Latest news with #composting
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Should bioplastics be counted as compost? Debate pits farmers against manufacturers
Greg Pryor began composting yard and food waste for San Francisco in 1996, and today he oversees nine industrial-sized composting sites in California and Oregon that turn discarded banana peels, coffee grounds, chicken bones and more into a dark, nutrient-rich soil that farmers covet for their fields and crops. His company, Recology, processes organic waste from cities and municipalities across the Bay Area, Central Valley, Northern California, Oregon and Washington — part of a growing movement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by minimizing food waste in landfills. But, said Pryor, if bioplastic and compostable food packaging manufacturers' get their way, the whole system could collapse. At issue is a 2021 California law, known as Assembly Bill 1201, which requires that products labeled 'compostable' must actually break down into compost, not contaminate soil or crops with toxic chemicals, and be readily identifiable to both consumers and solid waste facilities. The law also stipulates that products carrying a "compostable" label must meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program requirements, which only allow for plant and animal material in compost feedstock, and bar all synthetic substances and materials — plastics, bioplastics and most packaging materials — except for newspaper or other recycled paper without glossy or colored ink. The USDA is reviewing those requirements at the request of a compostable plastics and packaging industry trade group. Its ruling, expected this fall, could open the door for materials such as bioplastic cups, coffee pods and compostable plastic bags to be admitted into the organic compost waste stream. Amid pressure from the industry, the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery said it will await implementing its own rules on AB 1201 — originally set for Jan. 1, 2026 — until June 30, 2027, to incorporate the USDA guidelines, should there be a change. Pryor is concerned that a USDA ruling to allow certain plastic to be considered compost will contaminate his product, make it unsaleable to farmers, and undermine the purpose of composting — which is to improve soil and crop health. Plastics, microplastics and toxic chemicals can hurt and kill the microorganisms that make his compost healthy and valued. Research also shows these materials, chemicals and products can threaten the health of crops grown in them. And while research on new generation plastics made from plant and other organic fibers have more mixed findings — suggesting some fibers, in some circumstances, may not be harmful — Pryor said the farmers who buy his compost don't want any of it. They've told him they won't buy it if he accepts it in his feedstock. "If you ask farmers, hey, do you mind plastic in your compost? Every one of them will say no. Nobody wants it," he said. However, for manufacturers of next-generation, "compostable" food packaging products — such as bioplastic bags, cups and takeout containers made from corn, kelp or sugarcane fibers — those federal requirements present an existential threat to their industry. That's because California is moving toward a new waste management regime which, by 2032, will require all single-use plastic packaging products sold in the state to be either recyclable or compostable. If the products these companies have designed and manufactured for the sole purpose of being incorporated in the compost waste stream are excluded, they will be shut out of the huge California market. They say their products are biodegradable, contain minimal amounts of toxic chemicals and metals, and provide an alternative to the conventional plastics used to make chip bags, coffee pods and frozen food trays — and wind up in landfills, rivers and oceans. "As we move forward, not only are you capturing all this material ... such as coffee grounds, but there isn't really another packaging solution in terms of finding an end of life," for these products, said Alex Truelove, senior policy manager for the Biodegradable Product Institute, a trade organization for compostable packaging producers. "Even if you could recycle those little cups, which it seems like no one is willing to do ... it still requires someone to separate out and peel off the foil top and dump out the grounds. Imagine if you could just have a really thin covering or really thin packaging, and then you could just put it all in" the compost he said. "How much more likely would it be for people to participate?" Truelove and Rhodes Yepsen, the executive director of the bioplastic institute, also point to compost bin and can liners, noting that many people won't participate in separating out their food waste if they can't put it in a bag — the "yuck" factor. If you create a compostable bag, they say, more people will buy into the program. The institute — whose board members include or have included representatives from the chemical giant BASF Corp., polystyrene manufacturer Dart Container, Eastman Chemical Co. and PepsiCo — is lobbying the federal and state government to get its products into the compost stream. The institute also works