75 things you didn’t know you could compost

By Colleen Vanderlinden, Planet Green

The basics of composting are simple. Most people know they can compost fruit and vegetable peels, leaves, and grass clippings. But what about that tea bag you used this morning? Or the fur that collects in the brush when you groom your cat?

The following list is meant to get you thinking about your compost possibilities. Not every item on the list is for everyone, and that's fine. Imagine how much trash we could prevent from going into the landfills if each of us just decided to compost a few more things.

Here are 75 ideas to get you started.

From the Kitchen

1. Coffee grounds and filters
2. Tea bags
3. Used paper napkins
4. Pizza boxes, ripped into smaller pieces
5. Paper bags, either ripped or balled up
6. The crumbs you sweep off of the counters and floors
7. Plain cooked pasta
8. Plain cooked rice
9. Stale bread
10. Paper towel rolls
11. Stale saltine crackers
12. Stale cereal
13. Used paper plates (as long as they don't have a waxy coating)
14. Cellophane bags (be sure it's really Cellophane and not just clear plastic -- there's a difference.)
15. Nut shells (except for walnut shells, which can be toxic to plants)
16. Old herbs and spices
17. Stale pretzels
18. Pizza crusts
19. Cereal boxes (tear them into smaller pieces first)
20. Wine corks
21. Moldy cheese
22. Melted ice cream
23. Old jelly, jam, or preserves
24. Stale beer and wine
25. Paper egg cartons
26. Toothpicks
27. Bamboo skewers
28. Paper cupcake or muffin cups

From the Bathroom

1. Used facial tissues
2. Hair from your hairbrush
3. Toilet paper rolls
4. Old loofahs
5. Nail clippings
6. Urine
7. 100% cotton cotton balls
8. Cotton swabs made from 100% cotton and cardboard (not plastic) sticks

Personal Items

It might be a good idea to bury these items in your pile. Just sayin'.

1. Cardboard tampon applicators
2. Latex condoms

From the Laundry Room

1. Dryer lint
2. Old/stained cotton clothing -- rip or cut it into smaller pieces
3. Old wool clothing -- rip or cut it into smaller pieces

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Five green ways to unclog a toilet

Of all the misfortunes that can befall us in our everyday lives, few come with the same blend of horror and indignity as staring down into a toilet that refuses to flush. As the water level in the bowl rises ominously, we plead, we pray, we hope against hope that the problem will somehow miraculously resolve itself and we will be spared the mortification (and mess) of a spillover. And when you're a guest in someone else's house, you plead and pray at least 10,000 times harder.

The only consolation in this dreaded scenario is that it happens to all of us. And, in the end, it might make for a good story for your closest friends to enjoy. But take heart, there are some simple solutions for this always-untimely event.

The following are five time-tested and green tricks that have worked wonders for many a poor soul, listed here from the easiest to the hardest.

 

1. Do nothing but wait, then flush.

Toilets, like all plumbing drains, work by the force of gravity. A full bowl of water exerts its own pressure on the clog and, over time, often will clear the clog for you.

So if you have more than one bathroom in the house, just wait it out overnight, or as long as you can. Then, try to flush again. If it's a standard clog (too much paper, in most cases), this passive solution is surprisingly effective.

Warning: When you do the test flush after the waiting period, be ready to stop the water flow to the bowl (see Top Toilet Tip, below), just in case this method doesn't work.

 

2. Pour in some hot water. Wait. Flush.

If you don't have the time to wait out the clog, or if you'd like to increase your chance of success by giving gravity a helping hand, you can pour a few cups of hot water into the bowl.

Proponents of this technique believe that the hot water helps to break down the waste, thereby loosening the clog. Can't hurt to try.

However, this doesn't mean you should be pouring pots full of boiling water into a cold, brittle, china toilet bowl, which could crack it. Hot water is a far more ecological choice than pouring corrosive chemicals down your drains.

 

3. Add soap. Wait as long as possible. Flush.

This is clearly the preferred method when you're not at home and would do anything to avoid having to break the news to your hosts. A few good squirts of ecological dish soap is perhaps the most popular method, but again, if you're a guest and not alone in the house, it can be hard to explain why you have a sudden need for dish soap in the bathroom before you're ready to join the party again.

Other lucky souls have reported that liquid hand soap or shampoo have done the trick nicely, too. The theory here is that the soap breaks down the waste faster than water alone. When it's time to flush, be ready to stop the water to prevent spillover.

 

4. Plunge like a pro.

First of all, standard cup-type plungers don't work well on toilets because they can't provide a good seal over the drain hole. Instead, use a flange plunger, which has a rubber sleeve that extends down below the domed cup, or boot, section. Flange plungers with accordion-like boots work well, too.

Make sure the flange is extended (it can fold up into the boot), then lower the plunger into the toilet at an angle so the boot fills with water and isn't trapping air. Insert the flange into the drain hole and press down so the boot seals tightly around the hole.

Make the plunge action count on both the downstroke and upstroke, since both forces will help loosen the clog, and maintain a good seal at all times. If you have no success after several tries, let the clog sit and try again. Still no luck? Time for an auger.

