While living in Togo, I had to learn what to do with garbage. There was no garbage pickup—of course in a place with no electricity or running water I hadn’t expected that—but somehow I was still surprised to learn that what I needed to to with any garbage I produced was go out into the…
Tag: waste
In Search of Bulk Yogurt
While living in a large town in Azerbaijan in 2007-2008, I remember going to purchase yogurt from women at a street stall (this was the only place, outside of a home, it could be found). I had to be taught that I couldn’t come empty-handed; I had to bring my own large glass jar, known…
Pasta Sauce in Glass or Plastic: Which to Choose?
The pasta sauce selection is pretty big in most American supermarkets. While I don’t often go looking for this item, preferring to make my own sauces when I can, there are times when the convenience of that jar of tomato sauce to put over my ravioli or spaghetti beckons. I first look to the ingredients…
Linking Thermostat and Weather
On a cold day like today, I am reminded of something that I’ve been thinking of on and off — a practice that seems intuitive to me, but I think is not widely used: adjusting one’s thermostat based on outside temperature. Now, clearly people do this to some extent, for instance, in the fall, waiting…
Wearing Something Out
I love the feeling of getting every last bit out of a jar, or a toothpaste tube, or of wearing a piece of clothing out. In that moment, I honor the life of the thing that is expiring, appreciating the gift of utility it has granted me. I feel that I, too, have been useful,…