Latest news with #compost
CNET
07-06-2025
- General
- CNET
9 Sneaky Household Items That Actually Clog Your Drains
As a proud new homeowner, I've learned the hard way about what not to pour down my drains. There are obvious drain-cloggers you should avoid disposing of in the kitchen or bathroom sink. But what about the sneakier culprits that aren't always mentioned until it's too late? Hopefully, you can learn from my mistakes and avoid clogged drains. The goal of this article is to rid you of the headache of cleaning up a mess or, even worse, having to resort to an expensive plumber. I adamantly suggest you never pour these nine common household items down the drain. However, accidents happen, so I also provide tips on how to conquer water that starts to backup in your sink. 9 household items that will clog your drain Vegetable peels Carrot, potato and other vegetable peels may fit down the drain but that's about the worst place you can put them. That organic refuse will cause backups and clogged drains faster than you can say "compost pile." Speaking of which, a compost pile or organic waste processor is exactly where those materials should go. Here's how to start a compost pile if you're new to the game. Oil and grease Bacon fat shouldn't be poured down the sink, but it can be saved and used in your next recipe. Talisman Oil and grease are two of the most common drain-clogging substances. Large amounts of cooking oil left in the skillet or a mound of leftover bacon fat from breakfast are surefire ways to build up gunk in your kitchen pipes over time. Oil should be fully cooled and placed in a sealed receptacle before being tossed. Pork fat and bacon grease can be used to flavor your next recipe or season a cast-iron skillet. Read more: 8 Ways to Use Leftover Bacon Fat Oil-based foods: Salad dressing, mayo, marinades, chili crisp Try to avoid putting large amounts of mayo or salad dressing down the kitchen drain. MemoriesThe same goes for oily foods including salad dressing, mayonnaise, marinades and more. A small spot of mayonnaise may not cause an issue, but dumping a whole bottle of past-its-prime balsamic dressing or teriyaki marinade could cause problems. Heavily oil-based foods can't be composted and should be tossed in the garbage. Coffee grounds Coffee grounds can be composted but they shouldn't go in the sink. Chris Monroe/CNET If you make a pot of coffee every morning, disposing of the grounds is just part of the routine. Coffee grounds can be composted, but they should not go down the drain. Over time, coffee grounds will build up in the pipes and cause a backup. If you don't have one, consider starting a compost pile to keep food scraps from ending up in the sink and garbage. Use this helpful trick to avoid that compost pile stench in your kitchen. Or add a countertop food scrap processor like the Lomi or Mill Bin if composting isn't in the cards. Flour Extra flour should be composted or thrown away. iStockphoto/Getty Images If you've seen what happens to flour when it mixes with water, you know why it's not a good idea to pour it down the drain. Imagine a dense bread dough trying to make its way through your pipes. Not pretty. If you have leftover flour from a baking project or a recipe, you should compost it or else throw it away. Dirt and soil Fight the urge to flush excess potting soil down the kitchen drain. Justin Tech/CNET I'm admittedly guilty of this one. The kitchen sink seems like the perfect place to transfer an indoor plant from pot to pot, but soil and other dirt types can very easily clog your drain. If you can do it without letting more than a few granules down the sink, you'll probably be OK. If heaps of potting are involved, you'd be wise to take the project outside. Rice and pasta Be it cooked or uncooked, rice does not belong in your pipes. Compost it instead. Brian Bennett/CNET Unless you have a garbage disposal, no food scraps should be going down the drain. Rice and small pasta are especially tricky since they can sneak past your drain guard and end up in pipes they shouldn't be. To stop a starch-based clog before it happens, discard leftover grains and pasta in the compost pile or trash bin if you're not composting. Paper products Paper products, no matter how thin, do not go down the kitchen drain. Angela Lang/CNET There are no paper products that should go down the drain, even those made from thin compostable. Certain kitchen products like plates, bowls and napkins can be composted, but check carefully before adding them to your kitchen pile or smart kitchen bin. Otherwise, they should be tossed. Paint Oil-based paint is about the worst thing you could pour down the kitchen sink. Try mixing it with kitty litter until it dries before disposing of it.I've been guilty of this one, too but it's time to break the habit. Because paint is liquid, it might seem like a candidate for the kitchen sink but it's not. Paint adheres to pipes and if it dries, it becomes a serious plumbing problem. One genius hack for disposing of old paint: kitty litter. Mix some litter with the old paint can until it turns solid and toss it in the garbage. Check with your local sanitation service for certified disposal facilities for oil-based paints. How to unclog a drain with household items Is there anything baking soda and vinegar can't do? Angela Lang/CNET If your drain does clog, try a combination of vinegar, baking soda and boiling water water. There are many reports from LifeProTips and Lifehacks Reddit threads of this quick fix saving homeowners in a pinch. There are also chemical drain cleaners to help get things moving -- although a plumber we spoke to told us why you should be cautious with chemical drain cleaners. To stop food and solids from getting into the kitchen drain, a $10 sink strainer will save you grief later on. Most important is knowing which foods and household materials to keep out of the kitchen sink and avoid a clogged pipe catastrophe in the first place. FAQ
BBC News
31-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Guernsey islanders asked what makes their gardens grow
Gardeners are being asked if they would switch to locally produced compost in a bid to cut down on the need to import compost and artificial fertilisers to Waste has launched a survey to find out what products islanders use in their said the initiative was part of a review of the processing of local green waste, to improve efficiency and ensure a secure and reliable output for the materials being Button, Guernsey Waste's minimisation and sustainability officer, said: "Whether you're a keen gardener, a frequent user of the green waste site, or simply interested in supporting more sustainable practices, we would like to hear from you." Guernsey Waste said about 12,000 tonnes of household and commercial green waste is collected in the island each year. This is shredded at Mont Cuet and then composted for several months, so the material breaks down to produce a compost-like soil conditioner. This can currently be collected for free from Longue Button said: "We are looking to improve the current operations, to ensure they work as efficiently as possible and deliver the maximum benefit to the island. "The feedback from the survey will provide useful information to gauge what products islanders are currently using and the reasons behind their choices."As well as households, commercial gardening firms are also invited to complete the survey and feedback is also being sought from farmers.A new drop off site for household garden waste opened at Mont Cuet last year.
