Recycling and Bottle Deposits for Charity

 

In Israel recycling is suggestion, not required. I save bottles, glass and plastic, for the deposit money, but it's not for me. There's a neighbor who keeps bins for people to drop their bottles off, which I do weekly. Then another neighbor collects them in large strong bags, each holding fifty 50. 

This week, I found myself going with that neighbor to a couple of large supermarkets, one in Ariel and the other in Rosh Ha'ayin to get the money. I want to make it clear that she uses the money from the bottle deposits to donate to a charity for IDF soldiers. 

The supermarkets limit the amount of bottles a person could bring to fifty 50-- and they're counted--, so my attendance was necessary. We were able to bring one hundred 100 bottles to each supermarket.

Many, actually most, supermarkets don't have enough space to accept bottles. This is big business, or at least bulky. And obviously they have to send the bottles to somewhere... after accepting them.

I'm glad to have helped. To be perfectly honest, I had an ulterior motive traveling with her. She works near where I had to be...

Caption This!

Your chance to star, but there's no prize.

If you can think of a "caption," please add in the comments, thanks.

Recycling, Don't People Read?

Here in Shiloh, recycling is on the "honor system." It's not like what my parents had to deal with in Great Neck, where people had a multitude of color-coded trash cans. Each can was for a different type of trash, and each can had a different day to be put in an easily accessible place. They also had to tie down the lids, or animals would enter and spread the garbage all over the place. They could also be fined for filling the cans incorrectly. And if they missed the day, they'd be stuck with the trash.

I like it much better here. People are responsible for putting their recycling trash in the correct containers. Some people just use the giant garbage and don't recycle.  But many of us make an effort to recycle our trash.

There are large garbage containers all over the neighborhood and smaller orange ones for Some, like this one for papers and light cartons, such as cereal boxes, have easy to read labels. Other containers are much older, and the labels have long worn off.

Of course, there are people who don't pay attention and fill all the receptacles with whatever, instead of carefully following instructions. Today I saw a milk carton sticking out of the paper bin. So I carefully read the instructions. After listing all the permitted things, paper, letters, cereal/food/cometic/medicine boxes... very clearly it says:

Don't throw in milk and juice cartons!

Recycled Furniture

As you all know by now, we've redone our kitchen. And as is well-known, it's not a cheap project. It cost a lot. Besides that I had a problem even finding suitable professionals to do the job. I wanted a few non-standard things in the kitchen, and I didn't want to knock down walls, change windows etc. We had to use the space that we had. One thing I did was to keep an entire wall of the old cabinets. It's from floor to ceiling, and I call it my "pantry." Since it wasn't connected to the plumbing or cooking, there was/is nothing wrong with it. I just made sure that the rest of the kitchen included its color in the color scheme.

But my real favorite "savings" was to recycle the specially built "table" that was part of the old kitchen. It was my design. It was an "island table" or "peninsula," since it attached to a wall and divided the "L Plan" between the kitchen and dining area. Instead of legs there was a closet. The center of the table was raised and that part was covered with heat proof ceramic tiles, the same as on the walls. The "overhang," which made it a table was on three sides. By using a bench on the long side and chairs, our entire family of seven could even sit there, though it was used more by the kids and their friends. And after the house emptied, it became "my spot." I sat there to prepare food, eat and even watch television.

Once I realized that I would really be making a new kitchen, I immediately saw a new use for it, aka recycling. By cutting off the table/overhangs I had the perfect piece of furniture for my Shabbat Candlesticks. For about a quarter of a century we've been using an old television table. Our kitchen guy agreed to saw off the overhangs, and the carpenter sent me wood to use for a mosaics project to cover the side that had been against the wall.

Thursday night I got the old tv table schlepped out to the recycling corner of our neighborhood, and Friday afternoon someone had already taken it.

Before Shabbat, I managed to clean and polish all the candlesticks and setup everything.

I'm very happy with my recycled cabinet.

Shelves Cleared, Books Out, Almost Gone

When we had our house built and kitchen planned thirty-five years ago, cookbooks, diet books, childcare books etcetera were very important to me and read a lot. In recent years I haven't opened a single one of them. So, even though in the new kitchen, that wall of closets where the shelves are will remain, the books are going. The shelves will be used for my coffee accessories, the French Presses, mugs, whatever fits.

