Green Campsite Challenge

[Debbiefromtucson]

Uh-oh....Need help answering a question from my "well-trained" desert kiddos.. We were talking at dinner tonite about how this year everyone was going to be as "green" as possible.. I was talking about how we would be using regular plates to wash instead of paper etc... Matthew questioned my logic...  The paper is recyclable, the water is not... He recited a statistic to me that they have posted in all restaurants here about how many gallons of water it takes to wash one glass.... And, they have heard me say over and over and over again "we live in a desert, don't waste water."  So, anyone got statistics I can give back about what is better? paper that can be recycled or using precious water to wash the plates....

[Debbiefromtucson]

Anyone have any EASY plans that Alex can use to build a solar oven and/or a solar bubble blower...?

[Courtney]

Now here's a challenge...

What's a good way to put to use the chemical-laden nalgene bottles we won last year from new belgium (and the other 10 we all have)?

Ready, set, go...

Amanda

Put solar powered lights in them 

[Courtney]

Anyone have any EASY plans that Alex can use to build a solar oven and/or a solar bubble blower...?

I vote for the bubbles.  Don't know how, but that's my vote.

[TheBanjomatic]

Uh-oh....Need help answering a question from my "well-trained" desert kiddos.. We were talking at dinner tonite about how this year everyone was going to be as "green" as possible.. I was talking about how we would be using regular plates to wash instead of paper etc... Matthew questioned my logic...  The paper is recyclable, the water is not... He recited a statistic to me that they have posted in all restaurants here about how many gallons of water it takes to wash one glass.... And, they have heard me say over and over and over again "we live in a desert, don't waste water."  So, anyone got statistics I can give back about what is better? paper that can be recycled or using precious water to wash the plates....

Hmm... good question. I can't give you anything specific, except to say that dishwashers tend to be pretty inefficient in that they throw lots of water at the problem rather than scrubbing. Restaurants in particular have the problem of needing clean dishes almost constantly... so they go through a lot of water and electricity to provide clean dishes.

Its important to look at all steps in the chain though, because one other detail that is missing is that the process of creating paper plates from trees uses a very very large amount of water (and bleach and other chemicals). This process uses much more waste water than what you'd get from washing dishes, and the waste water is potentially harmful as well. To quote a random website i found: "The pulp is washed and bleached, both stages requiring thousands of gallons of clean water. After this, coloring is added to more water, and is then combined in a ratio of 1 part pulp to 400 parts water to finally make paper. The pulp/water "brew" is dumped onto a web of bronze wires, the water showers through, leaving the pulp, which, in turn, is rolled into finished paper." Additionally you can throw in the environmental impact of the transportation of paper plates both two the store, and to the landfill (while the regular dishes also have an associated transportation impact, its a less frequent purchase by a significant order of magnitude).

In addition, you can make your dish washing go further. My suggestion would be to wash your dishes in bulk all at once when you run out and fill up a basin of some sort to scrub them down in with environmentally friendly soap, that way you get the most out of the water that you do use.

Anything I'm missing?

Adam

[Debbiefromtucson]

Thank you Adam.... That was exactly what I needed for my little factoid seekers...
 

[amandalynne]

Ooh, I like the lantern idea from the website Kym posted, and of course Courtney's idea of the lights being solar-powered is even better. I'm gonna try it!

[Jake n Wanda Ziller]

Yeah, I remember telling my mom that washing dishes wastes water. I'd have to go with the manufacturing process for paper plates uses a lot more water and energy than washing a few dishes by hand, then there's the energy for transportation, to the store, from the store, and to the landfill or compost pile.

 Listening to: "Fire On The Bayou", The Funky Meters -- Fiyo At The Filmore

[landshark]

Yeah, I remember telling my mom that washing dishes wastes water. I'd have to go with the manufacturing process for paper plates uses a lot more water and energy than washing a few dishes by hand, then there's the energy for transportation, to the store, from the store, and to the landfill or compost pile.

Water that is used for washing cars, dishes,  etc., gets reused, either by filtration or if the water is dumped out on the ground it goes back into the subsurface water tables.

So I would wash a dish and use a cloth napkin, I use real silverwear. All washable and way better that eating on paper plates.

Just my .02 cents

[Green Bonnie]

I have to say it is has been very exciting to read this thread!! 
The discussion here reallys shows how motivated y'all are to be a part of helping create a sustainable festival. 

I was with Planet Bluegrass last year as an Intern, and I'm back this summer. I was the one with the survey that many of you happily answered about Planet Bluegrass' Green Programs

I'm really looking forward to seeing what y'all come up with for the Campsite Challenge, and thrilled that y'all have gotten on board for the Challenge!!

take care,

Bonnie

 Listening to: Crush by The Dave Matthews Band

[Debbiefromtucson]

SHOOT! Just realized something while I was starting to pack.. I didnt plan on bringing any water bottles with us since I was  planning on buying those cool new ones that PB has .... BUT, I guess they will not be for sale until the store opens correct???? 

[itsRick]

the answer to the dishes problem is simple! food on-a-stick! now if I can just get that soup on-a-stick recipe right?
as for cups, drink from the bottle (see Mom all those years you made me stop drinking milk that way.)
the energy involved in the process of getting a paper plate to your table far outweighs the use of water to wash dishes, the key is to efficiently wash dishes and then use the gray water for irrigating the cat nip.

also, I don't think I saw anyone mention kegged beer as opposed to canned or bottled? Kerri and I are bringing a couple kegs from our local micro breweries.
and what did I miss about chemicals in Nalgenes?

 Listening to: Carlene Carter / to change your heart

[ilovethelorax]

Good thought regarding keg vs. individually bottled beer!

There's some good info here on Nalgenes Rick.

 Listening to: baseball

[itsRick]

oh BPA, I think after reading I'll take my chances until I lose the ones I have. when I need replacements I'll buy the BPA free ones.

 Listening to: renegade rail / fat girls and weed

[itsRick]

Ok, over on the low back chair thread it was mentioned to recycle chairs that aren't going to be taken home. I think something to work on is a collection point for "disposable" gear? that way those that want can take home said gear and return with it next year to a free gear distribution point.  what'ya think PB? all it takes is a couple of signs, and we spread the word?

 Listening to: A R E O P L A N E ! !