 

5. Use a closet auger.

A closet auger, or toilet auger, works just like a standard drain snake but is specially designed to accommodate the sharp turns of a toilet trap without damaging the bowl (which standard snakes can do).

Work the business end of the auger into the drain hole, with the bend in the handle pole pointed toward the drain route. Crank the tool's handle clockwise and work it in and out a little to break up the clog.

If a solid object, such as a sponge or rag, is creating the clog, crank the auger clockwise to snag the obstruction, then pull it out of the toilet.

 

Top Toilet Tip:

Instead of standing by feeling helpless as a clogged toilet threatens to overflow, take action: Quickly remove the tank lid, reach into the tank and close the flapper -- the round, rubber trap door that seals over the big hole in the bottom center of the tank. This will stop the flow of water into the bowl.

Alternatively, you can close the shut-off valve to the water supply line. It's on the wall behind the toilet, near the handle side and several inches above the floor. It has a football-shaped handle that you want to turn to the right, just like a faucet. Be warned, however: Old valves can be stuck and corroded, and turning them may cause some leakage.

 

Related:

• Clearing Clogged Drains
• Water-Saving Tips for Your Toilet
• 7 Ingredients to Ban From Your Bathroom
• 10 Fast and Green Fixes for Beauty Emergencies

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24 common plants poisonous to pets

Pet owners know that dogs and cats often have a penchant for eating strange things. Cats often gravitate toward plastic or wool, and many a dog will chew on whatever it can get its chops around. And then there are plants. Whether garden plants, houseplants, plants in the wild, or flowers from the florist -- plants can provide a tasty and tempting diversion for animals, one that can be at odds with your pet's health.

To prevent poisoning by cut flowers or house plants, avoid placing toxic ones in your home where pets may be able to access them. Or better yet, avoid buying flowers and plants that are known to be toxic. Outside plants are trickier, especially if your dog or cat has a wide range to roam.

For dogs, the animal science department at Cornell University suggests adding bran flakes to his food or switching her diet to one higher in vegetable fibers to deter cravings for vegetation. The only other thing to do is to watch your dog's behavior when walking outside, and try to prevent them from munching on vegetation unless you know it is harmless. When you see symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, difficult breathing, abnormal urine, salivation, weakness, and any other abnormal condition, take your pet to the veterinarian because he may be poisoned.

You can use this list, which has been compiled using information provided by Cornell University and the ASPCA, as a guide to what plants and flowers to keep your eyes open for. The list is by no means exhaustive, there are a number of other toxic plants, but this covers the top offenders. (For a complete list, visit the ASPCA website.)

 

Aloe vera
Great for burns, toxic to cats and dogs. Who knew? If you keep an aloe plant on hand for burns, make sure to keep it out of reach for your pets.

Symptoms: Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, anorexia, tremors, change in urine color.

 

Amaryllis
Pretty, common as a garden ornamental and a very popular potted bulb for the holidays ... and toxic to both cats and dogs. Be careful with the bulbs; they contain the most toxins. 

Symptoms: Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, anorexia, tremors.

 

Azalea/rhodedendron
Not only toxic to cats and dogs, this popular garden staple is also dangerous for horses, goats, and sheep -- and ingestion of just a few leaves can cause serious problems.

Symptoms: Acute digestive upset, excessive drooling, loss of appetite, frequent bowel movements/diarrhea, colic, depression, weakness, loss of coordination, stupor, leg paralysis, weak heart rate, and recumbency for 2 or more days; at this point, improvement may be seen or the animal may become comatose and die.

 

Baby's breath
This sweet filler of many a floral arrangement seems innocent enough, but not so innocuous when it comes to your pet's digestion.

Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea.

 

Begonia
This popular garden and container plant is toxic to both dogs and cats. The tubers are the most toxic part.

Symptoms: Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue, and lips; excessive drooling; vomiting; difficulty swallowing.

 

Carnations
The carnation isn't the most poisonous of the bunch, but it's ubiquity in floral arrangements makes it one to keep your eye out for.

Symptoms: Mild gastrointestinal signs, mild dermatitis.

 

Castor bean
Not in everyone's garden or bouquet, but castor bean plant is a popular landscaping plant used in many parks and public spaces. Watch out for it on those dog walks.

Symptoms: Abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness, and loss of appetite. Severe cases of poisoning can result in dehydration, muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, coma, and death.

 

Chrysanthemum
It's not likely to cause death, but it is a popular plant and can cause quite a bit of discomfort. In certain cases, depression and loss of coordination may also develop if enough of any part of the plant is consumed.

Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, dermatitis.

 

Cyclamen
These pretty flowers are popular in the garden and in pots -- and they are toxic to both cats and dogs. The highest concentration of the toxic component is typically located in the root portion of the plant.

Symptoms: Gastrointestinal irritation, including intense vomiting. Fatalities have also been reported.

