reading list, they're lost, but give them a visual and they're much more likely to get it correct.
Load More Replies...In the "landfill" bin I see things that could be recycled, though...
“Landfill”? Where I live combustable waste is burned in high tech (clean) plants to get heat and power.
Interesting but how do the make it clean? Most power from plants that burn waste is bad for the environment so I'm genuinely curious.
Load More Replies...My Hotel Wants You To Take The Nice Soap Home
Or you could install a refillable liquid soap dispenser and not waste all the resources on the little soaps, and the bags and the printing on them.
Well, than you'd just have giant bags of liquid soap! it takes TWENTY years for plastic to decomposes vs two to six weeks for paper. and goodness, can you image what the traces of soap left inside the plastic bag could do to the ground as the bag rots?
Load More Replies...I travel with my own soap. I just toss it in a zipper bag and take it with me. Unfortunately, most soap is full of grease, nasty perfume, and plants, all of which can give me a fairly severe allergy attack.
Not sure why you got down-voted. I have the same issue with a lot of products that are meant to be used on the skin. My own soap/shampoo/lotions go everywhere with me. They can used the unused stuff they provide for their next guest.
Load More Replies...At inexpensive lodgings, we take the thin rectangles of soap and break them in two pieces, one for the sink, one for the shower. Try to not use what we don't need.
My cousin started up an organization to collect all the half used soaps and take them to places that could use them
This Hotel Uses Papaya Stalks As Straws
Aren't some people deathly allergic to papaya? Or maybe I'm thinking of mangoes.
Vietnam started using besides metal, bamboo straws& so on straws made out of grass. They are superb!
Load More Replies...This Water Fountain Tells You How Many Disposable Plastic Bottles You've Saved Through Using It
they had one of those at a camp i went to! we saved over 1,000,000
Malarkey. Some machine telling you that you're being eco-friendly by using their c**p is NOT the same as actually being eco-friendly. This is the commodification of eco-awareness, but not really helping things like our environment, OR its future. If anything, it hinders improvement by giving you the delusion that you're doing something to better the world, which in this instance, you're not, no, not really. But keep consuming, y'all.
"Globally, more than a million plastic bottles are sold every single minute. In the U.S., only 30% of these bottles are recycled; Norway recycles 97%. Bottled water requires up to 2,000 times the energy used to produce tap water" https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/08/plastic-bottles/
The Golf Balls At The Mini Golf On This Pier Are Biodegradable And Fall Into The Sea At The 18th Hole
It's not, but because this location is at the pier, it's better than littering the water with golf balls when people miss.
Load More Replies...What happens when a fish eats it the second it drops into the ocean?
It's the sea fish food so they won't eat plastic some what
Load More Replies...An Environmentally Friendly, Staple-Free Staple
are they easy to undo as well? I cant count how many times I have had to take staples out of documents to just leave tears.
Load More Replies...These are mainly use in mental hospitals. I guess you can harm yourself with staples
Staplers that worked like this were used over 100 years ago. What goes around, I guess . . .
I've been using one of these for years! You can only do it through a maximum of about four sheets of paper but they hold up really well and if it does pop undone, it's easy to put back together again.
A Coffee Shop In Santa Cruz, Ca Accepts A Bucket Of Trash As "Payment" For A Cup Of Coffee
Lol, I actually scrolled back up there to look again and see if there was a bucket lol! Then I got it lol
Load More Replies...This Coffee Shop Is Offering Straws Made Out Of Hay To Reduce Waste
I am legitimately wondering how cost effective this is and would it affect people who were allergic to hay/grass?
My sister is allergic to grass/ hay and its usally the pollen and dust from it she reacts to.
Load More Replies...FINALLY! I have been going around moaning about this forever. It would be a real boon to farmers if they did a high cut on their corn/wheat stalks, and then did a second cut to provide a whole field full of straws. But for the record, straw comes from the base of various grain crops, and hay is dried grass. Hay straws make no sense!
Since they would have to be steam cleaned, there would be no surviving allergens, so you would be fine, I think.
Load More Replies...Not to poo-poo anyone's idea, but why can't we learn to drink beverages without straws? We do it at home all the time.
Occasionally I get allergies that affect my lips and some drinks sting on contact (though are not the cause of the reaction). So at times straws make my life significantly better! I use metal ones that I can wash though.
