Collective Weight

Every so often a notion occurs.

And I think I am getting to an age where it's best to pop it down somewhere as my mind these days is so filled with competing thoughts, and evidently less able to recall them, a written record seems a wise precaution.

I was clearing out some junk, as the proportion that has remained junk as opposed to getting converted into useful 'Junkk' is still, sadly, skewed towards the divorce courts.

Amongst a lot that really has to go, and doesn't look like inspiring much now if it hasn't already, is a fair old selection of cardboard, especially in the form of Pizza and Cereal boxes. Still great for filing, but... there's really only so much filing one needs now, especially as that little box just over there is storing 500GB paperlessly, with an even smaller one next to it in reassuring back-up, with the cloud as belt and braces.

The loo rolls are staying, as I have a pretty nifty scheme for these, involving an old drill stand I located (see if you can guess what may be going down there before I unveil this idea).

I think the Tetrapaks have to go, too. I may keep the spout/caps, but they are a lot of bulk with little second use so far inspired.

Which brings me to the cans. Steel ones not so many as we seem to be getting fresher and fresher in our diet, and while I can see some value in the lipped variety connecting together to form tubing, they are darn near uncrushable and hog space.

Which brings me to the aluminiums. For sure we have a lovely haul of ring pulls to conjure with, but the cans themselves? 

I had been simply crushing them to save space, but even this has mounted up.

Cue... the notion.

On our own, over time, we have created a fair old collection, and in crushed form the sacks are barely liftable. But if I simply pop them in the recycling, I am sure the bin men will grumble but their bosses will be thrilled. Pre-processed raw metal!

A while ago I did ask around at what point it all got financially viable to 'the industry' and, hence, in turn, the individual.

A few questions arose and still need clarifying...

1) What quantity makes a delivery (by me) viable?

2) What more makes a collection (by them) viable?

Simple stuff, as I am thinking of creating a Junkk.com master page with a chart. Something like:

RECYCLATE - Delivery/ton - Collection/ton - Value/ton - Local connection
Steel______l____________l____________l_________l_____________
Alumimium_l____________l____________l_________l_____________
Glass______l____________l____________l_________l_____________
Plastic_____l____________l____________l_________l_____________
Textiles____l____________l____________l_________l_____________

(see how Blogger formatting messes with that between post creation and print)

This can then be simply cut and pasted as data comes in on a postcode by postcode area basis.

I see potential because, presuming any community can find its own storage area, while one person may struggle in a sensible timeframe to build up enough to make it worthwhile, many pooling resources might yet see enough to profit in the effort.

IDEA REQUIRED - Bottle/Can Combo

Sometimes, things just seem to 'fit together'.

This is such an instance.

As stated, no idea what use it may be... yet... but that's the beauty of this whole deal: one may well yet be suggested.

Trying to figure out the best way to link combo ideas on the site, but I will be posting them here and, in turn, twitter.

PROF'S POSER - Cans of worms?

I have certainly wondered this myself, so the question is worth sharing:

Green and confused: tin cans

The answer, however, does not start well. I frankly don't worry too much about some poor schmoe with their bottle of Fairy Liquid and scrubbing brush.

What my eye then alights upon is this: 'Also relatively clean tins make recycling easier and cheaper'. Ah.

Which follows: 'all tins that go for recycling pass through a washing, heating and crunching process which eliminates contamination from food and other products,'

Er... enviROI? What about the cumulative costs (to public pocket and planet) of all those individual sinks using water and/or heated at that? Versus a single, industrial system?

I don't know, so this Prof's Poser remains.

I do however note the conclusion: Recycling companies report that some people put their used tins in the dishwasher: that’s a bit extreme and a waste of energy. A good rinse should be enough.

Indeed. Of course, as one who has kept all his cans for years (well, the ones that slot into each other... I have a plan), I can confirm a wee splash of well-directed water as soon as the can is emptied and the food debris still soft, works a treat with all bar Stagg's chilli.

Can Can.... er... 't?

The internet can be useful. Especially at putting you right quickly.

Just now I shared a reuse 'tip' from the site, which has proven quite popular, on another site seeking such.

It's a lid from a cream pot that clips on larger food cans, as a substitute for the bought variety.

Seems I may have committed a boo-boo.

Here I was interested in reuse, when 'elf & safety might trump that.

Here's the Food Standards view on it.

I think, for our purposes, we'll stick with the 1/2 day window in the can. We've done a lot worse.