If it's a freestanding unit, just plug it in.
What about the smell?New models address that. There's a compartment for a charcoal filter. They run about $5 each. Broan makes a model that has an odor-reduction disc that cycles through automatically for up to six months. But really, when people complain about the smell, just put a piece of newspaper over the trash. It's a simple fix, a little trick no company tells you about. That way, when the compacting plate comes down, it doesn't touch the trash, just newspaper, so it doesn't get dirty before it lifts back up.
What other accessories do I need?Just the plastic bags, which are about $1 each.
How good are compactors for the environment?Some people say that they're not green, that the trash is so tightly compacted that it slows decomposition. But they're great for compacting recyclables. Often, people will buy two compactors - one for trash and one for recyclables. Some areas charge for recycling by the bin, and you use fewer bins by compacting your bottles and cans. Not glass, though - I don't recommend crushing glass.
How much can I expect to spend?There's a Whirlpool model for $550. A high-level Electrolux is about $1,500.
Safety features?Oh yeah, once you hit start, you can't open it. No way a kid can open the door and put her brother in! Also, Broan has a model with a removable key - you can't even turn it on without the key. Kids can close it, but it won't start, so they can't throw in toys or glass bottles. Only you can start it, with your key.
Skeptical?I'd have to say that all the negative things you could think of are taken care of - they're not smelly, noisy, bulky. They're convenient. You take out the trash less, you contribute less to the landfill. But this is the coolest thing: If very single household in the U.S. had a trash compactor, our landfills could be reduced by 80 percent. Can you believe that? Huge. It's also a kitchen appliance that guys are really hip to, since taking out the trash is usually the guy's job.
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I had lunch at a fabulous cafe the other day in Trondheim, Norway...
Modern, innovative, ultraquiet, wall-mountable air purifier features six-stage filtration with customized filter and deodorization to purify the air you breathe. Unit comes with a five-year warranty and lifetime 24/7 tech support.
Maybe it's just Europe inspiring me, or maybe these are just SUPER COOL toilets...
I can't wait to figure out where I can put these fun & modern bird feeders...
You can walk around the house with a white glove. You can do your best to use all-natural cleaners. But, the truth is, a lot of contaminants in your home are not traceable by touch or smell. A lot of it lives in your furniture. Which is why, your best bet for a truly clean home is to go Pure. Pure, a Vancouver-based furniture company, makes contemporary guilt-free pieces using sustainable hardwoods, biodegradable latex rubber stuffing, organic cotton, renewable jute, natural fabrics free of pesticides, formaldehyde, heavy metals, and preservatives, and staples (yes, staples) made of recycled aluminum. True to its moniker (both inside and out), the wing chairs, daybeds, and sofas are made of clean lines and give you just enough flare to deflect cold vibes you would get from similarly basic, modern furniture.
Remember when it was completely normal to lug around a boombox? Families would have them for outdoor gatherings. Homies would sport them as accessories. Although size totally mattered (and it was the bigger the better), these portable sound systems were considered convenient. And, even though teased bangs and shoulder pads are long gone, the handheld radio remains the perfect beach or picnic take-along. If anything, they’ve gotten more convenient with time. They are smaller, lighter, and sans ‘D’ batteries. And, they are perfectly exemplified by Kikkerland’s Solar and Hand-Cranked AM/FM Radio. One minute’s worth of cranking gets you 30 minutes of play. And, a full solar charge gets you seven whole hours. We know you all have iPods (myself included). But during the boombox days, people listened to music together. And, it was great.
Chances are you have a digital camera. In fact, the technology has so effectively replaced film that Kodak has stopped making Kodachrome. Polaroid, too, has discontinued production of the instant film that made it famous. And with the end of film comes the end of negatives, of the physical presence of our photographs. Relatively few images are printed, and even fewer saved in a dedicated location. For better or worse, our memories are captured in pixels. How are you protecting yours?
