Vertical Gardens

How to Make Living Green a Bit More Fun

May 22, 2018 by chris

by Tracy Plunkett

If you try to live green as much as possible, there is no denying that you are making a difference in the world. However, the minor problem with sustainable living is that it can feel like you’re making a lot of sacrifices. After all, you do have to give up certain activities that make your life either easier or more fun. Well, the good news for you is that it doesn’t have to be like that all the time. There are actually a number of ways to enjoy yourself while also living green. Here is how you can balance it all:

An Innovative No-Vehicle Day

There are few things that make life easier than your vehicle. Unfortunately, you are also aware of the carbon footprint that it leaves behind. Considering just how much greenhouse gas your car can produce, it makes sense to limit how much you drive it. Of course, this by itself isn’t all that thrilling. Well, what if you added a twist? Instead of just leaving your car at home, try to think of the most creative way that you can get to your destination.

For instance, you can model it after a triathlon. This works best if you have friends’ houses that you can stop by as you travel. This way, you will have a place to store all of your different ‘modes of transportation’. You can do one leg of the journey on foot, cycle for the rest, and maybe skate for the last bit.

Spend an Entire Day Outside

This is a particularly great idea if you have children. These days, it is all too common for kids to be stuck inside the house watching TV, playing video games, or surfing the internet. This is why it is more important than ever for them to see all the things that they can do outdoors. First things first, pack a bag with water and snacks and head outside. Then, get everyone to make a list of all the things they can do outdoors – the catch is that it has to span the whole day. If you are having trouble coming up with ideas, there are plenty of suggestions online.

Now, this activity has a two-fold advantage. For instance, you are encouraging the love of the great outdoors in your children. You are also reducing your energy consumption for a whole day. As you can see, it is a win-win situation.

Go Thrift Shopping or Have a Swap

Who doesn’t love shopping? Unfortunately, traditional means of shopping often mean tons of plastic packaging and clothes that aren’t eco-friendly or fair trade. Not to mention, you also end up spending quite a bit of money. Well, what if you could solve all of your problems at once? This can be easily done by going thrift store shopping. Here, the clothes, jewelry, books and so on are all pre-owned, so you don’t have to feel guilty. They are also incredibly affordable which means that you get to save some money too.

If you don’t have any thrift stores near you, then it is time to get inventive. You can host a swap in your own backyard. Invite all those who are interested to bring second-hand clothes and any other items that they want to give away. Then, people can exchange these things for similarly valued items and will not have to spend a dime.

Upcycle and Make Some Money

There are just so many things in your home that can be upcycled. Plastic bottles, old clothes – the list goes on. Now, the last thing you probably want is your home to get cluttered with the things you have created during your upcycling projects. So, why not make some money off your ventures? These days, it is quite easy to sell your wares online. To top it off, there is also a huge demand for handmade items. You can use both these things to your advantage and look for buyers willing to purchase your upcycled products. You will find that bags and ornaments are sold particularly quickly. As they say, one person’s trash is someone else’s treasure.

Make Meatless Mondays More Fun

One of the more useful things you can do to contribute to the environment is to cut down on the amount of meat that you eat. This is true for beef, in particular. Now, for most people, this can be one of the tougher tasks. After all, it can be quite difficult to give up burgers, bacon, and steaks, even if it is just for one day.

So, in a bid to make this a bit easier for you, give yourself a cooking challenge. Here, try to recreate your favorite meat dishes with vegetables or plant-based products instead. The key here is to make them look and taste as close to meat as possible. If you want, you can also get others involved and see who makes the best dish. At the very least, it will provide you with a few laughs and a lot of variety.

As you can see, there are a lot of ways to make green living enjoyable. All of these ideas will also come in handy when you are trying to convince others to join your way of life. Regardless, though, you now are aware of all of the different ways that you can save the planet and have a bit of fun yourself. This is sure to liven things up for you.

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Tracy Plunkett is a Kiwi writer who keeps close to nature with her love for animals, photography, and the outdoors. In fact, she can often be found working on projects that even combine these three interests.

