How sustainable are you?

With the world slowly turning to 💩

What daily practices do you do to help create less waste and make the most out of available resources?

I often walk or longboard to most small errands in my area, I use minimal electricity, a stainless steel water bottle so I don't have to use so much plastic and constantly fill my recycle bin instead of the trash bin. Usually picking up trash in nature, even if I didn't place it there.

These are just some small things I do that actually help in the long run when done by a large amount of people. What practices do you do to ensure your home has a future? If you don't practice anything, find something of interest to you.

For those who like to bicker: what's your stance on allowing the world to go to 💩? Is there anything you can provide other than "well not everyone else is doing it, so why should I?"

The earth is our home! A beautiful one. We need to stop living off of it as a parasite, and treat it as a living being. It gave us life. Lets return the favor.

I do some of the same things. I live right in town, so no car unless I'm getting on the highway. I try to reuse a much as possible, and recycle what I can't. When I get out of school some friends and I want to get a house. We plan to invest and make it self-sustainable.

The plastic bags turn into nothing after about 3 years in house environment, I was pretty upset about it when I discovered that my 'neatly packed' projects in my workshop turned into 'pile of dust' packed

* UK Tesco bags.

._. I uhh... burn my trash sometimes... and uhh.. idk...

This is a little frowned upon but I dumpster dive, hardcore. It's so disgusting what some company's throw out, on any given night I find 40-50 bread loaves that most of the time aren't even day old, pounds of fresh fruit and veggies, assorted cereals and box meals, etc. These companies often throw them out as damaged or just a day after they reach their "sell by" date, which is alright, but they go straight to the dumpster, not to shelters or the homeless/needy.
 I take my phone out ever night, check for recalls on all foods I find, and rarely that's the case for them being thrown out. It's not even always food, I've found; 4 air mattresses unopened and new, 3 food dehydrators new, 2 crock pots new, 2 food processors new, assorted pans all in original packaging, and that's just in the last three months. I've only been doing this for 6 or so months, and I rarely talk about it because to the publics eyes its taboo.
However if I were to estimate per month I've cut at least 150$ off grocery bills, and often get more than I need and donate it to shelters. I've never gotten food poisoning or sick once.

This is a little frowned upon but I dumpster dive, hardcore. It's so disgusting what some company's throw out, on any given night I find 40-50 bread loaves that most of the time aren't even day old, pounds of fresh fruit and veggies, assorted cereals and box meals, etc. These companies often throw them out as damaged or just a day after they reach their "sell by" date, which is alright, but they go straight to the dumpster, not to shelters or the homeless/needy.

There was this famous and big case in Poland, where a company went bust because they were forced to retrospectively pay tax on bread which they gave away to charity over years. I don't think the law is so bad in the US, but you are getting there.

Quote from: Vyse on May 15, 2013, 09:47:46 AM

This is a little frowned upon but I dumpster dive, hardcore. It's so disgusting what some company's throw out, on any given night I find 40-50 bread loaves that most of the time aren't even day old, pounds of fresh fruit and veggies, assorted cereals and box meals, etc. These companies often throw them out as damaged or just a day after they reach their "sell by" date, which is alright, but they go straight to the dumpster, not to shelters or the homeless/needy.

There was this famous and big case in Poland, where a company went bust because they were forced to retrospectively pay tax on bread which they gave away to charity over years. I don't think the law is so bad in the US, but you are getting there.

You are completely wrong, in fact the U.S government is willing to give tax reductions on donated food.
U.S. Congress enacted Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code in 1976 to encourage donations by allowing C corporations to earn an enhanced tax deduction for donating selected surplus property, including food.

The Code provides that wholesome food that is properly saved, donated to an approved agency and properly receipted is eligible for an enhanced tax deduction. This enhanced deduction is equal to ½ of the donated food’s appreciated value, with the limitation that the total deduction cannot exceed twice the donated food’s basis cost. This incremental tax deduction is calculated from the donated food’s fair market value and basis food and labor cost. The IRS may challenge the value of donated food.

Fair market value (FMV) continues to be evaluated by the IRS on a company by company basis. Congress’ intention to encourage this type of donation would be enhanced by codifying an important Tax Court ruling regarding FMV determinations.

This is a little frowned upon but I dumpster dive, hardcore. It's so disgusting what some company's throw out

You should see what some people try to recycle

Quote from: Piotr on May 15, 2013, 10:00:18 AM

Quote from: Vyse on May 15, 2013, 09:47:46 AM

This is a little frowned upon but I dumpster dive, hardcore. It's so disgusting what some company's throw out, on any given night I find 40-50 bread loaves that most of the time aren't even day old, pounds of fresh fruit and veggies, assorted cereals and box meals, etc. These companies often throw them out as damaged or just a day after they reach their "sell by" date, which is alright, but they go straight to the dumpster, not to shelters or the homeless/needy.

There was this famous and big case in Poland, where a company went bust because they were forced to retrospectively pay tax on bread which they gave away to charity over years. I don't think the law is so bad in the US, but you are getting there.

