Yahoo! Answers

We’ve all been on dates whether blind or otherwise we couldn’t wait to end. Finding someone you like is hard, and not all dates turn out to be romantic and fun. Imagine the worst date you’ve ever had, and now imagine that date captured via social media.

That’s exactly what happened to a North Carolina couple who were dining at an Olive Garden Restaurant in Pineville. Adam Howell, was at the restaurant on Sunday evening when the bickering couple caught his attention. He tweeted a picture with the caption: “A grown ass man is mad at his girlfriend at Olive Garden & has made a menu fort.” Who hasn’t built a menu fort around themselves?

Kidding aside, we’ve all had moments when we’ve fought with our loved ones and acted in a childish or obnoxious way. The man in the picture is probably embarrassed that his behavior is now a thread on Reddit, and being discussed on the news and various internet sites. It’s a stark reminder that your private and embarrassing moments are only a smartphone snapshot away from being broadcast on the internet.

What do you think of the picture, is it ridiculous that it became a news story and just a reflection on our oversharing culture or is it just a new form of the old fashioned grapevine?

Please leave a comment below.

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Recycling and composting are the two best ways to reduce the EPA’s estimated 4.5 lbs. of garbage each American sends to the landfill each day. In fact, over half the stuff the average person throws in the trash can actually be recycled or composted.

Below are a few of the most common items people think are recyclable and/or compostable but actually belong at a landfill.

Recycling:

Plastic Bags

This is a tough one since current recycling technology offers the capability to recycle plastic grocery bags, but very few facilities utilize this technology at the moment.

A California-based company called MBA Polymers specializes in handling hard-to-recycle plastics like plastic bags. It uses a 30-step process to sort the various plastics and recycle it into small pellets. These small pellets are then used to make things like electronics and car parts.

Current recommendations for plastic bag recycling are contradicting. A 2010 article published at MNN.com specifically states to avoid composting or recycling plastic grocery bags and Earth911.com states that plastic grocery bags are ok to recycle.

So, the best approach is to contact your local recycle center or hauler and ask if they accept plastic bags for recycling. If not, toss them in the trash can. Plastic should never end up in your compost bin.

Pizza Boxes

Cardboard is great for recycling but not when it’s all greasy. Why? The paper and cardboard recycling process involves adding water to create a slurry mixture. Since grease and water don’t mix, the grease sits on top of the slurry and doesn’t allow the paper fibers to separate from the grease.

So, the best approach here is to avoid putting any type of greasy or oily paper/cardboard item into the recycle bin. Grease or oil on glass, metal or plastic is a different story. These items are melted during the recycling process, which rids the material of grease and oil.

Used Napkins/Paper Towels

Like pizza boxes, used napkins and paper towel should go in the trash, not the recycle bin. Paper products with grease, butter, oils or cleaning chemicals can disrupt the recycling process for reasons mentioned above.

Used napkins and paper towels may be good for composting, however. Just make sure the used paper towel or napkin wasn’t used for cleaning (unless you use homemade cleaning solution like vinegar) and isn’t saturated with grease, fat, butter or oil.

Composting:

Eggs

Keep eggs out of the compost pile to avoid attracting pests and to keep the compost from smelling bad. The same holds true for any type of animal product, such as meat, fish, bones, milk, cheese and fats.

However, egg shells themselves are great for compost. Egg shells contain a high level of calcium, which is an excellent nutrient for growing healthy plants and vegetables. The key is to wash the egg shells before adding to the compost pile. This helps get rid of any residual egg white/yolk.

Charcoal

Ashes are good for compost piles, but not all ashes are created equal. The good ashes are from wood burning fires while the bad are from charcoal fires. No type of coal should find its way into your compost bin.

Charcoal and coal in general, contain substances that are toxic to the microorganisms in the soil. These microorganisms are the key to breaking down the composting materials to form nutritious humus ideal for growing grass, flowers and other plants.

Magazines

Magazines fall into a category referred to as “mixed paper” along with things like cereal boxes, phone books and greeting cards. Mixed paper means exactly that; the paper product uses multiple types of paper and fiber lengths.

Magazine composting is sort of a quandary. Some types of magazines are actually beneficial when shredded and added to compost piles, according to a report published by the EPA. The “good” magazines include those that use eco-friendly inks (it may specify this in the front or back cover of the publication), or those that do not contain any of the specialty, high-gloss inks.

If you’re unsure about which magazines are good for composting and which are bad, it’s best to simply trash it. It’s not worth risking your entire compost harvest.

Joe Eitel is a web content writer for Hometown Dumpster Rental, the leading online resource for finding local dumpster rental and junk removal service providers nationwide. Check out the Hometown Dumpster Rental Blog for industry news and eco-friendly tips.

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Common Dumpster Rental/Junk Removal Questions Answered by the Pros

What sized dumpster do I need for roofing cleanup?

Dumpster rentals typically come in 10, 20, 30, or 40-yard capacities. Some rental companies may offer varying sizes, but these are the most common. When replacing roof shingles, choosing the right dumpster size depends upon two main factors: how many layers of shingles are on the roof, and the square-footage of the roof.

A 10-yard dumpster may work well for smaller roofs up to 1,500 square-feet. Larger roofs up to 3,000 square-feet require a 20-yard dumpster or possibly larger. These estimates are based on removing a single layer of shingles, so choose a slightly larger dumpster for roofs with multiple layers.

LINK: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqVGMCJb1kVAs4hx.c9YgRojzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20080723122910AAtxPJQ

How much does a dumpster generally cost?