This article first appeared on offgridworld.com Check it out here

19 Unique Uses for Shipping Containers

May 16, 2018 by chris

Shipping container bridge project from Yoav Messer Architects

by Cory Levins

When you think of shipping containers, you probably imagine large steel boxes that are used to haul large hazardous materials and other cargo from one place to another. While that was their sole use in the past, that is no longer the case. Shipping containers are used for a variety of structures nowadays.

About a decade ago, people started using shipping containers for their homes as a way to save money and live a low-maintenance lifestyle. In addition, shipping containers are an eco-friendly alternative to traditional houses, so everybody wins.

But the uses for shipping containers don’t stop there. Countries all over the world are joining the movement and using these versatile rectangular boxes for buildings ranging from hotels, to movie theaters, to malls.

When a company no longer needs a shipping container, why just let it sit there? There are many ways to put it to good use. Here is a sampling of ideas:

19 unique uses for shipping containers

1. School. Building a school costs a lot of money, but education is still needed for the world’s children. So, what do you do? Third world countries and other poor areas around the world have gone about using shipping containers as classrooms, which are great for tight budgets. In addition, many of these classrooms are outfitted with solar panels, so they save money on electricity as well.

Shipping container school in Malawi — Solar powered shipping container school in Malawi

2. Hotel. Many people use shipping containers as homes, so it’s only logical that they can be used as hotels as well. These containers have been converted into hotels in many countries across the globe. Some are permanent, while others can be made to be transported to various locations.

3. Bridge. In Israel, a proposed project will turn retired shipping containers into a 525-foot long bridge. The space was once a landfill, but it is now a green space that leads to Ariel Sharon National Park.

Shipping container bridge project from Yoav Messer Architects

4. Hospital or clinic. Can’t get to the hospital? Let it come to you. Containers can be used to create portable clinics so more people can get medical treatment. These clinics can also be made stationary and affixed to permanent locations.

5. Furniture. Shipping containers can make durable furniture for schools and homeowners. Whether you’re looking to create chairs, tables or desks, you can’t get much sturdier than shipping container material.

6. Portable toilet. Containers make great toilets for construction sites. These are seen in many countries, and their portability makes it so they can be used from one project to another with ease.

7. Movie theater. Shipping containers can provide only a temporary solution as a movie theater, but they offer a lot of recreational value in a short time.

8. Stores. In countries outside of the United States, it’s not uncommon to see stores – even entire malls – made from shipping containers.

9. Food truck. Instead of having to travel from place to place, you can keep your food truck in one location thanks to shipping containers. You can modify a shipping container to allow the roof and sides to “pop out” and create an innovative work of art that shows off your creativity. This idea also works well for small shops.

Shipping container food truck — Hobo Food’s shipping container food truck

10. Coffee bars and cafes. Save money on commercial space by creating your own café and coffee bar from a shipping container.

11. Student housing. Shipping containers are often used as student housing in other countries. Many colleges and universities stack these containers and use them as dorms.

12. Barn. Shipping containers are a natural choice for barns because of their many useful properties. They are fire resistant, so they can contain a fire. They are also water and wind-tight, so if you live in an area that has these weather conditions, shipping containers are a must-have.

13. Playhouse. Keep your kids entertained with a shipping container playhouse. You can configure it however you please. You can make it small or large and paint it any color you’d like. Add games and a TV, and the playhouse will be a perfect location for sleepovers with neighborhood friends.

14. Playground. Shipping containers are made to be stacked, so, by making some adjustments and adding some pipes as slides, you can create a unique playground for the kids.

15. Workshop or office. With limited space at home, you may not have the room to work on projects. Containers make great cubicles and workshops. With just a few adjustments, you can add windows and doors and create a private area so you can focus on work.

Shipping container turned into a whimsical workshop by Jeremy Thompson

16. Deck or patio. While wood is typically used for decks, bees and other critters tend to ruin decks. By using a container, instead, you eliminate this problem. For a patio, create some open space or add some windows, and you’ll have a unique space.

