Tip #152 – Close your refrigerator door
fridge
Ensure that your refrigerator’s seals are fully functional and don’t leave the refrigerator doors open for too long. Refrigerators turn themselves off when they become cool to save energy, but when the air inside them warms, they switch on.
So if your seals allow warm air to enter your refrigerator, it will stay on and waste a great deal of electricity. Anything else that is meant to maintain a certain temperature while sealed shut also deserves to have it’s seals checked, and it shouldn’t be left open.
This tip was written by Nicholas from kompulsa.com/kae
Tip #151 – Use sustainable bamboo kitchen-ware
Bamboo Bowl by Bambu
If you want some eco-friendly food bowls, then these eco-friendly bamboo bowls are fantastic. The bowls are made from 100% organically-grown bamboo, glued with a non-toxic water-based adhesive, coated in a natural lacquer (derived from the cashew nut tree), and lined with food-safe polyurethane.
The bowls come as a set of 4 bowls in 4 different colours: Blue Curaçao, Bubble Gum, Kiwi and Mango. Each bowl is approximately 2.5″ (6.25 cm) tall and 4.5″ (11.25 cm) in diameter. The bowls are handmade by a company called Bambu in Vietnam, which practises all the values of a fairtrade company, namely a commitment to health and safety, environmental protection and fair labour practice.
Source: iGreenSpot
Tip #150 – Eat free-range chicken eggs
Free-Range Chicken Eggs
You’ve probably heard that free-range chickens are kept in much better conditions compared to battery hens or closed-range farmed chickens. However, did you know that the egg produced by free-range chickens is actually much healthier too?
According to Mother Earth News, free range eggs contain:
- 33% less cholesterol
- 25% less saturated fat
- 66% more more vitamin A
- Two times more omega-3 fatty acids
- Three times more vitamin E
- Seven times more beta carotene
I’m unsure of the reason why there’s such a difference with free-range eggs. I believe it’s due to the chicken’s being less stressed with their greater freedom. Additionally, the chickens peck and eat insects from the ground, adding to their diet. Perhaps the fact that the chickens have plenty of space to walk around and get exercise too? That could be a reason for the reduced level of fat in the eggs.
You could always rescue some ex-battery hens and have 2-3 in your garden. You’ll have fresh eggs whenever you want them then!
Tip #149 – Compost horse manure before use
Horse Manure
If you have too much horse manure, but you still want to use it all, then consider composting it. Not only will you reduce its odour and volume, you’ll also reduce the number of flies in the garden too.
Composting is an exothermic process (i.e. generates heat), which is typically enough to kill off fly eggs and fly larvae. If the larvae are left to mature, you’d be inundated with flies. Composting will break down the organic fibre in the manure, and therefore the resulting compost will be much smaller in volume, taking up less space.
Another great advantage of composting is that the process converts the nitrogen in the manure into a less water soluble form. This means the compost will contain a form of nitrogen that is less likely to be washed away by rain. More nitrogen means bigger plants!