Tag: eco

animal

5 Ways to Make Your Fur-Baby an Upcycled Cat Bed

michelleneffLeave a comment

This article was originally published on One Green Planet.

As any feline lover will tell you, their cat is one of their best friends. They are always hanging out in their cat tree, looking out the window or sweetly lounging across your nap while you binge on the latest Netflix show. Even when they wander around the house in the middle of the night, purring really loudly, you still adore your cat unconditionally. Cat lovers will do anything to make sure their BFF is comfortable. So if you have some old materials lying around, you can easily make a cute upcycled cat bed for your furry friend to curl up in – take a look!

1. Suitcase Bed

These upcycled vintage pet beds from DIY Blondie are super adorable. You can easily pick up a suitcase from your local antique or thrift store and turn it into a cozy napping spot by adding a soft pillow on the inside and matching the fabric. Your cat will definitely appreciate it!

2. Computer Cat Bed 

That’s right! You can make a cat bed out of a computer. If you have an old computer monitor, separate the front from the back and remove all of the internal parts. Make sure to recycle whatever you can! Then attach the front and back together again, insert your feline’s favorite bedding and viola! A cat bed.

3. Rope Bowl Cat Bed 

Lia Griffth offers a great tutorial on how to make a cat bed out of cotton rope. You do need a sewing machine for this one, but it’s a very easy bed to make if you know how to sew! Plus, this cat bed is designed to be a bowl shape so your cat can really curl up inside if they want to.

4. Sweater Bed

Got an old winter sweater? You can easily turn a sweater into a cat bed! This way if you have a cat that loves to sit on your clothes, you might as well take an old sweater and make their very own bed. In this video, Ellie Jay gives a step by step tutorial by using a sweater, stuffing, and a sewing machine. When you’re away from the house, your cat will be able to be “with” you by curling up on to your sweater!

5. Cat Tent Bed

Cats are curious creatures and love to jump into just about anything they can. The Internet isn’t obsessed with cats and boxes for no reason. ErinsAnimals breaks down how to make a DIY cat tent and we have to be honest, this is super adorable. You can put a towel or a pillow inside and this cat tent can double as a playtime or a sleeping nook!

There are tons of ways to get creative and make the most of what you have on hand. And let’s be honest, it’s entirely possible that you could get a box from a recent order and your cat will prefer that over the cat bed you worked so hard on. Or maybe they would prefer thedog bed over their own cat bed. That’s a cat for you!

Regardless, making an upcycled cat bed is a great way to unleash your crafty side, all while making something for your furry friend.

activism · eco

Top Tips for Easy Composting

michelleneffLeave a comment

Have you ever thought of or tried to compost? Not only is composting free fertilizer, it also reduces the amount of waste going into landfills. According to the EPA, food scraps and yard waste make up to 30% of what we throw away and could be composted instead, with just a few simple steps.

Compost is a natural process of decomposition that creates active organic matter, out of  materials like yard and food waste.

But, how to get started with composting? Composting is much easier than you may have thought.

  1. Do your homework. Before you start composting, make sure you understand which items and materials should be composted and how best to keep your compost balanced. Generally, you can compost items like coffee grounds, fruits and vegetables, eggshells, tea bags, nut shells, yard and grass waste, leaves and more.
What To Compost
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Eggshells
  • Coffee grounds and filters
  • Tea bags
  • Nut shells
  • Shredded newspaper
  • Cardboard
  • Paper
  • Yard trimmings
  • Grass clippings
  • Houseplants
  • Hay and straw
  • Leaves
  • Sawdust
  • Wood chips
  • Cotton and Wool Rags
  • Hair and fur
  • Fireplace ashes
What Not To Compost and Why
  • Fats, grease, lard, or oils
    • Creates odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
  • Meat or fish bones and scraps
    • Creates odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
  • Pet wastes (e.g., dog or cat feces, soiled cat litter)
    • Might contain parasites, bacteria, germs, pathogens, and viruses harmful to humans
  • Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides
    • Might kill beneficial composting organisms)
  • Dairy products (e.g., butter, milk, sour cream, yogurt) and eggs
    • Creates odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies)

You’ll want to make sure you have a good ratio of greens (like vegetable and fruit scraps and yard waste) and browns (like dead leaves and twigs). Remember, water is important – you can’t compost material that doesn’t have the right amount of moisture. 

2.     Determine your composting goals.  The types of materials you put in your compost will vary depending on how you want to use it. You can use your compost in your yard or garden, or share it with friends and family for their gardens. Don’t need compost yourself? Depending on your area, you may be able to collect your food scraps and yard waste for industrial composting and work with a local provider, like Republic Services, for collection. 

3.     Assess your space. Look around your space and evaluate what you may need to start composting. You’ll want to store food scraps in a place that makes it convenient to compost while you’re cooking or cleaning your kitchen. The easier you make it to compost at home, the more likely you’ll be to do it. You don’t need a fancy scrap bucket, but make sure it has a tight seal to reduce odor. Collection in the kitchen is just one piece of the puzzle.  

4.     Get the right tools. After you’ve assessed your indoor space, you’ll want to get the tools that will set you up for success. You’ll also need a compost bin, which you can purchase or build on your own.  There are several different composters you can buy to meet your needs. Remember, you’ll need to find an outdoor space that is dry and shaded to store your compost bin. 

5.     Understand the warning signs. Once your compost is started, you’ll want to monitor for warnings signs that it is out of balance. Your compost shouldn’t attract bugs or rodents or produce a strong odor. If it is, then you’ll know that it’s time to adjust the mix of greens and browns you’re adding to your bin. Ideally, your compost should include an equal mix of green and brown material.  

Tips courtesy of Republic Services.