as a certifying body, testing, validating and then certifying compostable packaging for composting facilities across the U.S. and Canada. In 2023, it petitioned the USDA to reconsider its exclusion of certain synthetic products, calling the current requirements outdated and "one of the biggest stumbling blocks" to efforts in states, such as California, that are trying to create a circular economy, in which products are designed and manufactured to be reused, recycled or composted. In response, the federal agency contracted the nonprofit Organics Material Review Institute to compile a report evaluating the research that's been conducted on these products' safety and compostability. The institute's report, released in April, highlighted a variety of concerns including the products' ability to fully biodegrade — potentially leaving microplastics in the soil — as well as their tendency to introduce forever chemicals, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and other toxic chemicals into the soil. "Roughly half of all bioplastics produced are non-biodegradable," the authors wrote. "To compensate for limitations inherent to bioplastic materials, such as brittleness and low gas barrier properties, bioplastics can contain additives such as synthetic polymers, fillers, and plasticizers. The specific types, amounts, and hazards of these chemicals in bioplastics are rarely disclosed." The report also notes that while some products may break down relatively efficiently in industrial composting facilities, when left out in the environment, they may not break down at all. What's more, converting to biodegradable plastics entirely could result in an increase in biodegradable waste in landfills — and with it emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, the authors wrote. Yepsen and Truelove say their organization won't certify any products in which PFAS — a chemical often used to line cups and paper to keep out moisture — was intentionally added, or which is found in levels above a certain threshold. And they require 90% biodegradation of the products they certify. Judith Enck, a former regional Environmental Protection Agency director, and the founder of Beyond Plastics, an anti-plastic waste environmental group based in Bennington, Vt., said the inclusion of compost as an end-life option for packaging in California's new waste management regime was a mistake. "What it did was to turn composting into a waste disposal strategy, not a soil health strategy," she said. "The whole point of composting is to improve soil health. But I think what's really driving this debate right now is consumer brand companies who just want the cheapest option to keep producing single-use packaging. And the chemical companies, because they want to keep selling chemicals for packaging and a lot of so-called biodegradable or compostable packaging contains those chemicals." Bob Shaffer, an agronomist and coffee farmer in Hawaii, said he's been watching these products for years, and won't put any of those materials in his compost. "Farmers are growing our food, and we're depending on them. And the soils they grow our crops in need care," he said. "I'll grow food for you, and I'll grow gorgeous food for you, but give us back the food stuff you're not using or eating, so we can compost it, return it to the soil, and make a beautiful crop for you. But be mindful of what you give back to us. We can't grow you beautiful food from plastic and toxic chemicals." Recology's Pryor said the food waste his company receives has increasingly become polluted with plastic. He pointed toward a pile of food waste at his company's composting site in the San Joaquin Valley town of Vernalis. The pile looked less like a heap of rotting and decaying food than a dirty mound of plastic bags, disposable coffee cups, empty, greasy chip bags and takeout boxes. "I've been doing this for more than three decades, and I can tell you the food we process hasn't changed over that time," he said. "Neither have the leaves, brush and yard clippings we bring in. The only thing that's changed? Plastics and biodegradable plastics." He said if the USDA and CalRecycle open the doors for these next-generation materials, the problem is just going to get worse. "People are already confused about what they can and can't put in," he said. "Opening the door for this stuff is jut going to open the floodgates. For all kinds of materials. It's a shame." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
CNET
4 days ago
- General
- CNET
Composting Guide: What You Can and Can't Compost