A few months ago when I first advertized that I had cookbooks and others for the taking, some neighbors took some. But now I'm still stuck, so I took them all down, put them in a box and advertised that they're near my door.

 Now, barely twelve hours later, the box is emptier.

Gd willing more books will find customers/readers. Whatever doesn't will be taken to be placed next to the paper recycling box in the neighborhood. 

Nowadays, when I need a recipe, which is rare, I just look on the internet. Even my recipes can be found on the internet, on this blog!

Recycling, Donating Old Scarves

Apparently, I'm not the only one with a houseful of things I no longer need/use but can't bear to throw them out. At least I found a solution for my old scarves, the ones I no longer wear. Some are in perfect condition, but they're old fashioned, a bit frayed or faded. Not even the clothing gmachs, the special low-price charity stores would be interested in them.

A couple of years ago, I found a place that does want old scarves. Those ladies at the Kotel, the Western Wall, who offer women a cover-up. Yesterday I met a group of friends for one of our periodic f2f get-togethers, this time in Jerusalem's Old City. Beforehand, I reminded them that they could donate tichels, scarves at the Kotel. So a few of us brought bags full of them, all styles and colors. They were received with great thanks and enthusiasm, and within a short time, we could see visitors wearing some.

Finally Wore My Hand-Painted Shirt

Months ago I did a project with my older grandchildren, or more accurately, I planned one. I came with a bunch of shirts and sweatshirts for myself* and their whole family. Some were even specially bought the occasion. I decided that we would paint/decorate them.

Photo taken by my husband just before I went to bed when I remembered that there was no photo of me in the shirt.

Well, it was a good idea, but only the youngest, age seven 7, was interested or willing to participate. I just came home with one shirt, which wasn't suitable to the winter weather. Yesterday, before getting dressed, I finally took out my iron, which I hadn't touched for at least a decade, and ironed the shirt to "set the paint." Then I wore it. I hope that is got hot enough, or it will wash out when laundered.

I don't know if my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter have ever worn theirs. But I had always liked this shirt and am happy to have hidden the store logo so creatively. There's still some paint for more fabric projects.

*The idea came to me when I was trying to figure out what to do with all the shirts and sweatshirts I had with the "Yafiz" logo from my six years working there. I had returned the one shirt that I had signed for, but nobody wanted or would wear the others.

Saying Goodbye to...

... my favorite coat.

It's so rare to find a coat that not only is a good neutral color, but neither too heavy nor too light, plus having a perfect selection of pockets, mostly zippered. I bought the coat in New York, the Fall when I had gone there to take my father to live with us in Israel.

I had arrived in New York without a winter coat, since I had already gotten rid of my old one. And during that very hectic visit I managed to use some time I was given to literally run between a couple of stores on the "Miracle Mile," Northern Boulevard to find the best deal on a coat. I don't remember the exact price, but considering that I got about nine seasons of use from it... Yes, it was a great coat.

This year I noticed that the fabric was spontaneously ripping. Everytime I wore it, there were more unpleasant surprises. So, I decided that this would be its last season. Instead of laundering it so it would be clean to wear again, I'd throw it out. But the other day I finally admitted to myself that I looked really awful wearing a coat that was all ripped. There was no reason, and I do have another winter coat, which had been waiting patiently in my closet.

So, before I could have second thoughts I photographed it for this blog and then took it out and hung it on the garbage. Maybe somebody would want it, and I really didn't have the heart to just throw it in the bin. It had served me well.

Before The Storm

Way back when, weather would take us totally by surprise. Sometimes we'd look at a sunset or sunrise and "predict" rain or dry weather, but the odds of our getting it right were about as bad as the weather forecasts on the news. This, of course, predated the internet, computers, smartphones and all the apps.

But in recent years, weather forecasts are sometimes spookily accurate, like when the app forecasts snow beginning to fall at 10am, and it actually does. So now people go totally bonkers "preparing" for forecasted rain storms, blizzards etc. Yes, even me.

Yesterday afternoon I decided to take the recycling garbage to our little neighborhood recycling "center." I noticed a neighbor there:

"Are you also here now instead of tomorrow?" I asked her.
"Yes, if it's going to be stormy, I don't want to leave my house." She answered.