Load More Replies...This Lemon Company Sells Ugly Lemons That Don’t Make The Cut For Their Normal Bags
One of our supermarket chains sell bags of food called the "odd bunch" they are fruit and veg that aren't cosmetically appealing but perfectly fine for consumption. So what if the carrot is bent, or the apples have some spots. Also they sell ones that may have had hail or other weather damage but again fine to eat. They often have apples, pears, carrots etc and they are cheaper too.
So, the thing is, that ugly fruits and vegetables never go to waste. They are sent to processing for juices, marmalade, sauces, etc. The only exception is lettuce, because there just isn't a second use for it.
Morrisons supermarkets sell a whole range of 'Wonky' fruit and veg, at a lower price. Asda also do a box with 'Wonky' fruit and veg. Not sure if Tesco does it or not. But that has nothing whatsoever to do with recycling 😕
I'm surprised that there are the any "ugly" fruits available,, given that the ugly fruits are in high demand in the industry for slicing, dicng, and juicing. Ugly fruits are never wasted.
My Bank Uses An Eco Friendly Envelope Which You Can Put In The Ground And The Flower Seeds Within The Paper Will Grow
I want to get letters like this! Heck would be happy to get bills if they came in these.
For me, it would be nice if the letter inside it would be like this so after reading the letter or paying the bills I can plant them instead of shredding them or hoarding on my drawer.
Load More Replies...I've seen a few of these now & only one person (that I could see) commented about how this could be dangerous as well, if they are not "native" seeds they can overtake the ecosystem they are planted in. THat is why we are not allowed to bring fruits & vegetables across the boarder.
Yep, as much as I do like these, unfortunately my house is the place where plants come to die!! And I live in a flat, no garden
Does anyone know how many of these envelopes or labels or pencils we have seen here actually gets planted? If one out of a thousand tries to plant it, then it is a colossal waste of seed, but if seven or eight out of ten do it, then fine!
These Tables Are Made From Old Construction Signs
I think this older type is being replaced with signs with reflective lettering.
Load More Replies...This Drinking Fountain Acts As A Plant Watering System For What People Don't Drink Rather Than It Going Back Into The Sewer System
With a well draining soil this should not be a problem outdoors unless there's a non ending flow of thirsty passerby. I'm more worried for the potted plants catching tap drips seen high in this list. They are at a greater risk to be overwatered in my humble gardener opinion.
Load More Replies...Amazon Package (Guitar Plectrums) Used The Order Receipt As The Goods Packaging
This is brilliant because I have received some stuff from Amazon that comes in a box 10x's larger than necessary.
Yes, I swear if I ordered a roll of bubble wrap they would bubble-wrap it.
Load More Replies...They are, but they're not single use or made to be thrown away.
Load More Replies...This Custom Clothier/Show Cobbler In San Francisco Makes Shoes And Reuses Old Tires As The Tread
In my country used tires are soles of shoes since a century ago or so. And of course soles are completely or almost completely plane, not such a deep profile. Moreover if we think most of them come from tractors and agricole vehicles.
Load More Replies...Ever since the first discarded tire, there have been poor people making their shoes like this! San Francisco hipster garb, my a*s!
Just don't commit a crime wearing these. So easy to match shoe prints!!
"Detective Why are these Chevy tire treads in the shape of a foot?" Over dramatic thinking man. "They must be shoe tires
Load More Replies...Wife Brought Home An Agenda From A Work Meeting Today. They Stapled The Paper With The Paper. What A Time To Be Alive
From the text alignment it looks like the 'stapled' corner is the normal top left but the stack has been flipped over to show detail on how the paper is joined.
Load More Replies...These kinds of fasteners were really big many decades ago. They pretty much faded out because they don't hold reliably and are only good for a few sheets. Somehow I have a hard time seeing staples as a significant environmental issue.
I've been looking at this for a solid two minutes and I still don't understand how it works
Had A Volunteer Help Me Make These Stools Out Of Our Discarded Books For New Library Seating
Working as a librarian, I was horrified to find how many books are completely discarded, or thrown in the tip. The companies that bulk buy books to provide for charities and underdeveloped countries will only accept books in pristine condition. It is very, very hard to find ways to get books to kids who might need them any other way, unless you have the means to pay thousands in postage, which government run libraries don't. I love books with a passion, but there is a criminal amount of waste involved in their production and disposal.
