Recycle-Reuse-Reduce

What is greywater?

Water that’s kinda dirty because it’s been used once, but clean enough to be used for something else.

Examples: Water from rinsing fruit that can be used to then water plants; or water from washing hands, laundry, or dishes that can be reused to flush the toilet.

Why I use greywater:

Last year I saw this Greentime video and began using greywater in my apartment. I was amazed by how easy it is to save lots of water.

The more I use greywater the more I realize how nonsensical our normal water system is. Think about it. Our bathroom sink is located a few feet from our toilet, but instead of using water from the sink to flush the toilet, the water from our sink is sent miles away to be purified, then sent miles back to our toilets. This is crazy. Why do we need water that is pure enough to drink for our toilets? As someone who loves efficiency (like any good social entrepreneur), I couldn’t stand for this normal water system, so I put a bucket under my sink and collected the water used for washing my hands, shaving, and brushing my teeth to flush the toilet. I do the same with water used to wash dishes. I also collect water that is normally wasted while it heats up and use it to water plants. By doing this, I save gallons of water everday and am more mindful of the global water crisis that is affecting billions of people.

There are a lot of great resources about greywater where you can learn more about the subject, as well as how to get started. Make sure to search for “greywater” on Goodsearch.com to support your favorite charitable organiation. Thesimpleway.org has a post on greywater that is short, sweet, and convincing. The greentime video mentioned above is a perfect introduction to the subject. And there are other videos that range from washing machine greywater system to ways to use greywater to irrigate your backyard.

If you are a student leader who wants to learn more about living a conscious lifestyle and get support for your student venture, apply now for a Conscious Lifestyle social entrepreneur grant.

Picture from thesimpleway.org

Since March 2006 Chicago resident Lauri Apple has run FoundClothing, her online archive of clothing that she and others worldwide have found in dumpsters, trash cans, and abandoned in public places. Her Website has been prominently featured in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and on NBC's Today Show, among other places. Recently Apple started a FoundClothing flickr photo poolwhere you can also submit your photos of discarded and lost finds. Send Apple your pics and help spread the word about freegan fashion!

Terrell Carter started The Lopez Energy Efficiency Project, a Conscious Lifestyle venture, to address the environmental degradation caused by his school's paper waste. He had two goals:

1. To persuade his school to switch from non-recycled paper, to paper made from post-consumer waste (PCW).

2. To reduce the amount of paper that students and teachers on Lopez Island use.

Terrell has been successful on both fronts. His school's administration has made the change to 40% PCW-paper, and Terrell is still working to move to paper made from 100% PCW content.

Terrell also launched an awareness campaign that educates students and teachers about paper waste, with tips on how to be more eco-friendly. The attached flyers are part of his campaign.

Photo by Life is Art.

Amethyst Strickland made news last semester with her environmentally fashion show. Amethyst, who is a Conscious Lifestyle Social Innovator and founder of Minor Changes for Major Impact, assembled a team to transform $150 of clothes purchased at the Waterfront Rescue Mission into a line of trendy styles for teens.

The Pensacola Independent News writes, "Amethyst is teaching other teens how to transform thrift store finds into cutting-edge designs while promoting environmental sustainability."

Following the success of her fashion show, Amethyst is working hard to organize an environmental documentary showing on Valentine's Day. The name of the event is aptly titled "Love the Earth." Minor Changes for Major Impact members will be on hand to collect petition signatures for a campaign to increase eco-friendly purchasing at schools.

Congratulations Amethyst on your continued success!

Two members of the New York City Council have introduced a trailblazing bill, Intro. 104, the Electronics Collection, Recycling, and Reuse Act, which, if passed later this year, would be the first mandatory municipal electronics recycling law in the country. It would make manufacturers responsible for collection and disposal of products when no longer usable, instead of leaving this task to consumers, who often simply dump them in the trash.

The bill’s 43 council sponsors believe it would encourage manufacturers to adopt more environmentally friendly designs, since they would held liable if products are not disposed of properly. It would also reduce the more than 25,000 tons of discarded electronics New York City collects each year. These products comprise the fastest-growing part of the city’s waste stream, and can contain mercury, lead, cadmium, and other hazardous materials. When burned or deposited in landfills improperly, they leach into the soil and are released into the air.

Intro. 104 is supported by Consumers Union, and the Natural Resources Defense Council and other environmental groups, who are urging Mayor Michael Bloomberg to sign the legislation. If it is passed this year, companies would have a year to design collection plans, and the bill would take effect in 2009.

To learn more about the bill, visit
Intro. 104

To learn what you can do to support the bill, visit
NRDC's Action Campaign

Just in time for Halloween...

For more DIY videos from threadbanger, visit the Threadbanger website or the "DIY Vintage Jeans w/ Coffee" video featured on Grist.