You are completely wrong

Another words, you call a lie on my statement

Can you donate food past the expiry date?

Quote from: Vyse on May 15, 2013, 10:12:13 AM

Quote from: Piotr on May 15, 2013, 10:00:18 AM

Quote from: Vyse on May 15, 2013, 09:47:46 AM

This is a little frowned upon but I dumpster dive, hardcore. It's so disgusting what some company's throw out, on any given night I find 40-50 bread loaves that most of the time aren't even day old, pounds of fresh fruit and veggies, assorted cereals and box meals, etc. These companies often throw them out as damaged or just a day after they reach their "sell by" date, which is alright, but they go straight to the dumpster, not to shelters or the homeless/needy.

There was this famous and big case in Poland, where a company went bust because they were forced to retrospectively pay tax on bread which they gave away to charity over years. I don't think the law is so bad in the US, but you are getting there.

You are completely wrong

Another words, you call a lie on my statement

Can you donate food past the expiry date?

The Emerson Act provides protection for food and grocery products that meet all quality and labeling standards imposed by federal, state and local laws and regulations even though the food may not be "readily marketable due to appearance, age, freshness, grade, size, surplus or other conditions."
Don't put words in my mouth please. I don't believe you lied, I'm sure there was a case in Poland but we do have laws protecting donors, both individual and cooperations, I believe you are simply grossly misinformed and stuck on your ways.

Quote from: Piotr on May 15, 2013, 11:11:02 AM

Quote from: Vyse on May 15, 2013, 10:12:13 AM

Quote from: Piotr on May 15, 2013, 10:00:18 AM

Quote from: Vyse on May 15, 2013, 09:47:46 AM

This is a little frowned upon but I dumpster dive, hardcore. It's so disgusting what some company's throw out, on any given night I find 40-50 bread loaves that most of the time aren't even day old, pounds of fresh fruit and veggies, assorted cereals and box meals, etc. These companies often throw them out as damaged or just a day after they reach their "sell by" date, which is alright, but they go straight to the dumpster, not to shelters or the homeless/needy.

There was this famous and big case in Poland, where a company went bust because they were forced to retrospectively pay tax on bread which they gave away to charity over years. I don't think the law is so bad in the US, but you are getting there.

You are completely wrong

Another words, you call a lie on my statement

Can you donate food past the expiry date?

The Emerson Act provides protection for food and grocery products that meet all quality and labeling standards imposed by federal, state and local laws and regulations even though the food may not be "readily marketable due to appearance, age, freshness, grade, size, surplus or other conditions."
Don't put words in my mouth please. I don't believe you lied, I'm sure there was a case in Poland but we do have laws protecting donors, both individual and cooperations, I believe you are simply grossly misinformed and stuck on your ways.

You have some interesting law indeed, let me clarify: I don't think the law is so bad in the US, but you are getting there, in general

I would say that you are absolutely wrong that I'm misinformed, although it is true that I'm stuck on my ways: anything that is incompatible with iMtG Law is a bad law and you do have tons of that in the US.

The world isn't as black and white as you believe it to be Mr.Piotr, you need to factor in the grey. I may abid by the U.S' laws, as well as imtg law, but that doesn't mean I don't see flaws in either. However we are veering off ops guided course for this thread, lets get back to that. 

I used to dumpster dive. My biggest haul was a ton of books (we stopped counting at 400, and that was a little less than half) that Barnes and Noble tossed out. I was dumbfounded as to why they'd throw them away instead of donating them to a good cause. Books don't expire like food does. Tragic.

I also used to dumpster dive Krispy Kreme. Every night they throw out bags and bags of donuts that didnt sell. It was a goldmine for my poor college roommates and me.

The world isn't as black and white as you believe it to be Mr.Piotr, you need to factor in the grey.

Believe me, I'm the last person you want to accuse of that, kind sir

Can I have an example flaw in iMtG Law, please?

I used to dumpster dive. My biggest haul was a ton of books (we stopped counting at 400, and that was a little less than half) that Barnes and Noble tossed out. I was dumbfounded as to why they'd throw them away instead of donating them to a good cause. Books don't expire like food does. Tragic.

I also used to dumpster dive Krispy Kreme. Every night they throw out bags and bags of donuts that didnt sell. It was a goldmine for my poor college roommates and me.

I hit up a local Krispy Kreme and Brueggers for delicious bagals, as well as a little ceasers, but I have to show self restraint with how much is available or I'd be a perfectly round specimen lol.

As to Piotr, if as a (theroretical) father my wife died, and my little girl asked where she was, not understanding the concept of heaven (in this case an idea or state of mind, I don't believe in the place all that much) I'd tell her shed gone away for a while. This would be a lie. If I did tell her that she was dead and shed never see her again, I'd still be breaking a law, by stealing her innocence.
  If (again all theretical), a gunman held my wife at gunpoint and gave me the option to either take his life or he would take hers, I would have to break four laws.
These are just some examples.