Wait but why were the books discarded they look fine? Do we think they were damaged in some way that made them impossible to read?
They usually have pages that are falling out, or are very very old and therefore worn out. My library sells the still-readable ones for 25p though!
Load More Replies...It would have been great if the seats were held up by supports instead of directly made with the books. This way people could still read them. They look in good enough enough condition. To me this is just wasteful. :(
These See-Through Bins
I don't use bin liners/trash bags. I empty my small household bins straight into the outside wheelie bin.
Load More Replies...So what do they do with this when it's full? I see a can, orange peels, plastic wrap in the bin with trash. Does someone sort through it or does it all get dumped to head to the dump?
Petco Offers Discounted Price When You Bring Your Empty Tub Of Their Brand Litter Back
It's fair. You don't need to pay for it if you give it back. In Germany a lot of bottles and packages can be given back and you get money to do it. Every country should do it.
That is valid for bottles in a lot of countries (shame on every country that does not have a deposit scheme) where you pay a little more for the bottle of the product you buy, and then you get that deposit back when you bring the bottle back for recycling.
Load More Replies...It's like going to a bulk food store....but for litter. Side note....clay litter is horrible for the environment.
I'd offer at least 40% off since the bucket is usually a good portion of the price.
Omg this is in El Paso, I used to live there and they have the same exact thing, even the aisle to the left. This gives me so many memories. Why am I crying over a litter refilling station?
Lol glad it brought back memories. But just about every Petco I've ever been to has been set up the same exact way.
Load More Replies...Litter Picking Station At A Beach In Cornwall, UK
Chewing Gum Bin Made From Recycled Chewing Gum
So they recycle gums to make a bin or they also recycle gums to make another gum? That'll make me have a goosebumps!
I see this all over the place in chessington world of adventures in England.
So Our Package Arrived In The Mail The Other Day, We Opened It Up To Find Some Very Eco-Friendly Packing Material
Lots of packaging material is made of corn. Those soft cheese puff looking ones are usually just corn.
And those 'cheese puff' packing peanuts dissolve completely in water. It's quick, too. I'm ad Amazon (and others) don't use them more often...I used to get them a lot, haven't seen them in about 5 years now.
Load More Replies...LOL They actually call the Styrofoam puffs "packing popcorn" this is AWESOME!
Hahaha, I wouldn't eat it though. It might have been put through dirty machinery.
The Inside Of My Ipad Case Is Made Of Old Toothpaste Boxes
I've seen this entry before, on a list about buying really cheap things from places like China and they're incredibly poor quality, or in this case, a total scam.
My School Made A Bench Out Of Old Mac Computer Towers
Schools usually have laptops now. There must be millions of these things around the world waiting to be reused.
Yes. Those are Power Mac G5s, they haven't been in productions since 2006.
Load More Replies...This Movie Theater Collects Popcorn For Local Farms
Why would you feed animals seasoned/buttered popcorn? That can't be good for the animals.
Are you familiar with the term "salt lick?" Many animal s search for salt.
Load More Replies...This Coffee Shop Uses Dry Fettuccine For Stir Sticks
Uhh... why? It's still single use and a lot of energy goes into making pasta (land, water and human resources). If you want to be eco-friendly just use metal spoons, they have worked for centuries, no need to waste food.
Is it really more eco friendly for a takeaway coffee shop to wash up hundreds of metal spoons every day?
Load More Replies...I think we all should just have our own metal cutlery on us. Just rinse, put back in your bag and repeat.
Load More Replies...I applaud the effort to be eco friendly, but I am not fond of the idea to stir my tea with a noodle. Pasta has its' own flavour and this creates the possibility of sipping sugary peppermint tea with a hint of fettucchine. With a soggy noodle next to my cup. :/
Then just take your own spoon with you. Or just learn to mix your coffee faster. I don't understand why anyone would mix their coffee so long that the pasta turns soggy - that takes several minutes.
Load More Replies...Except that it doesn't work. If you stir your coffee with one of these, they cook and go limp, then end up in the garbage. This is a Bad Idea - and a waste of food.
Recyclable Laundry Detergent
I'd love to buy that! The plastic the detergent comes in annoys me so much.
Oh, and it works great! My family uses it and it smells nice, even if it’s not scented!
