Recently, Mary Jo, a TBG reader, asked for specifics on getting rid of cardboard on a boat. One of her questions was about wine boxes. I wrote an article with lots of tips on how I stripped cardboard from various products, and said that many wine boxes actually had a bladder inside and that I just removed it and used it without the box. Mary graciously provided several more photos of the wine box for me to post here. She and her husband are in Punta Gorda, FL, aboard Fantasy II , their Hunter Cherubini 37. You can start with any plastic food storage box that’s about the same size as the wine box. Ones made of soft plastic, such as the Tupperware or Rubbermaid ones designed for cereal work really well — the soft plastic isn’t as likely to crack as the ones made from hard plastic. And you don’t really need a lid with a pour spout (they’re usually cheaper without). I like the 21-cup/5-liter size because some wines do come in bags as large as 5 liters, so they’ll always fit. If you always get wine in smaller bags, you may prefer a smaller box. Mary’s husband drilled a pilot hole in the plastic, then used a jigsaw to make a larger hole that the pour spout would fit into — basically, the same arrangement as the cardboard box had. I’m sure you could also use a Dremel to make the hole, although it would come out more square-ish. In case you’re new to boxed wine, with this system you need to buy the boxes that have a bladder inside the box, as in the photo. Generally, the box is labelled with some reference to its pour spout. Widely available brands include Black Box and Franzia, although there are a host of others. There are also some “boxed wines” that are more like milk cartons with a plastic spout and screw-on cap — these don’t have an interior bladder and you can’t remove them from the box until you’re ready to drink them. Mary says that for the “wine cellar” (aka extra bags of wine), she discards the boxes before bringing them aboard and puts each bag in a plastic box (without a hole for the spout) of its own. Should one leak (very unlikely, but never say never . . . ), the wine will all be in contained in the box and not create too big of a mess. Be sure to use boxes with tightly sealing lids so that if one does leak, it can’t slosh out on a rough passage. Mary has a perfect space behind one of their settees for a wine cellar with several boxes!

May 21st, Hamlin (in San Francisco) welcomed Mexican-American writer and Santa Clara University Professor, Francisco Jimenez. In the early 1950’s Dr. Jimenez worked alongside his parents in the fields of California as an undocumented child laborer. He went on to graduate from Columbia University with a Ph.D., work with Cesar Chavez, and write the autobiographical books The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child, Breaking Through, and Reaching Out. The San Francisco Chronicle has called his work “moving and must-read, ” and renowned author Rudolfo Anaya called his stories “so realistic they choke the heart.” At Hamlin, our 6th graders read The Circuit as part of an interdisciplinary unit that combines literature and social studies. An eighth grader recalled loving the book, stating that it was “told from a young person’s perspective that I could relate to and gave me a better understanding of the social justice issues facing migrant workers.” Having Dr. Jimenez visit was a very special way to complete the learning experience. Dr. Jimenez began his talk by asking how many people in the room had a parent or grandparent who had been born in another country. Many hands went up, demonstrating how close we all are to the immigrant experience. He went on to describe the intimate details of his youth, living out of cardboard boxes, moving from tent camp to ramshackle abodes, following the strawberries, grapes, cotton, and carrots, based on the various picking seasons. He shared what it was like to be a 6-year-old in the fields, working, and watching his parents literally break their backs for pennies per pound picked. While in migrant worker camps, Dr. Jimenez learned storytelling firsthand from folktales told by highly intelligent workers who never had the opportunity to go to school. Listening to these stories sparked his creativity at an early age. Later, when he was in 10th grade, his teacher Ms. Bell said that he had “writing talent.” Dr. Jimenez ended his talk by telling our students, “The Mexican immigrant experience is an important and integral part of the American experience. It is part of your history. What is the identity of our nation? Its identity consists of all the experiences of all the diverse groups that make up our society. ….the plight of child labor still happens in this country. Have compassion, have compassion.” After his talk, I had the opportunity to sit down and speak with Dr. Jimenez. I was interested to learn how he was able to support his family and excel in high school at the same time. He would begin his day at 6am working for an hour to an hour and a half as a janitor cleaning the Western Union and Betty’s Fabric’s before going to school. After school from 3:15pm to 4:45pm he would study in the school library, then he would clean offices from 5pm to 10pm, often staying an extra hour until 11pm to finish homework. On weekends he would continue his work as a janitor 8 to 10 hours on both Saturday and Sunday.

