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1500 questions
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3 answers
If I have a well, is gray-water really "wasted" when discharged directly in a septic system?
I live on an island dealing with water shortage issues in our sole source aquifer. The community has enacted a number of irrigation restricting laws, and there is significant discussion about various other water-saving practices such as turning off…
That Idiot
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How much energy am I harvesting?
I've developed a water pump that is powered by a 1 watt solar air pump. In 24 hours it pumps 54 gallons to a height of 30 feet. How much energy have I harvested?
Anthony Scotti
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Are biscuit wrappers (the shiny looking ones) recyclable ? Can I dump them in regular dry waste collecting containers?
Recurring waste has been a recurring theme in my questions about waste management. Want to ensure recyclability or reduce waste in everyday use.
Are these biscuit wrappers recyclable ?
A neighbourhood school has been having a environ-care project…
Whirl Mind
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How to store rechargeable batteries
I like using rechargeable NiMH batteries (AA and AAA) rather than buying single-use ones, for obvious reasons. The issue is, I often have to prematurely discard them because they leak. I suspect it has to do with storing them together in the same…
stragu
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Are talcum powder tins more sustainable than the ones that come in plastic boxes?
I was shopping and as a trial, I bought a talcum powder in a tin container instead of the usual ones that comes packaged in a plastic box. The material looks like a tin, although one cannot tell from the image:
Are the tins more sustainable than…
Whirl Mind
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4
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1 answer
When is a compost considered safe if it contains restricted animal material?
If a compost contains RAM(restricted animal material), what are the indicators one should look at in order to determine whether it is safe for pasture use.
George Chen
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4
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2 answers
What is the real impact of the new Adidas collection made with recycled plastic bottles?
Adidas has a new collection made with recycled plastic bottles recovered from the oceans.
I have been trying to find the real environmental impact of this collection but it has been difficult to find any relevant figures. The most I have been able…
S -
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3 answers
New electric vehicle: does the cost outweigh the benefits?
Since it's summer break and I can no longer walk everywhere like I could at university, I've been having to drive my car a lot. For a 2001 model, it gets excellent gas mileage (or so I assume, I've never driven anything else; I can drive it for…
NeurologicalApex
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4
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What is the average net impact of a human on the sustainability of our habitat?
I've been writing an informal essay on the true cost of everything and as per the question asked at the end, I want to approximate the average human's impact on habitat destruction/human sustainability.
With this, I then aim to elaborate how much…
ljs.dev
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4
votes
1 answer
Most sustainable way to cool a dorm-room
My first year of college has finally ended, and I will be moving from a suite style room to a single room, both student dorming.
My room will have temperature control, however it will be restricted from 65 - 75 (I believe) Fahrenheit (18 - 24…
NeurologicalApex
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4
votes
1 answer
Running boiler intake along chimney for preheating
My house has a boiler in the attic that provides hot water for taps and for central heating. On the opposite side of the attic is a chimney pipe for the fireplace on the ground floor. I was thinking of running the boiler's intake along that chimney…
Bas
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4
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1 answer
Sustainable way to protect books
I gone through many ideas to protect books so that they last for a long time.
Ideas I have applied:
I tried phenile tablet in storage
I used to add preservative oil to wooden storage as to not get humid.
My old books get small insects in them, and…
Yadav Chetan
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4
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3 answers
Why is solar energy so expensive?
I was surprised to find out recently that solar power plants tend to be more expensive than traditional energy plants based on depletable resources like coal and oil. Why is that? It seems as though the main expense of a power plant should be the…
Mikhail Katz
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1 answer
Will small quantities of soap in my compost cause problems?
After I get done washing the dishes there is often a decent collection of food scraps in the drain trap -- perhaps a few tablespoons worth. This is, of course, mixed in with some soap suds. If I put this into my compost, will it cause any problems?…
LShaver
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4
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2 answers
Organic or packaging free food?
If I face the choice of organic, packaged food and non-organic non-packaged food - which is more sustainable? http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/ tells me the negative impact of packaging is twice as big in terms of ecological footprint compared to…
Uli Alskelung Von Hornbol
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