Low cost big savings: Your Composting ToiletTranscript copyright earththrives.com Carlyn: For about 500 dollars you can build yourself a two bay moldering toilet. Jonathan: Yup it would definitely I think–so for the materials–yea, if its part of an existing house. Carlyn: Does it save money? Jonathan: Yea your expenses are just about done once you’ve built this. You might need to invest in a little bit of wood chips which is the ingredient that you add while using it. You can...
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What’s In it for Me? Transcript copyright earththrives.com Carlyn: If I was just on the fence trying to decide whether to get a compost toilet–even if I wasn’t going to build it myself but would have someone else build it for me–what would you say to me to get off the fence and decide to do it? Jonathan: Well I think I would encourage you to listen to the wisdom of the people that have lived in a very sustainable–and I like to use the word elegant–a very sensible way...
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Ventilation: Key Ingredient for Composting Toilets Transcript copyright earththrives.com Jonathan: There is a need to have directed flow of air through it for odor control and for moisture control. The moisture of the heat, the pile, it’s called is needed to be controlled. It can’t get too moist or it doesn’t molder; it just kind of gets sticky. Air is the friend of any biological process and it needs air that the ventilation system gives it. That is done with plastic pipes: 4-inch plastic...
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Posted by SerahRose on 12-5-07 in Composting Toilet | Comments Off on Video Transcript: Do You Need Town Permission for a Composting Toilet?
Do You Need Town Permission for a Composting Toilet? Transcript copyright earththrives.com Carlyn: Do you need any kind of particular permit to build this? Jonathan: Well, permits depends on your particular state and town in Massachusetts. Some states, it’s just a state issue and whether they allow them or don’t, they have that regulation. In Massachusetts everything is very much determined by the town, but as I understand it the state law enables the town to regulate these things. Our town...
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GIANT PUPPET Maya Apfelbaum, a Greenfield-based multimedia artist, performer, director, and educator/activist created Sunny Green, the Solar Dancer, the giant solar-paneled puppet in our Spread the Word clip. The giant dancing puppet, also known as Sol Ver, has small flexible solar panels mounted on its decorative rays. These panels and other solar devices power the small LED lights and rechargeable batteries on the puppet's necklace. Sunny Green was created with partial funding from the...
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THE BASICSCoal Fly Ash (from CSI Section 03 05 13) Coal fly ash is a waste product of coal-fired power plants and can be used as a substitute for some of the portland cement in a concrete mixture-up to 60% is common, but even higher levels of substitution are possible. It makes the concrete stronger and gives it improved workability compared with a conventional mix. The environmental advantages include reducing the use of high-embodied-energy portland cement and reusing an otherwise landfilled...
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It is the mission of RDI to advance the right of all people in Franklin County (MA) and the North Quabbin region to occupy environmentally responsible, energy efficient, affordable housing and to improve economic independence. Further, RDI strives to promote environmental awareness, and to operate in a manner that is respectful of the rural character of our region. RDI works with residents and communities to expand affordable single-family and multi-family housing opportunities. RDI...
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Posted by SerahRose on 11-12-07 in Latest | Comments Off on Spread the Word!
{seyretpic id=14 align=left} Our video, Spread the Word, is a little something to help us promote what Earth Thrives offers the online community. But we can’t do it without you. There are three ways you can share it: 1. Visit the video gallery by clicking on the image to the left. You’ll get sent directly to Spread the Word which you can download. 2. Add the following direct link to your website or blog to send your friends over here to watch Spread the Word:...
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It's one of the easiest ways to conserve energy, lower your utility bills, and keep your house from heating up: hang your laundry out to dry. But did you know that many communities ban laundry lines? Winnipeg Free Press published this story about speaking out for Laundry Line Rights. Ever since dryer sheets took the place of the summer breeze, clotheslines seemed to have gone the way of the porch radio — quaint traditions of previous generations, now confined to black-and-white...
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Piyali, who appears in our Mow Don't Grow series wrote: “Originally from Calcutta, India, I was actually once a lover of city life. Years back, I came to the US to study English literature, but at this point in my life, sustainability and fun are my passions. I now avoid cities like the plague and live in a small town in western Massachusetts with my (former farmer) husband and six-year-old son. I'm taking courses toward a nursing degree and am quite content muddling around at...
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