0 Shares A man in Japan proves you don't have to pay for an expensive home entertainment system to enjoy your own private movie theater. Here's how he did it. Forget emptying your pockets of your hard earned money to set up a home entertainment system. All you need is cardboard and a smart phone. Follow these steps and you'll be able to watch your favorite movies as though you were in a dark movie theater. It might not look that cool, but the closed space will provide you with surround sound. And if the small screen on your phone is a problem for you, you can use your tablet. In which case, it's recommended that you get yourself a bigger piece of cardboard. 1. Any large cardboard box will do. 2. Cut out the top of the box. 3. Cut out room for your head. 4. Cut out the shape of your smart phone. 5. Tape up a support area for your phone.

This large bulk shipping cargo container, also known as the 'Gaylord Box' - is a two, three or four-walled large cardboard container used to transfer bulk product in one container. Although they come in varying sizes, they're usually approximately 48" x 40" x 36" (approx. 120 cm x 100 cm x 90 cm) to fit on a standard shipping pallet. Utilizing these containers to combine several small shipments into a single shipment increases shipping efficiency. A Gaylord box can hold large amounts of product and are strong enough to hold an incredible amount of weight. Since these containers when loaded can weigh in excess of 1000 lbs, they are stored on wooden pallets, commonly known as skids, which can be moved easily with a small forklift. These Gaylord shipping boxes are easy to load and unload. Due to the strong design of the container, they can be stacked on top of each other (certain types). We have both new and used Gaylord boxes. Combines several small shipments into one single shipment Cost efficient for bulk shipments and storage New and used retain strength Extremely strong - designed to hold large amounts of weight and product Square or octagonal in shape Gaylord shipping boxes can be reused or recycled Easy to assemble - can be folded flat for easy storage

Cutting transport costs? A woman in China loaded her tricycle with hundreds of cardboard boxes Witnesses said some 200 empty plastic boxes were tied to the tricycle - which resembled a lorry from the side. The stunt would have been considered a serious traffic violation had she been caught by police. Some passing motorists stopped to take photos while others kept their distance in case the boxes came tumbling down on to their cars. Pictures of the perilously-overloaded tricycle quickly went viral on Chinese social media. Balancing act: Some passing motorists actually stopped to take photos while others kept their distance in case the boxes came tumbling down on to their cars Commenting on the photos, one person wrote: 'She is a danger on the road and should not be allowed to carry the boxes like that. 'If she crashed, she could injure herself but also cause problems for other people. She should use something bigger to transport the boxes or pack them flat.' One called her the 'snail woman' because she would have to drive so slowly. Another asked: 'What if the boxes collapse on her while she's riding the tricycle?' Online hit: Pictures of her perilously-overloaded tricycle quickly went viral on Chinese social media Menace: Stunned drivers were forced to give the determined tri-cyclist a huge birth as she wobbled along the road with the staggeringly huge load attached to her vehicle Loading up: The woman was pictured loading the tricycle with box after box in the city of Dongguan Precarious: She was seen using a wooden stick to prod the boxes at the top of the towering pile At least they were empty: The incident took place in the city of Dongguan, in south China's Guangdong Province Spectacle: The stunt which would have been considered a serious traffic violation, had she been caught by police