Usually, I get rid of all the boxes, bottles etc right before Shabbat, on Friday afternoon, but I had no desire to go out in the rainstorm if there really was going to be one. Nor did I want all the "junk" to stay in the house.

And, yes, it is raining today, windy, too. I plan on staying home, and I'll do my walking by walking in the house. The forecast is for rain and wind until tomorrow afternoon or evening. Considering that we've had drought most winters in recent years, I'm not complaining. I just pray that our electricity with hold up, since we have no alternative for cooking, heating and light.

Shabbat Shalom U'Mevorach,
May You have a Peaceful and Blessed Sabbath

My Recycling Runneth Over

Before Shabbat I took out a couple of bags of plastic bottles and cardboard to the recycling containers in the neighborhood. Our regional council now has some big orange ones all over next to the regular garbage containers on every street. Unfortunately I found that it was so full, I could only get one small bottle into it, so I had to go hunting for another one.

And there's a spot in the neighborhood near the pool with the huge old plastic recycling container plus some for paper and glass bottles etc.

As you can see, recycling is getting very popular here in Shiloh, although the organizations that are supposed to collect the stuff apparently can't keep up with the supply or is it the demand... so for sure My Recycling Runneth Over.

New and Old in Newark Airport

Yesterday, I spent a few hours in Newark Airport awaiting my flight home. It was nothing like the night I had spent there just two weeks earlier.  First of all the weather had warmed up and snow was no where to be found. Flights were mostly on time, too, and there wasn't an epidemic of cancelled ones.

We're in the 21st Century, which is pretty obvious. Garbage cans are like preschool toys. Fit the correct garbage into the right hole:

"PAPER"
"PLASTIC"
"ALUMINUM PANS"

OK, this can has seen better times. Letters are already missing. OK, it isn't 2001 anymore... 

Electric cart being charged!

There was one "old-fashioned" machine, a public telephone. Not everyone has a phone that can be used in the USA, so although I didn't see anyone using these, there are available.

Recycling? Do You?

Maybe it's what we're used to that seems easiest...

When my parents still lived and owned their home on Long Island, recycling and garbage preparation for collection was so complicated.  They had a slew of color-coded garbage containers that had to be kept hermetically covered, so the garbage stayed in and the animals out.  They also had to make sure the right type of garbage was inserted or the "garbage police" would fine them or something like that.  And on just the right day of the week, the correct can had to be left out on the side of the road, rain, shine snow or sleet.

Here in Shiloh, we have a number of neighborhood garbage disposal things, well-guarded by the felines population on every street, every certain number of homes and also a couple of neighborhood recycling "centers."

 

 

We also have receptacles for paper and cardboard/cartons.  There's no law requiring us to sort and recycle our garbage.  Some people do it and some don't.   One thing for sure.  The recycling receptacles are filling more and more quickly every month, so my guess is that more people have started using them.

A couple of weeks ago, I advertised in our local email that we had quite a few bottles that were available for those who want to use the deposits for charity, and one of the local teachers took them from us.  His class uses the deposits for projects.  I was glad to get them out of the kitchen.

Look What Came To Shiloh!!

First of all, I almost always have my camera strapped to me when I go out of the house.  It's not that I always take pictures, but there's a feeling of "what if...?"  Last night as I was ready to go out, my neighbor asked:

"Would you really feel naked without it?"

I ignored her comment, best as I could...


From a distance, this metal enclosure looked like some sort of animal cage.  When my friend and I were walking (more like shuffling for me) around the neighborhood last night, we spied something new.  She tried reading the Hebrew first.  I was too busy getting my hah! I knew I should have brought it camera out of the case.

"What does this mean?  It looks like it's to collect plastic bottles and bags, but it says, 'לא למחזר Don't recycle.'  That doesn't make sense.  What do they mean by זה מטורף? Zeh metoraff?"

I finally looked at the sign.  Yes, it was clear that this new structure was for collecting plastic for recycling.  What could that sign mean?

זה מטורף לא למחזר

Zeh metoraff lo l'machazor

The actual translation is:

It's insane not to recycle

Yes, Shiloh has joined the international recycling community.

חג פסח כשר ושמח

Have a Kosher and Happy Passover