Load More Replies...Laundry soap is easy, detergent is much more difficult. You had better be a chemist if you want to actually make a detergent that will clean clothes. We've tried the home-brew soaps and they simply don't get things as clean. Sometimes technology actually does give us a win.
Load More Replies...Where would you refill your bottle? I’ve never seen that but I would definitely do it. And I do recycle my bottles.
Load More Replies...All Of The Benches At Legoland Were Made 800 Recycled Milk Jugs
Now next step is to make non petrol, recycled and recyclable Lego pieces to play, instead of the current.
Lego is experimenting with that. They have literal green bricks and tree shaped pieces made from 100% plant matter. It's apparently not something they're going to do product-wide anytime soon, sadly.
Load More Replies...An ugly bench is still a bench. When someone is tired and wants to sit, an ugly bench holds their butt as well as a pretty bench.
Load More Replies...The Bar I'm At Is Made From Doors With The Door Knobs Still Intact
There Are Now Cardboard Biodegradable Coolers Instead Of Styrofoam Coolers To Help The Environment
I love the idea, but would be able to keep things cool for the amount of time styrofoam could? It's like a legit question, not trying to make a point.
We get dozens of big styrofoam boxes a day at work. Recently we bought a press that presses the styrofoam into solid blocks. These blocks are collected to be used as raw material for.... styrofoam boxes.
but it's a single time use only. while a plastic one can be use for many years
This is an alternative to styrofoam coolers, which I always thought were incredibly wasteful. Also, I'm not sure how recyclable those big plastic ones are.
Load More Replies...We've had plastic coolers that last for 30 years. When that cardboard gets wet, it's done. Plus - that is brand new paper. This is nothing more than greenwashing.
This McDonald’s Has A ‘Liquids’ Section Of The Trash To Allow For Proper Recycling
OK. But what kind of Monster would ever not finish his/her Coke? I mean it´s Coke. C-O-K-E! I can see how people would not finish Fanta and Sprite though so yeah I get it.
Chairs Made From Tires
See the coloured lines on the rubber? That is only on brand new tires. This is not recycling, this is wasting perfectly good, unused tires, for an art project.
Tires can leak unhealthy substances when in contact with skin. So swings, chairs or flipflops may not be the best option.
Someone just took some motorcycle tires and car tires and make chairs
This Seems Like A Simple Way To Reduce Costs And Waste
I have about 100 (no joke) polynesian sauces from chick-fil-a and sweet and sour sauces from dairy queen in my fridge
I tried Burger King's "zesty sauce" and liked it so much I asked to buy a few extras - the clerk gave me a huge double-handful at no charge. It goes great with Morningstar Farms "chik'n" nuggets.
Load More Replies...I always give mine back and tell them I have plenty at home, yet they give that and napkins still. I'm using hand towels as napkins at home now. I only need such when I'm not going home.
UPS In Italy Uses These "Bicycle Trucks" To Deliver Packages To Places In Narrow Streets Of Rome
That has nothing to do with saving the planet. It is just because of the narrow streets and a delivery vehicle not fitting in.
Bicycles are environmental-friendly, they do not emit gases, so why hasn't this anything to do with saving the planet?
In Germany we also have bicycle-delivery trucks. And regardless what is was intended for (@Restless) it is an eco-friendly way to reduce both pollution and annoyance (ever tried to squeeze past a delivery truck in a narrow lane?). We love our delivery-bikes^^
The company where I work uses some of them in Stuttgart and Karlsruhe... you can deliver small packages, but not for bigger shipments, they still have to be delivered by truck
Load More Replies...The Seemingly Plastic Cup In My Home Team’s Stadium Is Plastic Free. Made From Sugar Canes
This Pizza Box Can Be Torn In Half And Folded To Create A Smaller Box For Leftovers
Leftover pizza for breakfast is practically a rite of passage for college students and young singles.
Load More Replies...It spares you to use a lunch box or similar that you would need to clean later on. More of a reuse and reduce, but still a small way of saving power/water.
Load More Replies...You cannot recycle cardboard once grease has soaked into it. This means that even though pizza boxes are recyclable, you cannot recycle one as soo as you put a pizza in it.
The Complementary Water In My Beijing Hotel Comes In Coke Bottles Recycled From The Olympic Games In Beijing 10 Years Ago
Plastic outlives entire generations of humans...
