HoundsGood: Chronicles of a Virtual Volunteer

I have received a lot of mail about eco friendly watches. There was an overwhelmingly positive response last time I discussed solar powered and battery free models. Another type of watch that falls into this category are kinetic watches. They recharge as you turn and move your wrist, and create their own electricity through your movement causing the quartz to oscillate.

This would be such a hit if you were to buy one and donate it to a fundraiser drawing for an environmental group or animal rescue. In fact, Saving Shelter Pets, Inc., is looking for donations for its online spring auction (hint hint). Right now, it seems that there are Seiko Kinetic Watches for both men and women, but proportionately, there aren’t as many styles that are specifically for ladies. However, in some styles, you do have a choice of ordering a band as small as six inches around to accommodate a more petite wrist.  Have you taken a kinetic watch for a spin? What did you think? Battery saver or sheer novelty?

I was watching a design show awhile back. I don’t remember which one. There was a composting toilet featured. It was in either a public place, or in a home where other random people were allowed to use it. I expected some people to say they thought it was weird, and some people say they appreciated the idea. I thought the interviewees were a little extreme, talking about how they felt so connected to the earth by using it or that their life was changed. At any rate, it got me wondering if this was even a practical idea. After all, the one on the show was built into a semi-outdoor bathroom that looked more like a natural habitat for something.

I have learned that there are two different concepts for composting toilets. The first, shown at left, features a central composting system. The toilet itself acts as a standard toilet, and then the waste water goes into this system. The second is a self contained toilet, shown below.

Both systems turn waste into compost, mainly oxidized salts.  The compost is very clean.  If I installed a  composting toilet, I most likely would not use compost on vegetables.  There is some literature that leads me to believe that human and canine waste is not the best or safest fertilizer.  The best fertilizer is still manure from herbivorous animals.  I might use it on the lawn, or more so, perhaps still toss it in the trash bin.  Some people might say that it sort of defeats the purpose if I was throwing it away.  On the contrary, it will still greatly reduce the water I use.  Some of the toilets use as little as one pint of water, and prevent the toilet from creating a strain on the public sewage system. The compost will take up a very negligible amount of space at the dump, and will just return to the soil.

Have you heard of these toilets?  If so, what do you think?

My neighbors are very concerned about recycling. Not only is there recycle bin full at the end of the week, but they are always looking for ways to reuse some of those bottles and papers a few times before they hit the bin. I have found that many people are in the neighborhood are the same way. I am far from radical, but what I notice the neighbors overlook is a few old fashioned ways to trim a few dollars off of the utility bills, such as conserving water. I am not talking about brushing your teeth dry, but water use for gardening and the kiddie pool.

Rain barrels are something that never crossed my mind until I lived somewhere that did not have running water for several days. The well was on an an electric pump, and when the power went out in the area, water was lost, too. I had filled the bathtub with water days prior to flush the toilet with, and there was still a water bottle or two at the store. Even so, just the suggestion of being without makes one thirsty. As Samuel Taylor Coleridge penned: “Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink.” The whole situation made me wonder how I could use a rain barrel to somehow benefit a bit more from the rainy season.

While rain barrel wouldn’t provide me with delicately filtered water to serve in champagne flutes, it has many important uses. I could water the lawn and garden with water I saved. Those tasks involve many gallons at time, so catching rain water would cut my water bill during the spring and summer. During a storm, I could use the water to flush the toilets. Washing the boys is something else I could use the water for.  The dogs usually are bathed in the stationary tub.  I could fill up a container from the rain barrel and use it to rinse them.  Of course, they are spoiled and like warm water, but I am sure they wouldn’t mind a tepid rinse, as long as they were compensated with being wrapped in a fluffy towel and held awhile.

Have you considered using a rain barrel?  Do you already use one?  Tell me what you think!