Imagine if washing machines were as inefficient as dishwashers - that is to say, you had to rinse each item of clothing off before you put it in the washer?
Perhaps disposable utensils have stifled the proper development of the dishwasher? What's really needed is a steam or ultrasonic removal process with traps to catch the particles for composting (before any chemicals are added).
Or in the other direction, why are there not more disposable clothes? Most disposable clothing is pretty poor quality (uncomfortable synthetic suits for laboratories seems to be the one major market). While I wouldn't want to encourage our throw-away society, what's really happening is we're throwing away (or giving away) clothing that is probably over-built for the lifespan for which it is kept. Take t-shirts given away at foot races or other events. What we really want is the artwork for our archives. The t-shirt holds some bragging rights, but many runners have an overabundance in their collection, and it's the history and the art that's the part desired for collection - yet the t-shirt is attached, so we hang on to the shirt long after it gets holes. Is there a better answer?
Monday, February 13, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
Energy savings - tire change?
Random thoughts... How much energy would a typical SUV or truck save by switching snow tread for slicks? But changing tires is a pain in the ass. What if you could push a button and hydraulics would lift the chassis and pop off the tires? Motorhomes have hydraulic levelors ; the Hummer has an inflate/deflate option. Wouldn't an easy-change tire option be nice ?
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