CTV News
28-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
City closes compost giveaway early due to high demand
While Edmontonians eagerly plant their gardens this spring, the city announced it will be closing its annual compost giveaway early due to high demand. Since the giveaway started on April 22, more than 11,000 Edmonton residents have collected over 1,900 tonnes of free compost. Free compost will still be available at the Ambleside and Kennedale eco stations until May 31 while supplies last. The city said that if more compost becomes available, it may reopen the giveaway program later this year. Bulk horticultural and agricultural compost is still available for sale. The city said funds from the commercial sale of compost help maintain a steady waste utility rate and allow the city to offer excess compost to residents through the annual giveaway. The city launched its green bin program in 2021.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Food waste collections coming to Brighton and Hove
Brighton & Hove City Council has approved food waste collections in the city. The new scheme, funded by the government and £1.2m from the local authority's budget, is set to be rolled out in stages from September. BHCC said the scheme would help boost recycling rates – which are "historically low" in the city - by getting food waste out of general refuse. Some residents raised concerns that food waste collections could lead to additional smells and traffic. Councillor Tim Rowkins, cabinet member for net zero and environmental services, said at a council meeting on Thursday the waste would be stored in sealed containers and removed in 24 hours. He added it would mean less smell and fewer a third of household rubbish in Brighton and Hove is food and drink waste, approximately 2.8kg per household each week, according to the said the food waste would be turned into compost for use in and around the city. Food waste collections are set to be extended to all households by March 2026. Kerbside collections will be made weekly, while communal food waste would be collected every day under the proposals.
The Sun
14-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Ex-royal gardener reveals the everyday kitchen staple to help give your flowers a boost in the garden this summer
A FORMER royal gardener has revealed the kitchen staple that can give your flowers a boost for summer. With temperatures set to remain high this weekend, it's the perfect time to get outside and get stuck in to your gardening tasks. 3 3 3 And although you may think that getting your garden in tip top shape will involve the use of pricey products, Jack Stooks, a former royal gardener, has revealed that a throwaway item has a multitude of uses in the garden. The gardener, who previously worked at the Highgrove Estate, revealed that leftover coffee grounds are great to use as compost. "They are great to use in compost, they break down well and add to the mix, so that's definitely something worth doing," he said, on behalf of Coffee Friend. "You can also add them directly to garden beds. "If you're producing a lot of grounds, they can even act a bit like a mulch and get worked into the soil.' Compost provides essential nutrients to plants, helping to give them a boost so they bloom bright in summer. However, Jack warned that since coffee is acidic it is not suitable for all types of plants. He explained that ericaceous plants - things like rhododendrons, azaleas, and hydrangeas prefer acidic soil, so will tolerate the coffee grounds well. However, he added that for plants that don't like acidic soil, coffee grounds are best avoided. The gardening whizz also revealed that coffee grounds can be used as a hack to deter squirrels. Grow your groceries - how to grow tomatoes from tomatoes! Simply place them around bird feeders and the strong smell of the grounds will keep the pests away. However, he added that the hack is messy as the grounds will turn to sludge once it rains. " Birds will walk through it, and that mess can then turn into a breeding ground for disease, which could spread among the bird population," he warned. Sharing an alternative tip, Jack advised using Slinky to keep squirrels at bay. 5 ways to save money in your garden Garden design experts at Lighting Legends have revealed the ways you can lower gardening costs. 1. Install a water butt Water butts are a large container that sits in your garden and collects rainwater. This water can then be used to water plants, top up ponds or water features and wash the patio and other garden furniture. The natural outdoor water could help you save money on your water bills as you are less likely to use a hose during the summer months. 2. Use solar powered or LED lighting Solar powered lights get their energy from the sunlight in the day so they can illuminate your garden at night. They're easy to install and are a great choice for keeping electricity bills low. LED lights are another option that are long lasting and energy efficient. 3. Grow your own salad and vegetables Growing your own salad and vegetables will not only save you money but it can also feel really rewarding. Things like lettuce, radishes, and spinach are all fairly easy to grow. 4. Upcycle waste and rubbish Get creative and start upcycling items instead of throwing them away. Use sticks from ice lollies as plant tags or turn old watering cans and wheelbarrows into planters instead of buying new pots. Once you get creative the ways to upcycle are endless. 5. Start composting Start composting your kitchen scraps like vegetable peelings and coffee grounds and combine them with garden waste such as leaves and grass clippings to create a nutrient rich compost. This could reduce your need to spend money on expensive fertilisers. 'You can simply thread it down the pole of your bird feeder, and when a squirrel tries to climb it, they simply can't, " he said. "It's a much cleaner and safer solution than spreading coffee grounds everywhere, just in case they get wet.' Jack previously revealed the one mistake gardeners should never make to their lawns, if they are keen to keep grass green and healthy. "When it gets too hot, what you definitely don't want to do is keep mowing the grass and keeping it as short as possible", he told Big Fat Links. "You want to forgo cutting for a week or two so that the grass keeps growing by itself, rather than depleting it. "Wait until you have some moisture back in the soil."