17. Garden. A shipping container garden is the perfect place to grow plants and food that deer and other critters tend to eat. Put windows on all sides so the sunlight can get in and allow for optimal growth. This type of garden is easy to maintain, plus the extra protection will ensure your hard work and time won’t go to waste.

18. Pool. By placing a container underground, you can create your own pool. Just make a few adjustments, and you’ll have something to keep you cool this summer. Container sizes range from 10-53 feet in length, so you can add more containers as needed and create the size you desire. Creating your own shipping container pool also allows you to get creative and add wood, paint, and other elements to suit your preferences.

19. Sauna. As if a pool isn’t relaxing enough, what about your own sauna? Containers make great saunas.

Shipping container home with living roof by Poteet Architects

Shipping containers are perfect for a variety of buildings and work well in impoverished neighborhoods where building something from scratch would not be financially feasible. These are just some of the examples where containers have worked well. By using your imagination, you can likely find many more ways in which you could use these sturdy steel boxes.

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Cory Levins serves as the Director of Business Development for Air Sea Containers. Cory oversees the development and implementation of ASC’s internal and external marketing program, driving revenue and profits from the Miami FL headquarters. Before joining Air Sea Containers, Cory Levins was the Director of Business Development for Marketing and Real Estate Lending Companies. Cory enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, sports, and the ocean.

This article first appeared on offgridworld.com Check it out here

Subsistence Farming in Cold Climates

May 8, 2018 by chris

by Kylie Johnson

Subsistence farming is a term often heard in today’s world. The hubbub is growing and the concept seems more than plausible enough. It would be delightful if everybody could get into this style of farming! One of the few concerns, however, is that subsistence farming is for people who only live in warmer climates and that people in colder climates cannot accomplish the same yields. Subsistence farming in colder climates is not only possible, but if done properly, can be very successful.

What is subsistence farming?

Subsistence farming, at its core, means a farm is capable of growing enough food to feed the farmer and his or her family. In a world where food is constantly modified and sprayed with chemicals in order to have better shipping and production costs, subsistence farming is becoming a new trend. To feed a family of four, the family would only need approximately two acres of land. This is land used for farming vegetables and wheat in addition to land used to raise livestock. Both are important aspects to subsistence agriculture.

Subsistence farming is something that takes some time, money, and effort. There is a reason why farmers work as hard as they do: farming is not an easy task. There is a lot of research that goes into the various aspects of farming. How much dairy will the goats produce? How much grain will be harvested for flour and how much will that weigh at the end? There are many questions that have to be examined before deciding subsistence farming is the right path to go.

Subsistence farming in cold climates

In addition to these questions, subsistence farmers in colder climates have a bit more of a challenge to work around. The easiest solution is to focus the farm on plants and vegetables that will grow in colder climates. For example, carrots and beets can survive light frosts but will suffer once the ground hardens. In fact, those two crops actually taste sweeter in the colder temperatures. Even spinaches, lettuces, and mache greens can mature throughout the winter months in most parts of the United States. Each type of crop has an ideal temperature to grow in. While some plants need seventy or eighty degree weather to grow, many can be planted and harvested in much lower temperatures. Study the growing season and craft a plan when to plant and harvest each crop.

Another solution to consider is investing in or constructing a greenhouse or hoop house. For the livestock, consider building a small barn on the property. While it may be a bit pricey to start, the subsistence farming will save such a significant amount of money long-term that the initial cost is more than worth it.

Greenhouses are structures mostly made up of glass or clear plastics and will trap the sun’s energy and heat inside, effectively raising the interior temperature. This is a small work-around for the new farmer who isn’t quite willing to change his or her diet to produce grown explicitly in cold weather climates. Keep in mind that the entire farm should not consist of greenhouses, as they are expensive to build and require more effort to upkeep. Hoop houses are typically the go-to over greenhouses as they are mostly only plastic and can host a large section of land for a much lower cost.