No, not everything can be thrown into your compost bin. Composting requires a delicate balance of dry brown material and wet, nutrient-rich green. The latter usually consists of kitchen waste but adding the wrong leftover or discarded foods can ruin your carefully curated compost. If you want to compost meat and dairy -- both of which tend to attract pests -- I recommend a countertop food waste processor such as the Mill Bin, which dries and grinds food down to a dirt-like substance. These countertop contractions don't make compost but they'll make the composting process a whole lot less smelly and gross. You'll also want to learn what foods, plants and household products don't belong in a compost bin. Foods high in oil, sugar or artificial ingredients often don't do well in the pile. Meat and fish can technically be composted but adding them to the heap might be more trouble than it's worth (more on that later). Below you'll find a list of foods and household items that shouldn't and should go in your compost pile. Read more: I Cut My Kitchen Waste by 80% in One Week With This Small Appliance Amy Kim, CNET/Getty Video What is composting? Composting is a way to help food trash and other organic items decompose into a substance that can be used to alter the composition of soil so that it's more nutritious for plants. To start the composting process, certain bacteria activators are added to the organic material to create heat. The heat causes the organic material to decompose more quickly than it would out in nature. What can't be composted? Cooking oils Foods high in added fat and oil Cheese, milk and and other dairy items Sugar Candy and other foods containing excess sugar Large amounts of cooked food Highly processed canned and packaged foods Cat litter Dog waste Certain houseplants Most but not all food scraps can go into a compost pile. Johner Images/ Getty Images Items that can be composted Fruit and vegetable scraps Cores, peels and rinds Coffee grounds Grass clippings Leaves Beans and legumes Seeds and nuts Herbs and greens Egg shells Paper towels (as long as they're not covered in grease) Bacon fat and other greasy items should not be composted. Talisman Can you compost meat and fish? Countertop food processors such as the Vitamix FoodCycler make mincemeat of kitchen scraps and speed up the decomposition process. Vitamix Some gardeners add fish, meat, bones and dairy products to their compost bin. This is fine, unless you have a problem with rodents or raccoons, because these foods create a strong smell that scavengers can't resist. If you want to compost meat and seafood without the risk of attracting critters, a countertop organic waste processor will grind and dry your scraps so they're akin to dirt and not something that would interest a wild animal. Outside composting There are two main ways of composting: outside and inside. First, let's take a look at outside composting. A layer of dry material, like leaves, is important to outdoor composting. Alina Bradford/CNET Some gardeners prefer to have a compost pile in their yard. This is exactly what it sounds like. It is a pile layered with grass clippings, food bits, sticks and dead leaves. The pile is started in a sunny area with a layer of twigs and sticks on the ground to help with airflow. Then, moist organic material (like food scraps or grass clippings) is layered with dry material, such as leaves, twigs and sawdust. That dry material is crucial because you don't want the compost to be too damp, which will cause foul odors and attract pests. This type of composting takes some work because the pile will need to be turned (basically mixed up) every week or two using a pitchfork or compost aerator. The benefit is that it's basically free. The only items you need to purchase are a turning tool and some compost activator, and you will be on your way to having a nutrient-rich compost. Composting is a beautiful thing. Getty Images An easier outdoor solution is a compost tumbler, like the Yimby ($75) or this Miracle-Gro large dual-chamber compost tumbler ($120). Both of these consist of rotating barrels that you throw your yard and food waste into and then spin five to six times every two to three days. The spinning mixes the compost to encourage quick and even decomposition. The same rules about wet and dry material apply; you need to keep the compost well-balanced so that it breaks down correctly. When choosing an outdoor system, also be sure to look for a unit that has many aeration holes to release gasses caused by the food decomposing. A closed container can explode if too much pressure from gasses builds up. Indoor composting High-tech composters, like Whirlpool's Zera, can turn food scraps into compost in a matter of hours. Chris Monroe/CNET Indoor composting is almost foolproof with high-tech compost bins, like the Food Cycler Platinum. With this type of unit, you just drop in the food scraps, coffee grounds or paper towels and compost activator. The unit uses heat and pressure to turn the scraps into fertilizer, usually within three to 24 hours. Some units can produce about two pounds of fertilizer for eight pounds of food waste. OK, I have decomposed compost, now what? Once the food items are decomposed, it will look almost like woody dirt. You can sprinkle small amounts in house plants or till large amounts into a garden plot. You can also sprinkle it on your lawn or trees to make them healthier. When you've exhausted your finished compost, you can continue the process by adding food scraps and yard waste to your pile or compost bin. A well-cared-for compost pile can give you nutrient-rich compost for years to come. Composting FAQ Is compost just food waste? No. Compost can also include yard waste (described above) and other items, such as paper towels and some biodegradable tea bags. Compost can be made up of any organic waste. Is compost the same as soil? Compost is not the same as soil, but it can be added to the soil in your garden to make it more nutrient-rich.
