Simple Living

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!

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.