Analyzing Your Waste: Starting the Journey to Reduction
Let’s break it down.
Before you can cut down on waste, take a look at what you’re throwing away. It’s as simple as going through your trash to see what you toss out the most. This little checkup can tell you a bunch about your habits and where you can make changes.
My Personal Check Up
I collected odds and ends that can’t be recycled in my regular recycling pick up, composted, or put into the Ridwell bags for pick up. The bag I had left was a nice size bag of non compostable, non recycleable materials that are destined for the trash bin. I make conceted efforts I make of careful buying choice, and have multiple ways to recycle many things yet I am still left with a grocery size bag of trash. This is quite a lot when you think I am one person living alone.
The Top of the List Ways to Reduce Waste
Distinguishing between our wants and needs marks a crucial first step on our sustainability journey. This awareness guides us to make choices that benefit the environment. If it’s a want, consider opting for a high-quality, sustainable item that ensures lasting value, steering clear of hasty gratification. Take the time to assess choices, and if needed, save up for a more durable, sustainable option. In a society accustomed to disposability, it requires practice and patience to invest in products meant to last a lifetime. When addressing necessities, let’s train ourselves to swiftly ask, “Is it sustainable?” before searching or shopping, fostering a habit of making stronger sustainability choices. Embrace items with a ‘buy me once’ quality—those designed for longevity. Though it might involve a higher upfront investment, it translates to fewer replacements and, consequently, less waste. Explore second-hand or upcycled gems in thrift stores, garage sales, and online marketplaces. By giving these items a new home, you not only acquire unique treasures but also extend their lifecycle, preventing them from ending up in a landfill.
Shopping Style
Your approach to shopping carries weight. Opting for products with minimal packaging, bringing your own bags, and favoring bulk items all translate to less waste. Plus, the bonus is that cutting down on packaging often means cutting down on costs. It’s not just about what you buy but also how and where you make those purchases. Through intentional choices, you actively play a role in minimizing waste right from the start.
Choosing to shop locally for seasonal items goes beyond supporting your local economy; it also diminishes carbon footprints by reducing the need for long-distance transportation. Selecting fruits and vegetables in their respective seasons ensures freshness while helping to minimize waste associated with transportation and storage.
Paper and Plastic
Cutting back on paper and plastic is a big move. Think about going paperless for bills, notifications, magazines, etc. Use digital tools for lists and notes. For plastic, try out reusable choices like cloth bags, beeswax wraps, and refillable containers.
Shifting to eco-friendly toiletries and cleaning supplies, such as bamboo toothbrushes or bar soaps without plastic packaging, and laundry sheets like Earth Breeze make a difference too. Using simple cleaning supplies like vinegar, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda eliminates most of the throwaway plastic containers. Many of these items are either packaged in glass or paper. If not be sure to recycle correctly.
Implementing Waste-Saving Tactics in the Kitchen
Let’s simplify the kitchen waste challenge and make it more friendly. It’s like a grand performance of waste creation, but I’ve discovered some clever ways to cut it down. Begin with meal planning – it’s not just environmentally friendly but a money-saver too. Plan your week’s meals, create a shopping list, and stick to it. This ensures you don’t end up with unnecessary items in your cart or extra waste.
Personally, I’ve been following a predominantly low-carb diet for a while. Consequently, I mostly avoid packaged goods. Even when I haven’t planned my meals, I know the vegetables, proteins, and condiments I prefer. I tend to navigate the outer ring of the grocery store, avoiding the inner aisles where carbs and packaged goods reside. While everyone’s dietary needs differ, even households with children can make healthier choices by focusing on the outer ring.
Additionally, consider buying in bulk and using your own containers. Being savvy with leftovers is another win – try creating something new from yesterday’s dinner. Keep your fruits and veggies happy by storing them correctly.
Say hello to reusable and compostable containers – they’re like superheroes for waste reduction. Ditch single-use plastics for silicone lids, beeswax wraps, and reusable lunch containers. Use compostable bags for your compost and trash. I’ve used these brands and like them all: UNNI Compostable Liner Bags, ANECO 100% Compostable Trash Bags , and If You Care Compostable Trash Bags.
