Want To Adopt The Zero-Waste Lifestyle? Start With Binchotan Charcoal Sticks
Posted on: 24 September 2021
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, each American produces roughly 4.9 pounds of waste every day, which resulted in 292.4 million tons of waste in 2018. These alarming statistics are a huge reason why some people have adopted the Zero Waste lifestyle, which is a movement that focuses on generating as little waste as possible by minimizing the use of disposable plastics and paper while incorporating a recycle-whenever-possible approach.
If you would like to start incorporating this lifestyle into your everyday life, one way to start is by using binchotan charcoal sticks. Here's a basic introduction of what they are and how to use them in water and around your home.
Why Binchotan Charcoal Sticks Work as Water Filters
Binchotan charcoal sticks are made by burning bamboo, wood, or other substance without oxygen, which chars the substance and makes it charcoal. After it's charred, the sticks are heated at a high temperature which makes the sticks extremely porous, at which point the sticks become activated charcoal. The porous nature of the sticks increases the surface area. This is important because the surface area is what attracts impurities and binds the impurities to the sticks in a natural process called adsorption.
Replace Your Water Filtration Pitcher
Most water filtration pitchers use plastic that cannot be recycled unless you are able to open the plastic container to remove the used charcoal stick or other filtration substance from the container. By switching to binchotan charcoal sticks, you can reduce the amount of waste your home generates from the plastic cartridges of a water filtration pitcher.
Due to the large amount of surface area that can adsorb impurities, binchotan sticks can remain effective in purifying water for as long as several months, provided that you regenerate the sticks every few weeks by following the manufacturer's directions.
By not needing to replace the cartridge of your water filtration pitcher on a regular basis, you also will reduce the amount of paper product waste your home generates as well since the cartridges are packaged in boxes. Binchotan charcoal sticks usually are purchased in minimalistic packaging due to the popularity of the sticks in the zero waste movement.
Recycle Your Used Binchotan Charcoal Sticks
When it's time to replace the binchotan charcoal sticks that you use to purify your water, here are a number of beneficial ways to use the sticks after they've served their purpose of filtering your water.
You can use the sticks to deodorize your refrigerator or use them as room deodorizers. The sticks absorb odors as well. You can break the sticks into smaller pieces and use them in various items to deodorize, such as stinky gym shoes, a gym locker, or your vehicle. You can place the stick directly onto most surfaces without worrying about any potential damage. However, be sure to check the manufacturer's directions first.
Another way to use and reuse your charcoal sticks is in your bathtub as your detoxification and relaxation routine. The sticks can be used to detoxify your body as well as to detoxify your water and deodorize the air. As you soak in your bathtub, the sticks absorb toxins and help to improve your circulation.
Break the sticks into pieces and place them in your garden. The sticks will help alkalinize the soil and provide minerals to the soil and the plants. If you use them in your vegetable garden, be sure to boil the sticks beforehand to remove the impurities it adsorbed when it was used as a water filter.
In conclusion, using binchotan charcoal sticks can be a viable stepping stone to adapting to the zero-waste lifestyle.
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