TTG
6 days ago
- Business
- TTG
Hurtigruten's unique offering In The Spotlight
More on sustainability James details Hurtigruten's sustainability drive in the video (and transcript below), and adds that one of the other standout innovations the line has made is its state-of-the-art reactor process, whereby it is reducing edible food waste daily. 'We are reducing 250 kilos of edible food waste every single day, reducing it by 90% and converting it into compost, all within a 24-hour life cycle, which then again comes into our sustainability with our food and where we're getting our food from as well,' he says. This initiative means that more than 144,000 kilos of food waste annually is repurposed into nutrient-rich compost. And every 14 days, the compost is delivered to various ports of call to make sure that Hurtigruten is getting more fresh produce to really improve the circular food system as well. 'So it's something that's super important to us and Norway as a destination as well,' adds James. Video transcript With Hurtigruten's sales director UK, James Howlett, and TTG Media's Jennifer Morris. Jennifer: Welcome to our In The Spotlight video with Hurtigruten. James, can you start off by telling us a little bit about Hurtigruten's product types: that is, Original Voyages versus Signature Voyages. James: It's important people understand we have two distinct product categories now within Hurtigruten Group. Obviously, the Original Coastal Express that many agents will know and love, which we've done for 132 years. It travels 12 days and covers over two and a half thousand nautical miles, sailing from the south part in Bergen, going all the way up to the north, into Kirkenes and then back down to Bergen, going to 34 incredible ports of call along the way. They're often known as the original postal route, and it still delivers cargo to local communities, connecting all these incredibly beautiful ports of call along the Norwegian coast. And then a couple years ago we launched our Signature Voyages, which are a more premium experience tailored to perhaps the classic cruise customer. This offers all-inclusive, incredible food and beverages to some really unique destinations. Some of the ports of call are the same as coastal, but many are different. So for example in the summertime, the Svalbard line follows the midnight sun, sailing from Bergen, going all the way up to the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard in the realm of the polar bears and what have you. And then in the winter months, we travel the North Cape Line sailing, which goes from Oslo, so into the Norwegian capital, down to the southernly most point of mainland Norway, right up to the northernly most point of mainland Europe, hopefully in search the incredible Northern Lights as well. Jennifer: Can you tell us a bit about Hurtigruten's very rich history? James: We've been doing this incredible route for 132 years. We started in 1893 and the whole purpose has been connecting these incredible communities along the coast of Norway. We've transported locals, cargo. And obviously over the last few years, more international guests to these incredible 34 ports on that 12 day round trip from Bergen to Kirkenes and back to Bergen. Often though, as the world's most beautiful voyage, the Norwegian coast is spectacular for its scenery, for wildlife. And today we've got, seven custom-built ships on that particular route, offering immersive experiences, showcasing that beautiful, natural coastline of Norway and really soaking up that cultural richness that Norway has to offer as well. Jennifer: I believe Hurtigruten specialises in small ship sailing. James: Yeah, absolutely. Our ships are maximum 500 people; really small and intimate. Obviously, Norway's known as a great destination for cruise companies and cruise lines, but we offer such a unique experience with having ships that only cater to around 500 people as an absolute maximum. It just means we can go into really small ports of call, but more importantly, it's a really informal atmosphere. It isn't requiring, ballgowns et cetera, and getting dressed up for dinner. So it's super relaxed. You'll probably see more hiking boots than formal wear going off to dinner. We've got an incredible expedition team who are there to enhance the customer's voyage on the sea and on the land part of these incredible sailings as well. Also, because the ships are so small, it just means we can really hug the coastline of Norway. We can sail into some really unique areas – into those beautiful fjords and so on. Jennifer: And can you tell us a little bit about Hurtigruten's sustainability ethos? James: Yeah, absolutely. Sustainability is something super important to not just Hurtigruten, but Norway as a whole, as a destination. In fact, we were recently ranked the top cruise line in the Friends of the Earth 2024 cruise ship report card, and it just underscores how important environmental commitments, industry leading innovations and dedication to responsible tourism is to us. At the heart of what we do is something that we call Norway's Coastal Kitchen, which really is about eating locally, sustainably. You are going to get fresh ingredients in many of the destinations we go to. So over 80% of our ingredients for food and drink are coming from the areas that you're actually visiting. We use over 70 local suppliers, over 15 incredible ports of call, making sure that not only we're getting the best ingredients, but also the freshest and the most high-end as well. Also, since 2022, we've been making sure we've been trying to lead the way in waste reduction and improve in our circular food system. So we've cut water consumption by 8% and waste by 4% per guest. And after five years of dedicated efforts we've already significantly reduced edible food waste, dropping from 261 grams per guest in 2019 to only 65 grams per guest in 2023. And that's all as we're improving our offering throughout an increase in guest numbers onboard as well. Jennifer: I hear a lot about Hurtigruten Rewards. Can you tell us a little bit about what those are? James: Yeah, absolutely. So in 2024 in October we launched our Hurtigruten Rewards programme, the whole purpose of which was designed to recognise and reward travel agents for their incredible loyalty over the years. And so what we have is a really user-friendly platform. Agents simply go on there, they create an account and they track their rewards and their bookings. It just means that everything on there is rewarded properly. So every booking that someone makes turns into points: 100 points for our coastal bookings, 200 points for our signature bookings, which can straight away be redeemed into monetary vouchers, which you can spend in hundreds of different retailers around the UK. So this just means people have got super flexibility, they can save their bookings and take them all out in one go, or they can keep swapping them as and when they make a booking as well. So it's just a huge thank you for the incredible travel industry for supporting us over the many, many years we've been in operation.