Using cardboard in compost is a rewarding experience that makes great use of boxes taking up space. There are different types of cardboard to compost, so knowing what you are working with beforehand is important when learning how to compost cardboard boxes. Can I Compost Cardboard? Yes, you can compost cardboard. In fact, cardboard waste makes up over 31% of landfills, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Composting cardboard is a practice that is becoming more popular now that people are beginning to realize the benefits of composting. Composting cardboard is perfect if you have just moved or if you are cleaning up the attic. Types of Cardboard to Compost Advertisement Corrugated cardboard – This is the type usually used for packing. Any type of corrugated cardboard can be used in compost as long as it is broken into small pieces. Flat cardboard – This type of cardboard is most often found as cereal boxes, drink boxes, shoe boxes and other similar flat-surfaced cardboards. Wax-coated cardboard – These types include cardboard that has been laminated with another material, such as wax (coated paper cups) or non-degradable foil lining (pet food bags). These types are more difficult to compost. Regardless of the type used, shredded cardboard works best when using cardboard in compost. But, if you cannot shred it, just rip it or cut it up as small as you can. It is also a good idea to remove any tape or stickers that will not break down easily. How to Compost Cardboard Boxes It is critical that all cardboard to be composted is broken into small pieces. Large pieces will not decompose as quickly. Also, soaking the cardboard in water with a bit of liquid detergent will help to speed up the decomposition process. Add a 4-inch layer of nitrogen rich materials on top of the cardboard such as fresh grass clippings, horse or cow manure, spoiled vegetables or fruit peels. Add a 2-inch layer of soil on top of this layer. Continue to layer in this fashion until the pile is approximately 4 cubic feet. It is imperative that the compost pile be kept about as moist as a sponge. Add more water or cardboard depending on how wet it feels. The cardboard will soak up any excess water. As you can see, learning how to compost cardboard is easy. In addition to being a great soil conditioner for plants in the garden, you’ll find that using cardboard in compost will help keep unwanted trash from piling up.

For 75 years, Finland's expectant mothers have been given a box by the state. It's like a starter kit of clothes, sheets and toys that can even be used as a bed. And some say it helped Finland achieve one of the world's lowest infant mortality rates. It's a tradition that dates back to the 1930s and it's designed to give all children in Finland, no matter what background they're from, an equal start in life. The maternity package - a gift from the government - is available to all expectant mothers. It contains bodysuits, a sleeping bag, outdoor gear, bathing products for the baby, as well as nappies, bedding and a small mattress. With the mattress in the bottom, the box becomes a baby's first bed. Many children, from all social backgrounds, have their first naps within the safety of the box's four cardboard walls. Image caption A 1947 maternity pack Mothers have a choice between taking the box, or a cash grant, currently set at 140 euros, but 95% opt for the box as it's worth much more. The tradition dates back to 1938. To begin with, the scheme was only available to families on low incomes, but that changed in 1949. "Not only was it offered to all mothers-to-be but new legislation meant in order to get the grant, or maternity box, they had to visit a doctor or municipal pre-natal clinic before their fourth month of pregnancy, " says Heidi Liesivesi, who works at Kela - the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. So the box provided mothers with what they needed to look after their baby, but it also helped steer pregnant women into the arms of the doctors and nurses of Finland's nascent welfare state. In the 1930s Finland was a poor country and infant mortality was high - 65 out of 1, 000 babies died. But the figures improved rapidly in the decades that followed. Mika Gissler, a professor at the National Institute for Health and Welfare in Helsinki, gives several reasons for this - the maternity box and pre-natal care for all women in the 1940s, followed in the 60s by a national health insurance system and the central hospital network. Contents of the box Mattress, mattress cover, undersheet, duvet cover, blanket, sleeping bag/quilt Box itself doubles as a crib Snowsuit, hat, insluated mittens and booties Light hooded suit and knitted overalls Socks and mittens, knitted hat and balaclava Bodysuits, romper suits and leggings in unisex colours and patterns Hooded bath towel, nail scissors, hairbrush, toothbrush, bath thermometer, nappy cream, washcloth Cloth nappy set and muslin squares Picture book and teething toy Bra pads, condoms

