Trash in Pasta Bags, January-April, 2016

January through April 2016's Trash in Pasta Bags

Coming off a positive year for waste reduction - I accumulated less than 10 pounds of trash which I contributed to the landfill - I began 2016 with a resolution to reduce my waste even more.  As of the end of April, I am on pace to accumulate between 8 and 9 pounds of waste during the year.  As I've said before, this is only the waste that I am contributing directly to the local landfill.  It does not include the waste that I flush down drains or the waste that grocery stores, restaurants, and other businesses with which I do business contribute to landfills.

So how can all of us reduce our production of waste that ultimately ends up buried in holes in the ground? Here are some ideas:

1. Reduce consumption.  In our disposable society that often emphasizes instant gratification, this can be a challenge.  When I am out shopping, I am tempted by many of the goodies that line store shelves.  I am especially tempted by specific food items.  Whenever I am tempted, however, I take a step back and ask myself whether I really need it.  As I ask myself this question, I reflect on my past habits and on the fact that the temptation will pass.  I know from experience that I will stop craving any item after I choose not to purchase and consume that item.  I know that I can find other, less wasteful things to occupy my time, to fill my stomach, to ease my mind.  By drawing on my knowledge and experience, I can leave temptations behind.  As I try to explain my process for reflecting on potential purchases and passing items by, I realize how short and automatic that process has become.  As with many things in life, the more I perform certain tasks, the easier those tasks become.  I can't even begin to estimate how much I have reduced my waste by choosing not to buy that bag of candy or chips or that other unneeded item.

2. Buy items in recyclable packaging.  When we have options for the items we buy, we can consider a wide variety of criteria when making purchases, and that criteria can include packaging.  We can ask ourselves, Is the packaging reusable or recyclable?  If we purchase more items in reusable or recyclable packaging and fewer items in non-recyclable packaging, we can reduce our contribution to our local landfills.

3. Compost.  Whenever I cut up fruits and vegetables and have leftover leaves, stems, seeds, etc., I don't just throw them away or wash them down the sink drain.  I compost those pieces.  It takes very little effort to create a compost pile in a corner of the yard or inside of a container such as a wooden barrel or even a plastic bucket.  An empty five gallon ice cream container can even be converted into a compost container.  Depending on how you use items like napkins, you can probably place them in your compost pile.  You can also add egg shells and your dryer lint to that pile.  You can even add Subway wrappers and other specially labelled items to that pile.  As a bonus, all of these items can ultimately add precious nutrients to your soil, and to your flowers, your garden food, or your grass.

Every little bit helps.  It all adds up.  Thank you for reading.