Brummet's Conscious Blog

Greener Lawn Maintenance Were you aware that old, defunct lawn mowers, even those that are not operating, still have some value? Remove the blade, motor, cords, wires and gas tank, leaving the four-wheeled caddy and its push handle. Secure a strong box to this and voila! – you now have a wheeled cart that is perfect for harvesting or toting material, cords or tools around the property. The metal frame of most lawn mowers is recyclable. The wheels are a treasure to those that are handy around the workshop who can turn benches, tables, gates, chairs or shelving into movable, wheeled items. The motor and remaining parts might also be appreciated at a repair shop where they could be reused or potentially recycled. There are alternatives to traditional lawns too - from wildflower mixes to low-growing ground covers that rarely need mowing. Landscaping a portion or the entire area with drought tolerant, wildlife supporting plants is a very environmentally ac...

"Green" Lawns? Ahh. Spring arrives with the beautiful twittering of birds preparing their nests for the unborn. What - can't hear them? The low rumble of lawn mowers, leaf blowers, trimmers, rototillers and air compressors not only drowns out natures' symphony, but also disturbs skittish wildlife and sleepy neighbours. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, operating older gas-powered lawn mowers for just 1 hour will produce as much air pollution as a new car does in 11 hours. Lawn mowers newer than 1996 have to comply to new exhaust emission standards, which is a fantastic place to begin. Many home-maintenance machines offer 4-stroke engines options and while less polluting than 2-stroke, they still produce emissions. http://BrummetMedia.ca Gasoline-powered mowers cut the lawn in such a way that the lawn will experience even greater water loss and increased disease problems in lawns. Too often the blades become d...

4 Ways to Be Green in the Kitchen There are many benefits to reusing water however we want to clarify this a little for you before we offer the 4 tips below. To avoid overwatering, attracting pests or causing disease: choose a different group of plants every day, working your way around the deck or patio and lawn or garden. You may find you no longer have to irrigate or fertilize. If you find you have excess water, pour it over the compost pile or give it to the boulevard tree outside your yard. That said - lets take a look at what a few changes in the activities around the kitchen sink can do. - After meals, scrape your dishes into the compost bucket before rinsing. While rinsing, place a large bowl in the sink and fill it with the most soiled dishes and utensils; as you rinse the dishes the water will begin to fill the bowl and starts the pre-soaking process - reducing labour and water use. Anything caught in the bowl can be dumped on the lawn or compost bin. ...

What To Do With Old Books  There are many options for you to consider for used books and magazines: * Donating to any library is a good idea. Even well read publications are appreciated. If they do not make it to the library bookshelf, they will be sold in their annual fund-raising book sale. There are many kinds of libraries to consider aside from public ones - including church libraries, retirement home libraries, coffee shops and mobile libraries. * Go online to find the Operation Paperback Organization, which accepts donated reading material for the military. * Trading in at the used bookstore is a great way to support a local store that focuses on reuse. * Get involved in exchange loops with friends, family or co-workers. * Using the keywords "book swap" and “used book stores” and the name of your area in a search engine will reveal many places for trading used books. * Leave a box of books near the door for guests to riffle through...