Category: other
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Soft Plastic Recycling Australia: Reuse Recover Rethink
The best way of recycling plastic is to have not used it in the first place. 🙂
However while it remains part of everyday life we should try to recycle as much of it as we can.
In Australia we can’t put soft plastic bags, wraps, packaging etc in our council waste bins. I thought they couldn’t be recycled at all.
Turns out they tend to jam the machinery we use here and they get removed from the line during the sorting step. Destination? Landfill.
So what can we do?
I try to reuse my plastic bags at least once. I wash and dry them if required.
I collect soft packaging in box that I keep in my shed and then I visit my local Coles Supermarket.
Many Coles Supermarkets are collection points for the REDcycle program. They recycle soft plastic and make it available for the manufacturing of park benches, decking, bollards, signs, exercise equipment and the like.
They take:
I think it is a great start,
PK
Related Links:
- see more Reuse Recover Rethink posts here
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MeatMatters: Australian Chicken
In Australia we are relatively lucky when it comes to the standard and practices of our domestic chicken meat industry. I am not saying that all industry operators are equal/perfect nor that greedy maximum-profit driven farmers and marketers don’t exist. However, reading about what goes on in other countries makes me sad.
As always in modern life there is so much room for improvement but we have to remember that:
- There is a growing awareness that the cheapest chicken might not have had the best life and might not be in our health’s best interest. I hope as a nation we can give feedback to the industry that free range chicken should be the norm (above and beyond minimum compliance with the label).
- The commercial rearing of chickens is never going to fully overlap with the idyllic life of the chickens you might have in your backyard. The latter’s eggs are going to taste amazing no doubt if you are feeding them a variety of kitchen scraps and they are eating bugs. That said there needs to be a humane balance.
The feature image of this post is of a happy well cared for chicken on an organic free range chicken farm in the south-west of Western Australia called Gale Force Farm (not a paid testimony). They have made the noble, counter-intuitive (says the bottom dollar) investment to farm organic free range meat and eggs. Getting the organic certification was not easy and from talking to them and people who know them I feel they are the real deal. Their hard work is beginning to be rewarded and appreciated.
I wouldn’t dream of telling you how to spend your money as I too have to watch every dollar. However, personally I will give something else up where I can so I can buy at the very least free range chicken and eggs. In a good month I also source organic chicken and eggs because I feel it is the right thing to do by our chicken, farmers and the environment.
Thank you,
PK
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ReuseRecover: Jam Jar Screw Containers
My father in law put me onto this great tip. Using jam jars and the like to store nuts, bolts etc etc in your shed this way has so many benefits.
Not only do you get to give a second life to a single life container (albeit a recyclable one) but you also make use of the underside of your shed shelves. Every shed owner wants more storage :).
Simply wash your jar, drill two holes through the lid and into the bottom of the shelf. Use short screws to attach the lid and hey presto you have a new storage container.
Tips:
- The holes in the lid should be spaced apart and not in the center so that the lid doesn’t spin when you try and twist the jar off to get to the contents.
- Leave enough room between jars to allow you to see the jars several rows behind. I even alternated the alignment of my rows to improve visibility.
- Put often used items in the first row and less used in the rear rows.
Enjoy,
PK
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GoodCritters: Daddy Long Legs Spider
These delicate spiders get an automatic entry into the GoodCritters club :).
They munch on the munchers (BadCritters) and keep to themselves otherwise. Legend has it they can’t bite humans.
Species:
Identification:
Benefits:
These little guys munch on other insects such as mosquitoes, other spiders and slaters (woodlice).
Encouragement:
As usual keep insecticides and pesticides to a minimum. After that just ignore them and let them do their thing.
More Resources:
- Australian Museum australianmuseum.net.au
- See more GoodCritters here
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BadCritters: Small Pointed Snail
I don’t see many examples of this very shy BadCritter in my garden but I suspect there are lots of them hidden in the leaf litter. This one was munching on some radish leaves and his friends will like all of your leafy green edibles. Shame they are so cute but they are my radishes 🙂 .
Species: Cochlicella barbara
Identification:
Adults are only a few millimetres long.
Damage:
I think they are only a minor problem. I think they eat more detritus than greens.
Control:
Visual inspection of the top and bottom of leaves and removing them is generally sufficient. I squish them and push them into the soil so their shells are added to the soil mix.
More Resources:
- See more BadCritters here
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BadCritters: Tiger Moth Caterpillar
The caterpillar of this BadCritter will munch your salad greens just as happily as your non-edibles. Their hairy bodies have given them the nickname ‘woolly bears’.
I picked the caterpillar below of my snow pea plants and after its photo shoot it got dispatched 🙂 .
Bit of a shame as they are amazing to watch and the moth is attractive too.
Species: Ardices glatignyi
Identification:
Damage:
The caterpillars are voracious munchers of many trees, shrubs and vegetables found in the home garden.
Control:
Visual inspection of the top and bottom of leaves and removing any caterpillars is generally sufficient. You can buy traps and insecticides but I have never needed to use them.
More Resources:
- Check out this great resource http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/arct/glatig.html
- See more BadCritters here
Youtube:
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PK Reviews: 25cm Victorinox Swibo Rigid Butchers Knife
I have to say that as a home cook, that buys meat in bulk including whole primals, I love this knife. As soon as you hold the handle you can tell it is not a general purpose kitchen knife. The grip is suited for slicing thick pieces of meat or through joints and not for slicing vegetables. This makes it excellent for the task it was designed for.