Caring for livestock

For livestock in colder climates, roughage (or hay) is a great food source, as it is usually cheap to grow or purchase and produces heat to the animal during digestion. If no hay is available, especially during winter season, have wheats, oats, barley, and corn available. Don’t feed the animals from the ground, as nearly half of the food will be wasted. Consider getting a trough for feeding. Blankets will also keep the livestock warm through the harsher winters.

Be sure to keep a steady supply of water available to the livestock as well, since frozen water is not a good source of water for animals. Livestock can survive colder climates if taken care of properly, so don’t be afraid to let the animals graze outside during the winters now and then. The fresh air will do them wonders and will allow the farmer to keep the bedding fresh and safe.

Both crops and livestock are possible to manage in colder climates. Just because the temperatures are not ideal for the average subsistence farmer, does not mean that farming is impossible. It may be slightly more challenging, but still very much worth it. Remember to do the research and be willing to put the time, money, and effort into it. The farm is only as successful as the farmer is willing to allow.

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Outside of writing for EverythingBackyard I love to spend all the time I can outdoors and find every excuse to leave my house. I write about everything from backyard DIY projects to gardening. If you can’t get a hold of me I am probably on a trail or a boat.

This article first appeared on offgridworld.com Check it out here

This Little House is Absolutely Incredible – and it’s Made From Hemp!

May 7, 2018 by chris

This beautiful little home in Australia, called Skyfarm, was built with hempcrete – a hemp-based bio-composite material. In their search for nontoxic components to use in the construction of their living space, the designers, Michael and Tiffany Leung, chose hemp after researching their options. Hemp is a completely safe building material that boasts countless benefits for use in construction and for the environment.

The primary driving force that led Michael and Tiffany to find a safe building material was the fact that Tiffany’s father, an architect, died of mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Michael is also an architect, and Tiffany studied building biology to learn more about constructing nontoxic homes safe for both occupants and those involved in the building process.

Hemp is a wonderfully versatile plant that has applications across several industries, from clothing to body products to fuel. As a building material, hemp is mixed with lime and water to create hempcrete, a healthy and sustainable alternative to many traditional building materials.

Hempcrete is an amazing insulator that also helps regulate moisture. In addition, it is rodent proof, insect proof, and earthquake resistant. These qualities, combined with the fact that it is completely nontoxic, make hempcrete an attractive building option with a bright future.

Hemp is a very old building material that has been used for hundreds and hundreds of years, but after the various conspiracies to knock it out of the market have suddenly subsided, hemp seems to be having a resurgence and I certainly believe it’s a material for the future. – Michael Leung

Hemp is not quite the same plant as marijuana; they are different species within the same plant family. Hemp grows taller and faster than marijuana, and it has a low level of THC. Hemp requires much less care than marijuana, and because it can thrive in a wide variety of conditions, it makes an ideally sustainable option for the construction industry.

In this part of Australia, hemp is organically grown by farmers who get 3 to 4 crops a year from the plants. The plants are dried and sold in bales. Builders then mix the dried hemp manually to form the hempcrete, which is tamped down between forms for the walls.

The most astounding fact of hemp is that it’s carbon negative. It sequesters carbon out of the atmosphere whilst it’s growing and when it’s in place in the wall. The effect to our environment is hugely positive. To have a plant that can grow organically with no chemicals, that conditions the soil with deep tap roots, doesn’t need much water to grow, that can then be cut down and manually processed without the use of big machinery and transportation is a game changer.

Homes in this subtropical region of Australia where the Leungs reside are prone to mold growth. The hemp material from which the walls of this house are formed transfers moisture from inside the home to the outside while also insulating the home from the heat of the sun. This ability to provide superior insulation while remaining breathable is just one of the many virtues of hempcrete.

At 646 square feet, the Leungs have found that their little house is the ideal size for their family of four. The open floor plan allows for beautiful, multifunctional spaces in just about every area of the home. This was meant to be a temporary living space for the family until they built a larger house, but they have found that, thus far, it suits their needs perfectly.