Load More Replies...Sorry but I would not trust a hotel to clean a used bottle enough so it is really clean. To me this just sounds cheap. They use an old coke bottle to give free water to customers. Were did that water come from and who cleans the bottles? I can not imagine Coca Cola giving/selling their branded bottles to be used for water, so they have to be used. Right?
If the bottles are made of glass then this is commendable, but if they are plastic then I believe this is a very, very bad idea.
I thought the same. The poisonous stuff in the bottles seeps out after a while.
Load More Replies...These Chips Are Made From Rejected Potatoes To Reduce Landfill Usage
This is definitely greenwash. All potato chips are made out of 'rejected' potatoes because they're cheaper than the 'perfect' kind you buy from the supermarket shelves.
Food in landfills isn't a problem because it eventually gets broken down, unlike plastic, metal and glass.
This Phone Charging Station Where You Have To Sit Down And Pedal To Get Power
This Cafe Uses Metal Straws To Reduce Waste
So VSCO girls was finally explained to me the other day by my 13 year old. She was like they wear extra large shirts with shorts so it looks like they aren't wearing shorts, they use scrunchies carry a water bottle and wear crocks or birckenstocks. They put stickers on everything. I was like sooooo my generation when we were in our pre teens except I didn't wear crocks? ohhhh kay
Load More Replies...I know stainless steel takes a lot of energy to produce, but our straws have lasted years and still look perfect.
One place I can't drink at then. My jaw clenches and locks as part of my disability , metal (and hard plastic before anyone says) straws can break my teeth. One use plastic straws are easy to recycle and cause less impact than washing metal ones, paper straws that are stable enough are not recyclable.
I do not use drinking straws. Period. They are not at all necessary.
I get allergic reactions that make my lips swell and sting on contact with liquid - straws are necessary for me then.
Load More Replies...They aren't only one use but forever. Other materials are possible as well. Plastic comes from petrol, which is an almost extinguished resourse used also to make medicines and other more important things. Looking at the big picture is needed.
Load More Replies...The Laser Engraving On This Avocado Reduces Plastic Packaging
Sorry to burst your bubble, mate, but as a fellow German I can say that Avocados are not usually sealed in plastic at this specific supermarket. Not even the ones labeled BIO. They sit in the open with the price-tag and everything else printed to a label above. Then the cashier looks up that PLU-Number (which is the number they have to punch into their computer to get the price tor an item) in a small folder next to them and boom, there you go. I have never seen Avocados (whole ones) in plastic packaging...
Well.. here.. they put two avocado's in a plastic holder, plus a plastic wrap and a printed label.
Load More Replies...My guess would be the waste that goes into all those printed label stickers maybe? I don't know otherwise
This Wine Bottle Has A Reusable Glass Cork
Cork trees have been decimated by the alcohol industry. That's why we see so many screw tops now. It's easy enough to buy a couple of your own wine stoppers. You don't need one with every bottle.
Actually this is a myth! The cork trees are ok with having their bark removed & will quickly regrow it!! https://bentandbree.com/cork-trees-endangered/
Load More Replies...Even the most expensive wine would taste perfect in a screw cap bottle.
Load More Replies...This Shopping Centre In London Has A Bin Specifically For Recycling Coffee Cups
Open a coffee shop where everyone has to bring their own recyclable or permanent mug. End of story.
I can hardly imagine that one would carry in their purse a reusable mug, or their own cutlery like I read above, besides all the other items ones usually carries in a bag....Not to mention men, they only use their pockets.
Load More Replies...My Dentist Office Uses Dry Erase Markers And Laminates Forms To Avoid Wasting Paper
This is a great idea. Now if we could just get the nurses and drs to actually read it!!! I cant tell you how many times I've written on my intakes, then they come into the room and say, "so what are you in for today? Do you have any (fill in the blank)?" And I immediately ask, "Did you read my intake forms? If you did, these questions wouldnt need to be asked." 🙄
As a fully functioning and healthy adult, it's hard to appreciate this but please take my word for it: you would be surprised at the inconsistencies patients present with. And that's not even taking into account what they honesty forgot and will recall when asked again or asked in a different way. It's not incompetence (though I easily forgive people for thinking so); it's done by design. Believe me, we're not there to waste your time or ours.