Turn the knife to the vertical hold and you have a knife perfect for following the line of bones and meats’ natural seams. It is rigid but I found it just fine for skinning and removing fat and silver.
I am an awful “butcher” but this exceptionally sharp and well designed knife helps me get the job done with minimal wastage.
This is not a paid post. I bought mine online from http://www.kitchenwarehouse.com.au for $59.99 AUD with free delivery to my local store.
Product Reviewed:
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25cm Victorinox Swibo Rigid Butchers Knife
Pros:
- Tough carbon steel perfect for slicing (Rockwell rating of 56-58).
- Holds an edge for a long time.
- Moulded nylon handle that is easy to clean and doesn’t hold meat particles.
- Curved end design for following seams.
- It comes in a plastic sleeve that I use to store it in.
Cons:
- Being a novice and not having anything to compare it too I can’t find any
The Verdict:
Great product at a reasonable price. Suitable for commercial environments and home butchery.
I hope this review helps you and feel free to send me any comments if you want to add to it.
PK
Related Links:
- go to all reviews
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FarmersMarket: Manning – Perth
Whilst I love visiting any Farmers Market, this one is my family’s regular Saturday morning destination. We have been going since it opened its doors on the grounds of Clontarf College, Manning, a few years ago.
You will be hard pressed to find a weekend market that has such a wide selection of produce, services and commitment to local producers. This market is so well frequented by people and their furry friends that the organisers put on friendly staff to help you get a good parking spot and provide information. All you have to do is shop and socialise in the beautiful surrounds.
The stalls are arranged along the perimeter of a long rectangle with seating and the odd stall in the middle.
Furry visitors can go anywhere on a lead and there is even a special eating are reserved for people and their pets. You could even have a snack and a coffee while pooch has a bath :).
Here are just some of the items and services on offer:
- Fresh produce at great prices and that stays fresh all week because it isn’t sitting in transport or a cool room
- Food to eat or take home:
- Gozlemes
- Homemade pasta
- Fresh bread
- Pizza
- French patisserie treats
- Coffee
- Italian food
- German Bratwurst from Elmars
- Spit roasts
- Organic juice bars
- Burgers
- Handmade wood art
- Knife sharpening
- Dog washing
- Leather bags
- Worm farming help and products
- Organic butchers
- Cheese makers and goat dairy products
- Fresh eggs (chicken and goose)
- Honey
- Marinated seafood
- Fishmongers
- Hot sauces
- Olives and other marinated produce
- Plants and seedlings including hard to get native species
- Live entertainment
Here are some details from the website and then some of my photos:
Address:
Clontarf Campus(opposite the Chem Centre)
Curtin University
Map 295 Manning Road, Waterford.Call us on 0417-188-363
Website: http://farmersmarketonmanning.com.au/contact/
Email us at david@farmersmarketonmanning.com.au
Related Links:
- See my other Farmers Markets posts here
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Business: Gale Force Farm Organic Free Range Eggs
I am definitely going to be adding to this post with more details soon about the amazing people at https://www.facebook.com/galeforcefarm/ but I wanted to share with you some photos I just took of their organic free range eggs.
They taste as good as they look by the way :).
Please note this is not a paid post and I am doing it to spread the word about a great south-west Australian farm (Margaret River) doing right by their livestock :).
If you live in the Perth metro region, please ask your local shop to stock them.
About:
Gale Force Farm is a family run farm located in Metricup- part of the Margaret River Region. We are producing Certified Organic Free Range Eggs. We will look to expand to include Organic Lambs and Fruit and Vegetables.
We aim to be self-sustainable, and our property is off the grid- with power generated by our solar power system.Contact Details:
Address: Gale Road, Metricup, Western Australia, AustraliaEmail: galeforcefarm@gmail.comPhone: 0488 203 466Related Links:
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FarmersMarket: Palmyra – Perth
Farmers Markets are not about how long it takes to walk them or the number of stalls. The farmers market in Palmyra, Western Australia, is small compared to others but it has the main requirement for being successful, a community vibe.
I am not a local to the area so when I visited I took a moment to observe the smiles as people welcomed the regulars but also made me feel like I was one too. There is good food, a play area for children and even a special area for our furry friends. Of course there are the essential stalls providing arts and crafts, fresh produce, organic meat and local interest information.
Some details from their website and then some photos :).
PH: 0458 223 664
Web: http://www.westernfarmersmarkets.com.au/
Address: 60 McKimmie Rd, Palmyra WA 6157
Opening Times:Sundays 8:00am – 12pm What
Farm Fresh/Organic/Spray Free fruit and vegetables, cold pressed juice, raw health treats, curry, organic olive oil, seafood, honey, pickles, preserves, organic bread, pastries, cupcakes, eggs, assorted pasta, breakfast burgers, crepes, gozleme, fair-trade coffee, entertainment, cut flowers, native seedlings and much more.
Palmyra Western Farmers Market is a genuine growers market, bringing fresh food direct from the farm gate to you. The person who grew, bred, caught, pickled, smoked or baked the product will be the person you meet at their stall.
Remember
Cash only and BYO shopping bags.
Dogs not permitted in the market areas, but tie them up with their mates at the “Dogs Bar”.
Related Links:
- More posts about Farmers Markets can be seen here
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