A variety of timber types make up the features inside the house. Most of the materials and objects were locally sourced or salvaged. According to Michael, nothing in the home is really new; almost everything is recycled or reclaimed.

The Leung’s children have their own little area in one corner of the home with room for their beds, toys, and clothes. Up the beautiful spiral staircase sits the loft, which serves as the parents’ room.

Since the build of this home, the couple has founded Balanced Earth, a building company dedicated to using hemp and other nontoxic materials in their construction projects. They have created some truly marvelous buildings, including beach houses and pool houses.

See the tour of this lovely hemp home in the video below from Living Big in a Tiny House. See more of the Leung’s hemp building projects at Balanced Earth.

This article first appeared on offgridworld.com Check it out here

A-Frame Tiny Guest Cabin in Montana Built for $700

May 1, 2018 by chris

At just 80 square feet, this solar powered A-frame tiny cabin in Montana is minimalist perfection, and it was built for the shockingly low cost of $700. Photographer and travel blogger Alla Ponomareva and her husband, who had built a tiny cabin before this one, searched for plans to build a second tiny guest cabin on their property. This tiny A-frame concept caught their attention, and once they started, it took only about 3 weeks to complete.

The plans for this cabin came from Derek “Deek” Diedricksen of relaxshacks.com. If you’re a fan of tiny houses, you’ve probably heard of him; he is an author, host of HGTV’s Tiny House Builders, and host of hands-on tiny house workshops. We’ve featured his work before, including this tiny cabin built for $300.

My hubby and I came across one of Deek’s creations this spring, while browsing tiny shacks online. This particular A-frame was so adorably tiny, yet multi-functional that it made us pause and take notice. Unlike other designs, it had a transformation element which increased its square footage and gave it an undeniable character.

One thing Deek is known for is using reclaimed materials on his tiny house builds. That is how this particular A-frame cabin was built on such a low budget; much of the wood, nails, roofing, and windows were salvaged scraps or recycled from other projects. The beautifully aged wood on the cabin door, for example, came from an old deck. The biggest cost that went into the construction of this cabin was the solar panel, and those have come down in price since the time of this build.

Perhaps the most charming feature of this cabin is the wall/roof that can be propped open to bring the outdoors in. The deck – also built with salvaged scraps of wood – adds additional outdoor living space to the cabin. This area of Montana has very few mosquitos, making this the perfect space to enjoy summer nights outdoors by the light of the moon and stars.

Inside the cabin you’ll find two built-in beds, a countertop built from salvaged wood, and some shelving space along one wall and above the door. The pillows and mattress covers were handmade to match the pop of mint and coral colors the builders chose for the cabin interior.

From start to finish this project took about 3 weeks to complete, recycling and upcycling as much as we could. In total, this A-frame cost us about $700…That’s the beauty of reusing materials and building small, it’s inexpensive, quick and so much fun!

Though the lack of a kitchen and bathroom would prevent most from using this cabin as a full time residence, its low cost and tiny size make it an ideal starter project for beginner builders. Can you imagine having this as a backyard retreat, weekend getaway cabin, or studio? I sure can!

Read more about the building of this cabin on Alla Ponomareva’s blog. We love seeing tiny house projects like this, especially when they use recycled materials!

This article first appeared on offgridworld.com Check it out here

Top Ways to Preserve Earth’s Draining Fuel

April 28, 2018 by chris

by Arindam Paul

Fossil fuels make up about 85% of the global energy system. However, the ever-increasing demand for energy is putting a lot of strain on these finite energy reserves of our planet. Fossil fuels are non-renewable and are rapidly running their course by the minute. Today, fossil fuels have mostly reached their ‘peak’ production point, thus, making extraction of these energy sources costlier and tedious.

Furthermore, burning of fossil fuels is bad for the environment. Harmful pollutants such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, etc. are released into the air, escalating the problem of air pollution. Thus, it is becoming increasingly essential to find alternative energy resources to meet the global energy demands as well as minimize the adverse environmental effects.