CTV News
6 days ago
- General
- CTV News
‘It's a bit of a stinky job': Banff Grade 4 students leading the way in composting initiative
On Fridays at Banff Elementary School (BES) it's not the custodian who goes around collecting the class compost bins, it's the Grade 4 students. It may be a stinky job but it's one they take great pride in. Started by Grade 4 teacher Alysa Amirault back in March, the compost club aims to educate students while giving them the opportunity to lead the way in environmental action within their own school. 'I really see the value in it, and I see the value in it giving the kids this opportunity to be leaders in their school, and it's just been great,' said Amirault. After the last school composting program stopped shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic and with the recent G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis, Amirault felt a call to action and rallied her Grade 4 class. 'I said, 'You guys, why don't we do a compost club?' And [the students] were so stoked until they realized that it's kind of a thankless job and it's kinda gross … but they're really keen,' she said. With the first unit of the Grade 4 science curriculum being 'waste in our world', students learn about the importance of conservation and are given a hands-on role to take action in their community through the club. 'First, I was really excited [for the club]. I didn't know that compost eventually turns into soil. I thought [it] would take like a million years or something, but now I know,' said Grade 4 student Tvisha Patel. 'It's a bit of a stinky job,' she added. Grade 4 student Alex Stewart wants others to learn more about the benefits of composting. 'I encourage lots of people to [compost] because this is a good thing for the planet. Just throwing your stuff in the garbage bin, it doesn't really help, but when you throw it in the organics bin, it makes it easier so people can make soil so you can be able to grow more food and eat,' said Stewart. Every Friday students go to their assigned classrooms, picking up compost bins from around the school. Back in class, the bins are searched for non-organic waste items. 'You sometimes need to talk to [the classes] about putting stuff in because the first run for me there was like a plastic yogurt container [in the bin],' said student Owen Wells. The next step is data collection where each bag is weighed and recorded. The class has collected 166 pounds of compost since the end of March, according to Amirault. Walking over to the town compost bin on Moose Street, the students dispose of the organic waste and replace the bins with new compost bags donated to the class by the Town of Banff. 'The cutest thing recently is that the kids have started singing the Single Seed song,' said Amirault. Written and performed by BES students alongside Banff's poet's laureate, Heather Jean Jordan back in May, 'A Single Seed' is a song dedicated to the leaders of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis that expresses the student's hopes and concerns for the future. The song has now become the anthem of the class as they make their way to the town bins. 'My favourite thing is when we all go to the bin and then we just start singing and it's really fun,' said Stewart. Amirault hopes the message of the compost club is that even the youngest can contribute and make change, and that can start with small steps. 'I hope that they'll remember that they learned some things and that they can be influences too … [in] the not so glamorous part of what taking care of the planet looks like,' said Amirault. 'I just hope that they'll continue to be curious. Who knows maybe they … find careers and opportunities for themselves to showcase what they know and be advocates for the environment and for the world … but also just on a small level that they can influence their families to just be better, do better.' As the school year comes to a close, Patel hopes the up-and-coming Grade 4s will eagerly carry on in the initiative. 'I would encourage the other Grade 4s that are gonna come in next year … I would encourage them to do this job and be willing, be supportive,' said Patel.
