September/October 1981
By the Mother Earth News editors
The past ten years might well be remembered as the "decade of shortages" ...but if there's one "commodity" that we'll seemingly never run out of, it's empty, nonbiodegradable plastic jugs! And ever since the flexible flagons replaced glass and tin containers way back when, economy (and ecology) conscious folks have been looking for ways of putting them to good use. Here are several ideas that we—with the help of our readers—have devised to help keep the vinyl vessels out of our landfills.
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AUTOMATIC WICK WATERER
When you need to tend to a thirsty plant, but can't be on call every day, an empty milk jug can be just the helping hand you need. Merely fill the container with warm water (and maybe a smidgen of your flowering friend's favorite food), and run an appropriately sized strip of discarded toweling from deep inside the jug to the soil around the roots of your parched companion ...in a pot, a greenhouse bed, or your garden. The terry will act as a wick and transfer the liquid directly to where it's needed!
CHAIN CONTAINER
Whether you pull stumps in the summer or fight snow-covered roads in the winter, a handy chain box will keep your trunk or stowage area shipshape all year round. Simply cut a hand-sized opening in an antifreeze bottle (they're flat-sided and generally tougher than are run-of-the-mill milk jugs) and slide the links inside. It'll keep them quiet, consolidated, and—if you first rub the chain with an oily rag-protected from rust-causing moisture.
ON-THE-ROAD TOOL TRAY
The never-say-die antifreeze jug is also your best choice for an under-the-seat emergency toolbox. Cut a large three-sided flap in one flat surface ...and then stuff the puncture—resistant container full of the most versatile mechanic's hand tools you can find. Of course, to reduce the otherwise inevitable rattling (and to be sure you'll have a means of cleaning up once the dirty work is done), you'll probably want to wrap the implements in a substantial section of cloth before slipping them into the box and stashing it under your car or truck seat.