Most Popular
1500 questions
7
votes
2 answers
How can I build an ecologically conscious dam on a small brook?
I have a brook at the bottom of my property; currently a culvert empties into a small pool that then flows further downhill to the brook. I'm interested in adding a few more feet of depth to the pool by build a small dam at the other end and perhaps…
user379468
- 171
- 1
7
votes
1 answer
How to test whether a teabag has polyester fibres or not, without waiting for it to compost?
Some teabags are made (or partially made) of polyester fibres, and stay intact in compost after everything else has broken down.
Is there a quick way to test whether a teabag contains polyester, as compared to paper (and cotton, when a thread with…
Highly Irregular
- 8,795
- 10
- 38
- 78
7
votes
2 answers
Processing grey water (sink, shower) in off-grid situation
What is the best - cost, minimising negative environmental impact, simple - way to process grey water outflow?
I plan to build an off-grid cabin, I will be harvesting rainwater, using it in my sinks/shower with some 'eco' detergents and soap and…
welfare
- 71
- 4
7
votes
3 answers
Is there any way to recycle air-pollution into fertilizer?
Vehicles and Factories produce air-pollution like Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Sulfur Dioxide (SO2).
Plants use Fertilizer with those same compounds (NO2 & SO2)
So, is there any method to capture air pollutants and recycle them as fertilizer?
Neel
- 229
- 1
- 6
7
votes
1 answer
What are the challenges in mixing food production with living spaces?
Some of the other questions have discussed the differences between localization and sustainability, for example, What is the Relationship between Localising the Economy and Sustainability?
A lot of the answers bring up the issue that local food…
David Fritsch
- 441
- 2
- 6
7
votes
3 answers
How can a rocket mass heater be combined with a tight modern construction?
I currently have a house under construction. The overall design is for a tight, well-insulated building with a balanced active air exchange system (an ERV: a unit with two blowers, one in and one out, with vents spread throughout the house). I…
Jean-Paul Calderone
- 1,623
- 7
- 16
7
votes
2 answers
Is flying more sustainable than taking the train?
This paper argues that flying and taking the train compares in terms of energy - can this really be true? I am thinking that energy is a reasonable measure of sustainability although comparing emissions might have been more relevant if…
Uli Alskelung Von Hornbol
- 443
- 2
- 7
7
votes
1 answer
Bottle Bricks : Are there any demerits to stuffing plastic bottles with non-bio-degradable dry waste ex:polythene covers,chocolate wrappers etc?
A neighbourhood school wants to start an Environ-friendly awareness and action project for the children. The idea is to collect plastic water bottles (preferably of the same size and shape) and stuff them with non-bio-degradable dry wastes such as…
Whirl Mind
- 731
- 1
- 5
- 18
7
votes
1 answer
Is a sump tank necessary for my proposed aquaponics system?
I am designing an aquaponics system for my basement. I am thinking about one large fish tank approximately 3500 gallons. The grow beds will be above the fish tank and consist of twelve 45 gallon beds. Assuming after adding the grow medium, water…
Capt. Rib
- 71
- 1
7
votes
3 answers
Is solar energy the best renewable source of energy?
Here is my thinking on renewable resources. Biomass is the absolute worst way to go because it releases CO2 and damages habitats.
Geothermal is not far behind but is for a different reason. Geothermal is stable but has a low power output. Geothermal…
Caters
- 171
- 3
7
votes
1 answer
Worm Bin Health
This is my first post on the Sustainable Living stack exchange, which I did not know existed. I am extremely excited to become an active member on this exchange, because I try to live as sustainable as I possibly can, and love discussion.
Recently,…
NeurologicalApex
- 155
- 3
7
votes
2 answers
Pure Plastic vs Biodegradable Plastic
I've been reading around (here, here, here and here) and I can't really find an answer to this question: is it better to throw, for example, dog poop, inside a pure plastic bag or use biodegradable plastic?
I read that biodegradable plastic is not…
Physther
- 215
- 1
- 3
7
votes
1 answer
How much energy do wall outlets with USB waste when not actively charging?
In new buildings and homes I've noticed wall outlets with USB chargers popping up more and more:
Answers at another question indicate that these outlets waste energy just like traditional chargers ("wall warts").
But, how much energy is wasted?
LShaver
- 11,885
- 6
- 30
- 81
7
votes
2 answers
How is per capita energy consumption related to increasing per capita wealth?
Has there been any global calculation of average increase in consumption of energy per increase of wealth per person?
Has there been any such calculations/analyses. And could you perhaps tell us something more about them please.
O0123
- 173
- 5
7
votes
1 answer
How to recycle cartridges for ballpoint or rolling pens?
How can we recycle ballpoint pens or gel pens when they no longer work? Consider these scenarios:
1) Cartridge is empty. What we see now is ONLY a plastic stick with a ball point there.
2) Cartridge still has ink left. It may be dried out or the pen…
xqMogvKW
- 171
- 1
- 3