If you are regular here, you know meltdowns and sensory overload tend to be very regular things in our house. A few months ago we were at our wits end, and decided we really needed a safe, quiet space that would encourage our son to use it when we has getting overstimulated or frustrated. Since we regularly make recycled crafts and my oldest son loves anything space related, it was a no brainer to create a cardboard rocket ship! I was pretty sure it was going to be the perfect calm down sensory retreat for Legoman, but also be a great place for creativity, pretend play, and reading fun! I had no clue just how popular it would be. {THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS TO MATERIALS I RECOMMEND. ANYTHING YOU PURCHASE THROUGH THESE LINKS HELPS SUPPORT LEMON LIME ADVENTURES. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR CHOOSING TO SUPPORT US.} After presenting my idea to the boys (age 6 and 8), I googled as many cardboard rocket instructions as I could find, and finally decided to make our own variation. I love to involve the boys in the planning and engineering of any of our projects, so naturally I had Legoman draw out his plans for our future cardboard rocket ship. Luckily we had just gotten our new printer in and had the perfect box. You can use any large box, I know some people love refrigerator boxes or washing machine boxes. I was a tad worried our box would be a little too small, but it turned out that it’s size was absolutely perfect for giving a tight squeeze! Materials Needed To Make a Cardboard Rocket Ship Cardboard Boxes (We used one Large and One small box) Exacto Knife for cutting details and holes out Duct Tape (We used decorative tape, because, well…. Its pretty) Aluminum Foil (optional) Additional Materials to Turn your Rocket into a Squish Box To learn more about squish boxes, be sure to check out A Sensory Life where she gives more great examples and explains all the benefits! If you just want to use your rocket for creativity and a special book nook, I know it would work well for those reasons too! Like I already mentioned, we turned our cardboard rocket ship project into a family affair. Legoman got completely geared up in his construction gear, Bones was ready to help, and Super B couldn’t wait for her brothers to finish. Although it didn’t actually help get the project finished any faster, it made Legoman feel completely in control of this new space he was building and felt a great amount of pride as he sawed, sanded, and hammered his box. Now it was time to get to work on turning our boxes into a REAL ROCKET SHIP! The first step was to measure and mark all of the corners on our box flaps. We measured an equal distance from the outside edge to make sure that all of the flaps would fold up nicely. This will vary depending on the size of your box. Both boys worked diligently together to mark the lines and then cut off the triangle corners. We got some kid-friendly saws and construction tools a few years back and have been waiting for just the right project to use them on. I scored the lines with an exacto knife and then let the boys do the rest. If you have younger children, you will want to make a judgement on what your children are able to manage and what tools you feel comfortable letting them use. Once all the corners were cut off, we folded up the flaps and taped the corners together with Duct tape.

Established in 1992, Fast Pak Packaging is now a leading independent producer of corrugated cases / die-cuts and point of sale material, offering customers a vast range of packaging types and sizes and genuinely tailor made service. The vigorous development of the company reflects its total commitment to providing exceptional service and the finest quality cardboard boxes to each and every one of our customers. An Unlimited Range of Packaging Supplies Constant reinvestment in leading edge technology has ensured that Fast Pak is able to produce corrugated packaging supplies in a virtually unlimited range of styles and sizes. If you don’t see the design you want in these pages, just let us know your requirements – however unusual or urgent. With our in house design resources, sophisticated and versatile production equipment and years of hands on experience, it’s more than likely we can help. As you will find out our business is based on quality and service, meaning you will always receive the very best packaging supplies when you order from Fast Pak. Specialist Packaging Supplies Located near Manchester, we supply our cardboard boxes to customers based across the UK. Wherever you are nationwide, choose Fast Pak for all of your packaging needs.

A UK-based company with a reusable alternative to single-use cardboard boxes has announced plans to enter the North American market. Notbox makes lightweight shipping enclosures that come in a variety of sizes and fold flat for easy storage and backhaul. There’s also an insulated version for specific industries such as healthcare, and Notboxes are available for leasing or purchase. The global packaging industry is worth some $424 billion and North America accounts for 28 percent of this market. Currently, cardboard is used to ship roughly 90 percent of all products in the U.S. Notboxes are positioned as an eco-friendly alternative to the billions of single-use cardboard boxes used each year throughout global supply chains. According to the company website, after ten uses, a Notbox will have saved the CO2 equivalent of almost four industry standard cardboard boxes being manufactured, plus the disposal of nine. Each Notbox is expected to be used up to 20 times, after which they are 99.058 percent recyclable, the company says. “Reducing corrugated cardboard excess is one of the fastest and most effective steps a company can take to reduce waste and is high on the corporate agenda, ” said Thomas Hellman, the new Chairman and President of Notbox North America. "Consumers will place a greater value on recyclability and the perceived 'greenness' of packaging and increasingly demand proof of sustainability claims, such as lifecycle analysis data and carbon footprint exposure, and that opens up an enormous market for Notbox.”