Load More Replies...They Are Replacing Street Lights With New Led Lamps. It Is Supposed To Reduce The Electricity Bill And The Light Pollution. I Don't Know About The Pollution, But The Street Looks Better
My local authority in London started to replace all their sodium street lights with LED lights to save them money. 3 months later they had to re-site all the LED street lights, they were so bright that they were keeping residents awake. Being a typical local authority they didn't think of using lower wattage lights with less LED's and simply abandoned the plan.
Actually there not so wonderful at all : https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267070067_LED_lighting_increases_the_ecological_impact_of_light_pollution_irrespective_of_color_temperature , https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2018/04/26/new-led-streetlights-may-double-cancer-risk-new-research-warns/ , https://www.scotsman.com/read-this/led-lights-are-affecting-wildlife-by-turning-night-into-midday-according-to-scientists/
Our LED lights turn off at 3am I'm sure it's all energy saving but the street becomes extremely dangerous (rural, pitch black).
Reduce light pollution by directing light downwards only, instead of everywhere. You can see the glare in the picture, a lot more from the old ones
I've seen this picture for the first time in 2014 and since then I'm curious whether these red lights will be successful or not. It for sure reduces electricity required and light pollution, but I still think the street on the right side is rather dark. Unfortunately, I've never been able to see it in real life.
The 'red' lights on the right are the old style sodium lights. The LEDs are on the left producing a pure white light shining down reducing light pollution. All our street lights where I live are now LEDs.
Load More Replies...Someone In My Office Noticed A Leak In The Ceiling And Instead Of Fixing It, They Mounted A Small Shelf On The Wall, Put A Plant On It And Then Used The Leak To Water It
Well, that all great but that lead left unfixed could potentially open up a can if worms.
Yeah I was gonna say that's probably against some kind of code especially when the ceiling starts molding
Load More Replies...No, but I suspect this is to troll the landlord/person/business responsible for the upkeep to fix it. This is some very inventive and humorous trolling.
Load More Replies...I had to do that when my roof was leaking and my landlord was procrastinating, but I wouldn't do it voluntarily - it just shouts out "black mold" to me.
Come on now, why take it at face value? This is what to do when you have complained again and again and again about the leak and NOTHING gets done! I love it!
So.. let the leak corrode the rebars inside the concrete and let a single plant grow.....
No..good if taking ages to get corporate to fix. But unfortunately leaks don't work this way.
Eco-Friendly Forks Made From Corn In An Asian Grocery Store
This Coke Bottle Is Made Out Of Ice
So your drink is FROZEN and it just melts into water/coke in your hand
Wouldn't last too long here in texas...but I could see it becoming a sport.
This Restaurant Has Metal Straws To Stay Green
Ask how they make sure the straw is completely clean all the way through...
We've got these at home, they come with long thin brushes, kind of like pipe cleaners.
Load More Replies...The City I Live In Has Trash Cans Dedicated To Pizza Packaging Near The River
They put them up, cause the amount of empty pizza boxes got way out of hand. Also as you can see, the regular trash cans here got this "roof" with four pillars on top. You are not able to fold the box small enough, to put it in the can. So there happend to be empty boxes all over the place. Good idea, but still, way to many boxes..
Even Target Uses Target Bags As Garbage Bags For Their Small Waste Bins
Totally. And everyone's mom has that one bag in the cupboard that is just filled with OTHER BAGS. Why pay a company like Glad to produce garbage bags that you then have to purchase?
Load More Replies...Uhmm in my country houses use plastic bags instead of garbage bags for disposing trash since we have tons of them in our drawers or a inside a larger plastic bags.
theyre just saving on buying garbage bags, its not like people are bringing back their bags and Target is reusing them for garbage.
Arizona Teas Being Sold By The Milk Carton
What this post shows is people attempting to change and break their old habits, YET, somebody has to put down the idea. At least they are trying to find away, Most likely more than you are doing. You sit there and complain, While somebody else makes things change for the better. Yes it may not be the best way at first, but at least they are on the right path.
I've got so frustrated seeing all the negative commentd on this post. At least people are TRYING. It's like some people want the world to end.
Load More Replies...I've got a better idea: brew a nice tea, add sugar and whatever fruit juices you want plus ice and - hey presto - you have ice tea! Without any single-use packaging.
The milk carton (tetra brick) is the worst, at it is impossible to recicle.
