Is this going overboard?

No, it's not.

And the soap is beneficial in controlling insects.

My parents save all of the rainwater in big trashcans to use in their gardens and planting beds. So. Cal is an arid area and getting the most use of water isn't crazy or obsessive.

 

I don't think it's going overboard either. it's very conscientious of you! it may be of matter to you that you select soaps that don't have any petro chemicals present like propolyene glycol (hope i've spelled that right) for the benefit of you and your garden. i can't see any other problems and you have to be conserving a ton of water!

 

I like learning about new ways to conserve all resources. This site has been highly educational to me in terms of "waste" and reclaimation. Maybe we should re-title this and get folks to come up with the conservation techniques they use at home. Would be a great data base.

 

That's great. Keep it up. We put a bucket in the bathtub, under the nozzle, to collect water as it warms up prior to showering. When the bucket gets full, we use it to flush the toilet. Saves us about 5 gallons a day.
Rainbarrels are a great way to water the garden for free.
Bob

 

Although not with the Prius yet, I used to wash the car using a sponge and a bucket of water, no soap. That way I could empty the bucket into the plants.

I like Bob's idea of using the cold bath water for the toilet.

 

Everybody's OCD about something. I rescue recycleable stuff from trash cans on a regular basis and at night I'll stop my car in my neighborhood if I see a recycleable (usually soda cans and bottles) in or on the side of the road.

 

I still bend over to pick up pennies.

I LOVE having exact change at the checkstand because I have the right number of pennies.

We put all our used tea bags and coffee grounds directly in the garden.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(burritos @ Jun 27 2006, 01:07 PM) [snapback]277505[/snapback]</div>

Yes, you could go the easy route that Tony suggests... but I like your solution better. Some folks actually pay MONEY to lift weights and climb stairs. Here you get the workout for free AND you're saving water. How cool is that? And I always love to ask this: Why do gyms have parking lots? And... why are they always full of cars? A neighbor drives is car 1.5 miles to the gym, and then rides the stationary bike for half an hour... then drives home. We live in an area that has bike friendly weather about nine months out of the year.

But I digress...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tripp @ Jun 28 2006, 12:27 AM) [snapback]277914[/snapback]</div>

You guys are great! Now I don't feel bad about some of my less-radical (but still not mainstream) conservation practices.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(burritos @ Jun 27 2006, 03:30 PM) [snapback]277621[/snapback]</div>

I have a friend who set up a system in his backyard that allowed him to capture the water from his washing machine. He is very into conservation of that sort (composting most garbage, etc) but not gas. Wife drives SUV and he has an old Mustang and a Truck. He does use his bike sometimes though.

I turn off lights when not needed, recycle anything that someone will pick up. I don't have space for composting. I try to be aware of paper plates, plasticware etc. And, of course, I drive a Prius!! (it has been wickedly hot here and for the first time ever the tank took 10 gallons. I am still a mid-forties person but happy)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Jun 28 2006, 05:55 AM) [snapback]277979[/snapback]</div>

Hey... new rule here on PC. When you quote anything I write, you must first proof-read it and correct all my typo's. Good lord, I can't type my way out of a paper bag some days...

But anyway... your post reminds me of a thread we had a while back about bicycling. Somebody asked what the other shoppers at the grocery store think when I arrive there with my shorts, helmet and gloves. Wow. I've never given it a second thought. This is my main mode of transportation, and this is how I dress every day. I haven't caught anybody laughing at me yet, that's for sure. When I see my neighbor show up in his Escalade to buy a head of lettuce, I have trouble not rolling my eyes, however.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nerfer @ Jun 28 2006, 12:19 PM) [snapback]278171[/snapback]</div>

Good lord, man! Don't feel bad, please. There are folks out here who drive battery cars and grow their fuel on the roof! You're still mainstream, my friend.

 

I don't know about you guys, but I have better things to do with my time. Time is too valuable to waste in our short lives.