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A Better Dryer, Good CFLs vs. Bad, Energy from Hot Air Balloons, and a Plastic Bag Fee Argument
Slinks for 01.28.2009

1-28-2009slinks.jpgLots to look at today: Check out an argument for plastic bag fees, a look at a better clothes dryer, bad CFLs (not all are created equal), and how hot air balloons might power your house.

All the links are after the jump.

 
 

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Comments (3)

I really don't think there's an excuse for plastic bags. at minimum, there should be a small charge for each bag that is donated to a worthy environmental organization.

canvas bags are not that expensive. you don't have to go out and buy special ones. any old cloth bag will do. a tote you already have in your closet is great. check thrift stores. even make your own out of old sheets or jeans.

an idea: can't afford a canvas tote at the moment? start taking and reusing the plastic bags you've accumulated until they fall apart.

for those with some extra cash: be sure to get one of the thin nylon bags that folds up tiny and take it with you to and from work. this way, you won't have to resort to paper or plastic if you decide to make an unexpected stop on the way home.

bonus: canvas bags can be carried on your shoulder, freeing your hands. their thick straps also hurt less!

once you make it a habit, you'll feel silly for all the years you spent bringing home plastic. this is a simple change to which we can all adjust if we try.

posted by foodefafa on January 29th 2009 at 12:02am
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Thanks foo... I was going to say something like that. I'm really amazed people are making as much stink about this as they are.

I crocheted myself four totes from a cone of cotton string I bought at a thrift store for a buck.

Another cheap green tote from Martha Stewart: get a T shirt. Sew the bottom shut. Cut off the sleeves and widen the neck. Shazam. Nearly instant tote.

posted by whytephoenix on January 29th 2009 at 6:35pm
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That fraudulent dryer has shown up before, and all the blogs fall in line and report it as if it's gospel...
yeah, and I got a rubber gizmo that’ll double your car’s gas mileage if you wear it on your neck.

How can anyone possibly believe this? Heat is converted from electricity at 100% efficiency or from gas at 80-90%. There’s NOTHING that can improve that (well maybe gas to 95%, but that’s practically no improvement).There’s NO way for any external element that’s heated (how? don’t you have to use the same energy to do that?) can improve efficiency…it violates basic physics.

posted by chandru on January 29th 2009 at 9:51pm
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