Tag Archive for: sustainability

bottled water maker kitchen appliance

Sustainable Curiosities and Novelties: Bottled Water Maker

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bottled water maker kitchen applianceI spotted this curiosity, the Fresh ‘n Pure Bottled Water Maker,  in the post-Christmas clearance carnage… and the yellow 50%-off clearance sticker signals that this oddball item has been shunned by Santa and will soon be deported to the Island of Misfit Toys.

Too bad, because I’m certain that even the most difficult-to-buy-for people on your gift list do not have one of these babies. With this mean-green contraption, you can have your bottled water and drink it too, powered by modern appliance-driven convenience! Read more

Aqua tube flushable toilet paper roll

Sustainable Curiosities and Novelties: Flushable Toilet Paper Tube

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Aqua tube flushable toilet paper roll

Aqua Tube Toilet Paper Tube: photographed in grass because it’s “green”

Consider the fate of the common Toilet Paper Tube: destined to be violently ripped and separated from its Toilet Paper child whom it has cradled and supported since the day of TP’s birth manufacture. While TP flushes merrily downstream headed for the rapture of sustainable biodegradation, the Mother Tube is forgotten, abandoned, tossed…then forced to travel alone, void of greenness, to a dark and desolate landfill populated by despised, low-life non-recyclables.

Well, no more. Because THIS Tube is flushable. THIS Tube shall not be left behind, but shall be safely flushed with its beloved TP, where they can biodegrade and return to our earth naturally. Together.

Many thanks to Constance Ward at Thought Leader Zone, who found this Sustainable Curiosity in her Marseille, France lodgings while attending World Water Forum 6. Somehow she knew we’d like it!

Note: This item has not been deemed flushable by Pat and Dan. Also, since we Don’t Flush the Baby Wipes, should we flush the tubes?

Sustainable Curiosities and Novelties: In which we present the oddball, assorted knick-knacks, inventions and ideas for more sustainable Earth occupation by humankind. Or something like that. Submissions welcome, contact the Thirsty in Suburbia “Curator” here.

Gayle Leonards wedding dress in basement storage

Eco-Absurdity: The Water-Soluble Wedding Dress

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What a dilemma: say you’re a greenie bride, and you’re tortured because, after your big day, there’s no recycling outlet for your wedding dress. And it’s not compostable, either! Reuse is out, as no one you know can fit into the overly (large, small, tall, short) size.

This is a complex problem requiring collaboration between great fashion and engineering minds and YES, a solution has been devised! Read more

Fact-o-Pic: The Green Green Grass of Home

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It’s hard to believe that just a few years ago,  many desert dwelling suburbanites viewed lush green lawns as de rigueur–a defining symbol of the American dream. Not any more, but still we cling to the entrenched vision of the “green, green grass of home.”

Today’s Fact-o-Pic* is drawn from a great article on Wall Street Journal online that covers the struggle of developers and homeowners from Colorado westward trying to wean themselves from the blades.
(*Fact-o-Pic FAQ: “Can I use this in my blog/newsletter/report/etc.? Why yes!)

Article: In Arid West, Thirsty Lawns Get Cut From Plans: Developers in Drought-Prone Regions Rethink the Dream Home to Conserve Water and Reduce Costs; Grass as a ‘Throw Rug’