Next time you replace kitchen sponges try the Public Goods Walnut Scrubber Sponge. These sponges can head straight into the curbside compost pickup – I’ve been using them successfully for months. I usually cut them into smaller pieces since I only need a small one for my dishes. Speaking of which, if you have a dishwasher, it’s always better to use it, even for a half-full load – it saves tons of water. Personally, I don’t have one, so I need to be mindful of my water usage when cleaning dishes.
Composting
Composting works like magic for handling food scraps. Whether you’re peeling veggies or your lettuce is a bit sad, just toss them into a compost bin. There are cool countertop bins with filters available on Amazon to keep smells at bay until you transfer them to the larger bin.
Now, if you have a garden, chances are you already have some form of compost. Stay tuned for our upcoming comprehensive composting article, especially if you’re starting a garden or haven’t implemented a method for composting kitchen waste.
In case your local garbage collector hasn’t included compost materials in their allowable items for yard debris pickup, there are still alternatives. Many cities are moving in the direction of including compostables, so it’s worth checking your garbage company’s recycling rules. If they’ve embraced compostable kitchen scraps in their yard debris collection, that’s fantastic news!
Get a countertop bin and begin, it is a very satisfying feeling to eliminate this from your regular garbage knowing that the result will land in a garden in the community eventually.
Here is what our garbage company does for Curbside Yard Debris Pickup
Yard debris collection is included with regular residential garbage service in urban areas of Clackamas County. After it is picked up, it goes to yard debris recycling facilities for processing into compost. The finished compost is sold as mulch and as a soil amendment for yards, gardens and landscaping. Applying compost to gardens adds nutrients to soils, reduces weeds and saves water.
One option for those who do not have a garden or curbsite pick up of compost is a home food composting machine. I have included links to 4 top models and a good review of the different models.
As we state in other places in our blog we do receive one way we support our work is with affiliate credit for purchases that originate from our links. It would be great if you decide to purchase one of the models we’ve listed come back and click on the preferred option from this article. Thanks so much, we appreciate it greatly.
Here is a review of the top 5 options from a Wired review and here are links to those options:
- The Reencle Prime $499 Plus accessories (available only from Reencle website)
- The Lomi Electric Composter Amazon $399 With accessory
- Vitamix FC-50-SP Food Cycler FoodCycler FC-50 Amazon $399 OR from Vitamix $399
- BeyondGreen Kitchen Waste Composter $499 Only available from Beyond Green Website
Waste Reduction is a Whole-House Game
In each room, there are specific tricks to maintain sustainability. In the bathroom, tackle leaks and transition to low-flow fixtures – conserving water is akin to preserving the planet’s energy. Experiment with shampoo bars that have minimal packaging and opt for bamboo toothbrushes to reduce plastic waste. Laundry day, too, can play the superhero role.Use eco-friendly detergent sheets like Earth Breeze, pack that washing machine to the max, and let your clothes air dry if possible.
When it comes to your wardrobe, consider mending your beloved jeans instead of discarding them – it’s a savvy move to cut down on waste, and if they’re not truly dirty, give them a repeat wear. Personally, I’m actively addressing this aspect of my sustainability journey; the habit of tossing everything into the hamper daily is a work in progress. Discover a go-to consignment shop for those moments when your wardrobe needs a refresh. Browsing through my favorite spot often yields incredible finds. Ensure that your gently used clothing finds new homes by donating them to consignment or reputable thrift stores that prioritize selling over discarding. Additionally, across the US, services are emerging that collect hard-to-recycle items right from your curb for a fee. I use Ridwell, a service that responsibly recycles my clothing items.
If you aren’t sure where you can recycle something check Earth 911
Setting up a recycling system at home is like having your own waste superheroes. Label the bins, boxes or bags you are using so your family knows where things go. With everyone on the recycling team, it becomes second nature.
But here’s the grand finale – don’t keep your waste wisdom to yourself. Join community clean-ups or share your knowledge in educational programs. When you teach and learn together, you’re part of a big movement for conservation and living sustainably. Be a waste reduction superhero you’ll add enjoyment and maybe make a few new friends too!
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