 

Daffodil
Most people aren't going to let their pet chow down on pretty daffodils, but who knows what may happen when you turn your back. These harbingers of spring are toxic to cats and dogs; the bulbs being the most toxic part.

Symptoms: Vomiting, salvation, diarrhea; large ingestions cause convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors, and cardiac arrhythmias.

 

Gladiola
Although gladiolus are great in the garden, they are more popularly used in floral arrangements -- since it is the corm (bulb) that is most toxic to dogs and cats it may not present much of a problem, but still...

Symptoms: Salivation, vomiting, drooling, lethargy, diarrhea.

 

Hosta
If you have shade in your yard, you may have a host of hostas. I've seen many hostas unbothered by dogs and cats, but the plant is toxic to both -- so make sure your pet doesn't have a taste for them.

Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, depression.

 

Ivy (California Ivy, Branching Ivy, Glacier Ivy, Needlepoint Ivy, Sweetheart Ivy, English Ivy)
I really can't see a dog or cat approaching a wall of ivy and begin munching away, but then again, some of the things I have heard about pets eating have really surprised me, so be warned. Ivy foliage is more toxic than its berries.

Symptoms: Vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, diarrhea.

 

Lilies
So lovely, so fragrant, so dangerous to kitties! Members of the Lilium family are considered highly toxic to cats, even when very small portions are ingested. Many types of lily (Tiger, Asian, Japanese Show, Easter, Stargazer, Casa Blanca) can cause kidney failure in cats. Curiously, lilies are not toxic to dogs.

Symptoms: Kidney failure.

 

Milkweed
For the sake of the monarchs, I really hope you will plant milkweed in your garden, but ... dangit, it's quite toxic to dogs and cats. (You can help monarchs in other ways, though: First Aid for Butterflies.)

Symptoms: Vomiting, profound depression, weakness, anorexia, and diarrhea are common; may be followed by seizures, difficulty breathing, rapid, weak pulse, dilated pupils, kidney or liver failure, coma, respiratory paralysis, and death.

 

Morning glory
It somehow doesn't surprise me that morning glory can cause hallucinations -- and although cats on catnip are cute, cats and dogs experiencing rubber reality? Not so much.

Symptoms: Gastrointestinal upset, agitation, tremors, disorientation, ataxia, anorexia, hallucinations.

 

Oleander
Being a native of southern California, I've known forever that oleander is pretty, and poisonous -- but I never knew how severely it could affect cats, dogs, and even horses. All parts contain a highly toxic cardiac glycoside (much like digitoxin) and can cause a number of problems.

Symptoms: Colic, diarrhea (possibly bloody), sweating, lack of coordination, shallow/difficult breathing, muscle tremors, recumbency, and possibly death from cardiac failure.

 

Poinsettia
"Beware the poinsettia," pet-owners have been told ad nauseam. But guess what, they are totally overrated in toxicity! The ubiquitous holiday decoration may cause discomfort, but not the alarming panic that has been described. Read Can Poinsettias Kill Your Cat? for more about the Poinsettia myth.

Symptoms: Irritating to the mouth and stomach, sometimes causing mild vomiting.

 

Pothos
Not the most toxic plant on the list, but it's such a popular houseplant that is should be noted that cats and dogs can both have adverse reactions to chewing or ingesting it.

Symptoms: Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue, and lips; excessive drooling; vomiting; difficulty swallowing.

 

Sago palm
If you live in a temperate region, chances are that you have sago palms around. They are a very popular landscaping plant, and also do double-duty as a popular bonsai choice. They are apparently very tasty to animals, and unfortunately highly toxic -- all parts are poisonous, but especially the seeds.

Symptoms: Vomiting, melena, jaundice, increased thirst, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, bruising, coagulopathy, liver damage, liver failure, death.

 

Tomato plant
Is there anything better than the smell of tomato plants on your hands after you've picked fresh tomatoes? Not so for your dog or cat. Although tomato plants probably won't prove lethal for your pet, they can provide a good dose of discomfort.

Symptoms: Hypersalivation, inappetence, severe gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, drowsiness, depression of the central nervous system, confusion, behavioral change, weakness, dilated pupils, slow heart rate.

 

Tulip/narcissus
It's the bulb of the tulip and narcissus plants that have the highest concentration of toxins. This means: If you have a dog that digs, be cautious. Or, if you are forcing bulbs indoors, make sure they they are out of reach.

Symptoms: Intense gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions, and cardiac abnormalities.

 

Yew
The bark and leaves of this very popular evergreen provided the basis for the cancer-treatment drug, paclitaxel -- but general ingestion of any part of the tree (except the flesh of the berry) can be very dangerous to animals. Horses have an especially low tolerance to yew.

Symptoms: Central nervous system effects such as trembling, lack of coordination, and difficulty breathing. It can also cause significant gastrointestinal irritation and cardiac failure, which can result in death.

 

For more information, see:

• Does Your Cat Eat Strange Things? Poison Safety Kit for Pets
• 10 Foods Poisonous to Pets
• Pet Cancer Warning Signs
• First Aid for Pet Burns and Scalds 

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