Seems as if you have something to say about everyone's post. How do you have time for that? Also, why remark condescendingly to others posts so often? Shouldn't you be using your time recycling?
Load More Replies...The comments on this post shows why we are having a difficult time saving the planet, as there are so many negative comments. Maybe these aren't the best options, but they are trying hard to make things better. We all need to make things better, and even small changes help.
The actual effect of most of them is negligible. But psychology and symbolism matter.
Load More Replies...So many of these are great ideas. Some of them will have next to no impact directly, but it's the fact that these make you think and make you more aware of your habits. That, plus it's good for customer satisfaction and maybe even a bit of publicity. That's a win all around.
This is what some Belgian architects are doing and I would love to see BoredPanda do a thing on this! https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/ng-interactive/2019/sep/29/meet-the-inventors-who-want-to-upgrade-your-life
Load More Replies...Although some of these ideas are not perfect, people are trying to make a difference. All of these ideas are a step in the right direction. The nitpicking, criticizing pessimists get on my nerves.
Let's face reality. Too many people, too used to luxuries ... disposable razors, pens, dishes and relationships.
So anyone that realizes and makes the change now, is a win.
Load More Replies...A lot of great ideas here! The straw thing gets me every time though. Why do we need straws? Is it really that difficult to drink with out one? I get why kids need them or when you are on the go, but sitting in a restaurant?
There are some disabilities that straws can help with when drinking and, for me, I get allergic reactions that make my lips swell badly and a lot of drinks sting on contact. At those times I do need straws. Though when it happens I'm very unlikely to be visiting a restaurant and terrifying the other diners!
Load More Replies...Very cool, only one problem with some of them - energy. Sometimes the energy used to recycle creates more pollution than not recycling. This is of corse not saying recycling is bad!
This is why we need to invest more heavily in clean energy sources, like solar, wind, geothermal, etc. Honestly, the sun produces all the energy we need. If we can figure out more efficient and more earth-friendly solutions for batteries, we'd be set.
Load More Replies...Such amazing ideas, I wish more corporations would use many of these ideas like "plastic" cups made from starch or straws made from avocado seeds etc. The amount of plastic companies produce is astounding. Consumers can do so much to do there part but of businesses continue the practices they do now I don't see that there will be a huge difference.
The comments on this post shows why we are having a difficult time saving the planet, as there are so many negative comments. Maybe these aren't the best options, but they are trying hard to make things better. We all need to make things better, and even small changes help.
The actual effect of most of them is negligible. But psychology and symbolism matter.
Load More Replies...So many of these are great ideas. Some of them will have next to no impact directly, but it's the fact that these make you think and make you more aware of your habits. That, plus it's good for customer satisfaction and maybe even a bit of publicity. That's a win all around.
This is what some Belgian architects are doing and I would love to see BoredPanda do a thing on this! https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/ng-interactive/2019/sep/29/meet-the-inventors-who-want-to-upgrade-your-life
Load More Replies...Although some of these ideas are not perfect, people are trying to make a difference. All of these ideas are a step in the right direction. The nitpicking, criticizing pessimists get on my nerves.
Let's face reality. Too many people, too used to luxuries ... disposable razors, pens, dishes and relationships.
So anyone that realizes and makes the change now, is a win.
Load More Replies...A lot of great ideas here! The straw thing gets me every time though. Why do we need straws? Is it really that difficult to drink with out one? I get why kids need them or when you are on the go, but sitting in a restaurant?
There are some disabilities that straws can help with when drinking and, for me, I get allergic reactions that make my lips swell badly and a lot of drinks sting on contact. At those times I do need straws. Though when it happens I'm very unlikely to be visiting a restaurant and terrifying the other diners!
Load More Replies...Very cool, only one problem with some of them - energy. Sometimes the energy used to recycle creates more pollution than not recycling. This is of corse not saying recycling is bad!
This is why we need to invest more heavily in clean energy sources, like solar, wind, geothermal, etc. Honestly, the sun produces all the energy we need. If we can figure out more efficient and more earth-friendly solutions for batteries, we'd be set.
Load More Replies...Such amazing ideas, I wish more corporations would use many of these ideas like "plastic" cups made from starch or straws made from avocado seeds etc. The amount of plastic companies produce is astounding. Consumers can do so much to do there part but of businesses continue the practices they do now I don't see that there will be a huge difference.