CNET
26-06-2025
- General
- CNET
Drain Pain: These 9 Common Household Items Are Sure to Clog Your Drains
As a first-time homeowner, I'm learning things the hard way. I knew summer would test my AC -- although maybe not so soon -- but I clogged drains took my by surprise. With all the hosting and entertaining happening this time of year, your pipes can take a serious beating and pouring certain household items down there will increase the chances of a clog that you can't fix yourself. If you do have a clogged drain, we asked a plumber what to do to get things moving. Spoiler alert: it's not use chemical drain cleaner. In this article, I'll walk you through nine things you should never send swirling down the sink, plus a few tips for unclogging things when they inevitably rebel anyway. Save your pipes. Save your summer. And maybe, just maybe, save yourself from that awkward "I swear this never happens" call to the plumber. 9 household items that will clog your drain Vegetable peels Carrot, potato and other vegetable peels may fit down the drain but that's about the worst place you can put them. That organic refuse will cause backups and clogged drains faster than you can say "compost pile." Speaking of which, a compost pile or organic waste processor is exactly where those materials should go. Here's how to start a compost pile if you're new to the game. Oil and grease Bacon fat shouldn't be poured down the sink, but it can be saved and used in your next recipe. Talisman Oil and grease are two of the most common drain-clogging substances. Large amounts of cooking oil left in the skillet or a mound of leftover bacon fat from breakfast are surefire ways to build up gunk in your kitchen pipes over time. Oil should be fully cooled and placed in a sealed receptacle before being tossed. Pork fat and bacon grease can be used to flavor your next recipe or season a cast-iron skillet. Read more: 8 Ways to Use Leftover Bacon Fat Oil-based foods: Salad dressing, mayo, marinades, chili crisp Try to avoid putting large amounts of mayo or salad dressing down the kitchen drain. MemoriesThe same goes for oily foods including salad dressing, mayonnaise, marinades and more. A small spot of mayonnaise may not cause an issue, but dumping a whole bottle of past-its-prime balsamic dressing or teriyaki marinade could cause problems. Heavily oil-based foods can't be composted and should be tossed in the garbage. Coffee grounds Coffee grounds can be composted but they shouldn't go in the sink. Chris Monroe/CNET If you make a pot of coffee every morning, disposing of the grounds is just part of the routine. Coffee grounds can be composted, but they should not go down the drain. Over time, coffee grounds will build up in the pipes and cause a backup. If you don't have one, consider starting a compost pile to keep food scraps from ending up in the sink and garbage. Use this helpful trick to avoid that compost pile stench in your kitchen. Or add a countertop food scrap processor like the Lomi or Mill Bin if composting isn't in the cards. Flour Extra flour should be composted or thrown away. iStockphoto/Getty Images If you've seen what happens to flour when it mixes with water, you know why it's not a good idea to pour it down the drain. Imagine a dense bread dough trying to make its way through your pipes. Not pretty. If you have leftover flour from a baking project or a recipe, you should compost it or else throw it away. Dirt and soil Fight the urge to flush excess potting soil down the kitchen drain. Justin Tech/CNET I'm admittedly guilty of this one. The kitchen sink seems like the perfect place to transfer an indoor plant from pot to pot, but soil and other dirt types can very easily clog your drain. If you can do it without letting more than a few granules down the sink, you'll probably be OK. If heaps of potting are involved, you'd be wise to take the project outside. Rice and pasta Be it cooked or uncooked, rice does not belong in your pipes. Compost it instead. Brian Bennett/CNET Unless you have a garbage disposal, no food scraps should be going down the drain. Rice and small pasta are especially tricky since they can sneak past your drain guard and end up in pipes they shouldn't be. To stop a starch-based clog before it happens, discard leftover grains and pasta in the compost pile or trash bin if you're not composting. Paper products Paper products, no matter how thin, do not go down the kitchen drain. Angela Lang/CNET There are no paper products that should go down the drain, even those made from thin compostable. Certain kitchen products like plates, bowls and napkins can be composted, but check carefully before adding them to your kitchen pile or smart kitchen bin. Otherwise, they should be tossed. Paint Oil-based paint is about the worst thing you could pour down the kitchen sink. Try mixing it with kitty litter until it dries before disposing of it.I've been guilty of this one, too but it's time to break the habit. Because paint is liquid, it might seem like a candidate for the kitchen sink, but it's not. Paint adheres to pipes, and if it dries, it becomes a serious plumbing problem. One genius hack for disposing of old paint: kitty litter. Mix some litter with the old paint can until it turns solid and toss it in the garbage. Check with your local sanitation service for certified disposal facilities for oil-based paints. How to unclog a drain with household items Is there anything baking soda and vinegar can't do? Angela Lang/CNET If your drain does clog, try a combination of vinegar, baking soda and boiling water. There are many reports from LifeProTips and Lifehacks Reddit threads of this quick fix saving homeowners in a pinch. There are also chemical drain cleaners to help get things moving -- although a plumber we spoke to told us why you should be cautious with chemical drain cleaners. To stop food and solids from getting into the kitchen drain, a $10 sink strainer will save you grief later on. Most important is knowing which foods and household materials to keep out of the kitchen sink and avoid a clogged pipe catastrophe in the first place. FAQ What's the best chemical cleaner I can use for a clogged drain? After rigorous testing, CNET has determined the best overall chemical drain cleaner is Green Gobbler Main Line Opener. For a full list of our tested chemical drain cleaners, you can reference our best list here.
