Recycling in the Home

apprentice_tycoon

MrsB wrote:

Not sure if this strictly counts, but it sure helps...

I dry out all my used t-bags, then, once they're fully dry, I cut a slit in the back and empty out all the leaves. I collect them all in a bag and once I have enough I'll be sending them to South Africa.

There's a group of ladies in a project in SA who use the empty t-bags to make gifts to sell to make a living. They stick the bags onto boxes / cards etc and then paint them to make beautiful designs.

http://www.tbagdesigns.co.za/team.htm

I love the idea that my rubbish is helping ladies in South Africa build a future for themselves and their families, and giving them a life they may otherwise never have had. Personnally I cant think of a better definition of 'recycling'.

I Have the postal address to send these to, if anybody's interested I'll post it.

I have never seen anything more extraordinary, how did you find this one?- who would have thought that there would be a use for used and emptied teabags.....please post the address Mrs B and I'll start putting them aside to send off, I put them in the compost at the moment but they don't disintegrate properly so they look very tatty amongst all the plants

MrsB_2

apprentice_tycoon wrote:

I have never seen anything more extraordinary, how did you find this one?- who would have thought that there would be a use for used and emptied teabags.....please post the address Mrs B and I'll start putting them aside to send off, I put them in the compost at the moment but they don't disintegrate properly so they look very tatty amongst all the plants

They had a lady talking about it on Terry Wogan's slot on Radio 2 on the 'Pause for Thought' bit. I had a look at the website and then emailed the lady who organises it, and she mailed me her address. The beauty of it is that even though you need to post them to South Africa the postage is next to nothing because the t-bags weigh so little.

Here's what the lady emailed out as a response to all the queries she got:

We use ALL shapes and sizes – round ,square, even the “doubled up” tagged tea bags open up into a lovely long [bookmark size] canvas.

Firstly, the tea bag has to be dried thoroughly.

The second step is to snip or tear a small opening in the back of the tea bag and empty out all the tea.

The tea bag is then ironed flat [we can do that so don’t worry].

Then simply pack the bags into an envelope or package and send them off.

The relevant address is:

Original T-Bag Designs
Unit 4
Kronendal Office Park
Main Road
Hout Bay
7872
Cape Town
South Africa.

se999

Sorry to be a bit of a wet blanket/teabag on this idea, but is it actually green to post all these used teabag outers to Africa.

The cost of postage and the theoretical enviromental shipping expense in green miles does seem excessive.

Also the website says the teabags are all used African ones dried in the African sun.

Maybe it might be greener to carry on composting locally , and donate to the group the amount you would have spent on postage, they're currently trying to raise money to expand into silk screen printing and other areas.

I'd always be a bit wary in case an odd dampish used bag got in the batch, and they got some mouldy ones!!

Edit - The original link did include a link to their news page thanking a school for a donation towards the silk screen printing, so they do appreciate help in all forms:

http://www.originaltbagdesigns.com/news.htm

MrsB_2

Blimey SE999.

Do you know I never stopped to think for a second about the cost involved. I saw the opportunity to help someone and I took it.

The reason they were featured on the radio in the first place was to ask for people to donate t-bags as they have a huge shortage of them.
I just posted to let people know that there are always uses for things that may seem like rubbish to us, and to offer another alternative to throwing them away. If it's not something you feel comfortable with then definitely dont do it. I do and I do. Each to their own.

PS - not sure if you looked at the first link i posted which was actually incorrect and has been amended, but the website says that the t-bags are collected both locally and abroad. I have to say that on reflection I dont feel too badly about the environmental impact of sending t-bags to South Africa - it's not as though they're going to charter a plane just to take my little package.

se999

I wasn't saying don't help, I was just saying maybe transferring the postage cost direct to a bank account may result in more benefit to the group, as they do want to start more projects using other techniques and need cash for equipment.

The whole idea of recycling and environmental cost is that all the little things add up, including little packages.

MrsB_2

I'm really not sure I want to get into a debate with you about the ethics of this.

As I said, I posted information that was designed to inform and open up new opportunities to people if they chose to adopt the ideas. There is no reason at all for anybody to do anything that sits uncomfortably with them, we're all able to make that decision for ourselves.

The reason that I havent made a monetary donation is simple. The appeal I heard was for t-bags not cash. These ladies are taking a great deal of pride in the fact that they are running a growing business, not a charity.

DO_YOU_KNOW_DAVE

I have'nt read the website information, but I agree with se999 about green miles. it seems quite silly to be sending a waste product of such little value half way around the world. Its great there are people like MrsB around and are prepared to help others but could your efforts be directed better. Like se999 said the postage money would speed up the process of getting a silk screen quicker.
Hope they'll be using water based inks and not solvent based!

super41

Personally I think it's a lovely idea - transferring the money is not the same thing at all. You are going to the effort to save these and send them off to help others who are helping themselves. As for excessive miles, I can't think your parcels will weigh much and take up much space to send. Probably not much more than a letter!

bargainqueen_2

Please let's not argue about the ins and outs. Each to their own, those who like the idea should do it, those that don't shouldn't, everyone happy. The end.
Anyway, just remembered, I collect the wrapping paper I am given presents in and reuse them for others' presents. The paper that is a bit too crumpled etc. gets a quick iron and is used to wrap school textbooks etc.- makes them much better looking!

se999

What is your house doing when you're not using it?

It sounds a silly question, but it is sensible to ask, really!

When we had young children, we couldn't afford a 'real' holiday, so house swapped with relatives in a different area. After that we automatically offered our house to family/friends if we weren't using it.

Then a few years ago we saw one of the House Exchange programs, I think it was called Home From Home and joined https://www.homelink.org.uk

It is supposed to be eco-friendly, because the more people who do it the less hotels will be built, and your impact in an area should only be about the same as a normal resident, other than you tend to go out a bit more to sightsee and eat out a bit more. We've found we also tend to use public transport more, because people normally leave an info pack with timetables, maps and local guide books to use whilst you're there. You also in true moneysaving style save money on not paying for accomodation

We've now done normal exchanges, non-simultaneous exchanges (i.e. our house was empty, and we'll use there's at another time), hospitality exchanges (where couples stayed in our spare room), house sat and are currently renting in France a teachers house which they aren't using for the summer (we're between houses so can't exchange at the moment, and needed somewhere very cheap to rent for the summer). This year we've also used up IOU's for hospitality exchanges and going to use one up for a non-simultaneous exchange.

We've met some super people too, and done things we'd never have done normally because only locals know about the things.

Yes camping is eco-friendly too

P.S. For people with children especially it supposedly works best if you find a family that matches, i.e. children the same ages approx (for toys/safety gear), or no children at all.