We can conserve energy resources by making small adjustments in our daily habits and adopting a greener lifestyle. Not only would this stop the finite resources from depleting, but it would also have a significant positive impact on the environment.

Here are five steps you can take to help conserve Earth’s draining energy resources:

1. Adopt An Energy Efficient Lifestyle

You can turn towards an energy efficient lifestyle by performing simple actions like turning off appliances when not in use; unplugging chargers; insulating water heaters to minimize heat loss and energy wastage; running full loads of clothes and dishes in the washing machine and dishwasher; weather stripping your home, and so on. Also, replacing conventional electrical appliances with their energy efficient counterparts will help save a lot of energy while reducing your annual energy costs. For instance, replacing incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs and conventional fans with energy efficient ceiling fans can help you save energy and also reduce your utility bill.

2. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

The first obvious step to conserve energy resources is to reduce their consumption. Use appliances only when necessary and turn them off when not in use. Minimize your usage of plastic since the manufacturing of plastics requires petroleum. When going grocery shopping, you can carry a bag and avoid taking a plastic bag from the retailer. Encourage e-bills and receipts as it helps cut down on the use of paper, thereby saving our valuable forest resources. Drink filtered water and not bottled water as the plastic bottles keep piling up in landfills. Many household items can be reused such as glass containers, coffee jars, etc. You can use these to store dry food items (nuts, spices, sugar, salt, etc.). Adopt the habit of recycling old goods like plastic bottles, glass containers, paper, etc. Instead of throwing away your old electronic appliances like microwave, ceiling fans, and TV sets, you can donate them to charities or the needy.

3. Opt For Public Transportation

Automobiles are the greatest consumers of fossil fuels. As more people begin to use personal vehicles, the consumption of fuel only scales up. By traveling through public transport (buses, trams, metros, etc.), you can not only reduce the fuel consumption but also reduce the harmful emissions from automobiles. Carpooling with others is also a good option. Also, try walking and cycling for covering shorter travel distances. This way you stay fit while helping conserve the energy resources.

4. Choose The Green Lifestyle

Sustainable living practices go a long way in energy and environmental conservation. A green way of living entails that you respect nature and try to create a balance between your needs and the natural resources. Opt for environment-friendly products that do not contain harmful chemicals. Start composting your organic waste. It will not only serve as rich manure for your garden but will also considerably reduce the amount of waste that ends up in a landfill. Plant lots of saplings and encourage others to do the same. Trees and plants play a pivotal role in maintaining the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

Choosing renewable and clean energy (wind energy, solar energy, etc.) to power your home is also a great option. Installing solar shingles or panels on your roof and solar devices (solar fans, solar lights, solar ovens, solar air conditioning, etc.) can very efficiently power up the devices in your house. Same goes for small wind systems. These sources of energy are not constrained and if tapped wisely, can prove to be very resourceful.

5. Conserve Water

Water is extremely essential for our survival. Although it seems that water is an abundant resource, only about 2.5% of the Earth’s water resource is fresh water. Thus, it is important to conserve water in any way we can. By taking a few simple measures, you can save water, such as taking short showers, turning the tap off while washing the dishes or brushing your teeth, and fixing leaky faucets and water pipes, and so on. Also, rainwater harvesting is a great way to conserve water. Instead of letting the rainwater get wasted as runoff, you can collect it in clean tanks and containers and use it to wash your car and water your plants.

Spread The Word

When more people are educated about the need to conserve energy resources, they will be inclined to act more responsibly. Do your part by spreading awareness about energy conservation and people will follow your lead. Remember, positivity can be contagious!

Incorporating these little changes in your lifestyle can significantly benefit our environment. If everyone cooperated, any change, no matter how small, will eventually create a big difference.

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Arindam Paul is a founding member of Atomberg Technologies, a startup working towards creating unique energy efficient and tech savvy products. He is currently heading the Marketing and Long term strategy division at Atomberg and is aiming to disrupt the world of household appliances.

This article first appeared on offgridworld.com Check it out here