Regarding rags and landfills, we had a volunteer for awhile who was into chemistry, and they were keen on developing a simple process for cleaning rags whereby they would be agitated in a sealed container filled with a readily available, affordable, and reusable solvent, probably gasoline. The solvent was supposed to cause the grease and oils to settle out, and in combination with the agitation would cause the particulates to also settle out. The system would have been maintained by periodically scooping out the sediment.
I think dry cleaning for garments has a similar system, cleaning with a specialized chemical (as opposed to water and soap) which get reused.
We didn't create a prototype because we hadn't yet imagined a way to dry the rags without filling some area with fumes, or just in general offgassing heavily into the ecosystem (which a vent hood would facilitate). But perhaps a reader out there has an idea to solve for that and wants to take this idea somewhere.
The general idea was to separate rag "dirt" into a powder/silt that, being very small in volume, was less of a burden on landfills. I certainly like the idea in principle.
~cyclista Nicholas
On 2023-07-12 18:35, Gregory Ferguson via TheThinkTank wrote:
Hi
Parts washer: We use a Zep parts washer (Dyna clean model, about $3k) and a harbor freight one (about $150). The Zep one is clearly better, and it gets the most use, but I can't say if it's worth the price difference.
The main difference we noticed was when we switched from mineral spirits to a biodegradable, non toxic degreaser. It's nice to not to have to worry as much about proper venting, long gloves, eye protection, etc. But, I'm sad to say that the healthier stuff does not degrease or clean nearly as well.
Regs: We have an arrangement with a car detailer. For fear of scratching customer cars, they start with new rags and only use them once. So, they give the used ones to us by the garbage bagfuls. Since the rags are already recycled, we don't feel so bad about tossing out the ones we get the grungiest.
Hope this helps, Greg Long Island Bike Co-op
On Wed, Jul 12, 2023 at 11:08 AM Yellow Bike Project via TheThinkTank < thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote:
Yellow Bike Project in Austin is investigating the purchase of a parts washer. Maybe a 15-20 gal capacity with a pump, and possibly a heater. We currently use donated rags and T-shirts with simple green to hand clean parts and frames. We do not launder the rags,but just send them to the landfill. We are wondering what is the best solution, ecologically and economically. Advice and recommendations are appreciated. Robert, YB Board Memebr
Yellow Bike Project | www.austinyellowbike.org 1216 Webberville Rd Austin, TX 78721| 512-524-5299 Schedule Available Online https://austinyellowbike.org/ "Be the change you would like to see in the world." - Gandhi "Keep Cycling: it is Undoubtedly the Best form of Activism there is." _______________________________________________ TheThinkTank mailing list -- thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe send an email to thethinktank-leave@lists.bikecollectives.org To view this discussion on the web visit https://lists.bikecollectives.org/hyperkitty/list/thethinktank@lists.bikecol...
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