Dumpster rental prices vary depending upon several factors, including the location, size, material, tonnage charges and landfill fees. For instance, a 20-yard dumpster in San Diego may cost $625 for a seven-day rental while the same sized dumpster in Detroit costs just $420. The keys to getting the best price on a dumpster are calling multiple dumpster rental companies to compare prices, as well as inquiring about any and all applicable fees that are in addition to the base rental rate.

Many dumpster rental companies charge a landfill fee, which is an extra fee priced per ton. Be sure to ask if the base rental rate includes landfill fees, in addition to inquiring about possible overage charges, fuel surcharges and charges on handling certain materials. Some companies may offer an out-the-door pricing structure while others charge extra fees, so it’s important to ask about all fees when price shopping for the best deal.

LINK: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqoeggNXG6QRBPEVyiO5S6IjzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20091121191227AAJS7IJ

How can I dispose of a broken TV in the City of Chicago? Can I put it in a regular dumpster?

You should never throw a television, or any electronic device for that matter, in the dumpster. TVs contain levels of certain toxic substances, including chromium, lead and mercury. When a TV enters the municipal landfill system, there’s the potential these toxic metals leach into groundwater or emit toxic chemicals into the air when incinerated.

There are several more eco-friendly ways to get rid of an old TV. First, if the TV still works, donate it to your local Goodwill, Salvation Army or other local charitable organization. Otherwise, just set it outside your home with a “Free” sign on it – somebody will take it! If the TV is broken, check Earth911.com for a recycling center near you that accepts TVs.

LINK: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Av59fzRf_TFllFS7nsfn.u4jzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=1006030903119

Is mold on drywall considered Hazmat – Hazardest waste?

Mold is potentially dangerous when inhaled, especially for young children, the elderly and those with poor immune systems. Moldy drywall is certainly considered a health hazard and should be handled as so. Always wear a respirator mask and gloves when working around mold.

If you plan to remove more than a few sheets of moldy drywall, it’s best to consult a mold removal professional, or call in a junk removal service that specializes in this sort of cleanout. When renting a dumpster to dispose of the moldy drywall, be sure to inform the rental company you plan to put moldy material in the dumpster. While this usually won’t be a big deal, some dumpster rental companies may require that you place each moldy piece of drywall into a plastic bag or have you follow another type of containment procedure.

LINK: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ai90ISV8J_Ks3MkUo7Zxy9AjzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=1006052224983

What is the best method for de-cluttering your home?

Whether it’s a single closet or an entire house, the key to de-cluttering a space is not getting overwhelmed. It’s easy to see the problem from a macro perspective, and that can prevent you from achieving success. So, break the space into smaller sections that make the cleanup a far more tangible goal to achieve.

Instead of tackling the entire room, divide the room into easier-to-manage sections and focus on de-cluttering each section before moving to the next. It will help you feel a sense of triumph each time you complete a section.

A cluttered home is a hint that you simply have too much stuff. So, some of the stuff has got to go. Divide items into three piles: sell, donate or trash. Get rid of items you never use or haven’t used in over a year.

After you complete the de-cluttering process, it’s important to put a clutter-prevention strategy in place. One useful rule is to get rid of an item every time you bring a new one home, such as getting rid of the old coffeemaker when a new one is purchased. Another useful tip is to spend 15 minutes per day de-cluttering tables, countertops and bathrooms while dinner is cooking or during commercial breaks when watching your favorite TV shows.

LINK: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqoeggNXG6QRBPEVyiO5S6IjzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20080313200309AAPZWii

Thanks for reading,

Guest blogger:

Joe Eitel is a web content writer for Hometown Dumpster Rental, the leading online resource for finding local dumpster rental and junk removal service providers nationwide. Search Hometown’s extensive dumpster rental listings for free and find reputable roll off dumpster rental companies in your area. Also check out the Hometown Dumpster Rental Blog for industry news and eco-friendly tips.

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**Secret Revealed**

You probably don’t think about it much, but if you did, you’d notice that it often feels like one nostril or the other is always plugged. That’s completely normal for about 70% of adults.

Assuming you’re healthy, your “plugged” nostril actually allows a tiny amount of air through and your other nostril handles the rest. After an average of 2.5 hours, the cycle will shift and use the alternate nostril as the primary source of air. The following scan shows one nasal passage mostly blocked and the other mostly open.

For a long time, Eastern medicine has had theories about the purpose of this cycle and a number of exercises that involve moving air through a specific nostril. On the other hand, Western scientists didn’t come up with a physiological purpose for this phenomena until more recently.

Research indicates that the high/low flow approach in the two nostrils optimizes your sense of smell. As you’ve probably discovered first hand, or shall we say finger, the inside of your nose is lined with mucus. This mucus continues deep inside your nasal passage and is very important; it acts as a barrier and helps protect your brain from infection. But, it also means that something you smell has to be absorbed by the mucus before you can smell it.

This mucus absorbs different chemical compounds at different rates. Therefore, some smells are better detected when they are absorbed in more concentrated levels in the slow moving airstream of your plugged nostril while others are better smelled when absorbed in lower concentration through the fast moving airstream of the other nostril.

Humans have about 1.6 sq inches (10 cm²) of smell receptor cells in our nasal passage. By contrast, dogs have 17 times more space dedicated to these same receptors, and in greater density, which explains why their sense of smell is so much better than ours.

Chad Upton is the editor-in-chief of Broken Secrets and an official Yahoo Answers contributor.

Thanks for reading,

Sources: wikipedia (Nasal Cycle, Olfaction)

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