Reducing the waste: Trash Edition
Submitted by tired_gardener on Thu, 06/05/2008 - 20:37.With all the trash that gets hauled off, we need to be extra mindful of what we waste. Below are some easy ways to cut the waste at home and work. Keep in mind, this is just a starting point. There is so much more you can do, but we all need to start somewhere.
Cut printer usage
Ask yourself if you really need a hard copy. Some people like to have hard copies of everything. Their desks then get so cluttered with papers that they can't ever find what they want. Instead, create a file system on your computer that makes since to you. Store your documents there. Have one for each project you are working on, so you can keep the important documents for that project together.
Be sure to make backups of your documents, or you will be mad at me when your drive fails. Back up all important files to an off-site storage location such as Mozy Remote Backup
and then you have no reason to keep paper backups.
Use small notes
Keep the small note paper handy. If you need to write a note, do you need an entire sheet of paper, or will a little post-it do? Use only as much as you need.
Bring a coffee mug and silverware to work
If you drink coffee, bring a mug. Bring some utensils for eating with too. This will save the paper cups and plastic forks from heading ground wise. I like to keep a mug, spoon, fork, knife, bowl and plate in my work station. I then was them whenever I use them, but I have them available, so I don't need to use the disposables.
Check your pantry
When you plan the menu, look at what you already have. You don't want that chicken in the freezer to go bad, or it will join that waste in the land fill.
Keep your pasta sealed or you just might end of tossing it out with the bugs that infest it. I once had to throw out about 50 pounds of pasta, flour, cereal and the like because of moths.
Freeze or vacuum seal what your not going to eat right away to keep it from going bad.
Keep chips, cereal, etc sealed for freshness. You don't want to toss them because they go stale.
Compost
instead of tossing your waste veggies into the trash, toss them into the compost. They are easy to make and maintain and you can use the compost on your garden to save money on fertilizer. If you don't have room for a full compost bin, consider a small worm bin. I have a good one going in a kitty litter bucket.
Watch the packaging
Buy things with less packaging. I once saw some "green" toilet paper that was 100% recycled and everything. It was then individually wrapped. This means more waste per roll. The double and triple rolls mean you will get more on a roll and less waste there.
What about the great big packages with tiny products in them? If you can get these same products in smaller packages, do so. Of course, they may have come to the store in big packages...
Use durable products
If a product is not durable, or even worse, disposable, it will go to the landfill sooner. Unless you only need it for a one time use, then it is usually less expensive to go durable, even if the up front cost is higher.
Buy in bulk
When you buy in bulk, you often get a better price. There is also less waste with the packaging. Be sure to read the earlier pantry point. If you buy in bulk, make sure that the extra is properly stored, so it does not go bad, or get infested with bugs. If the package you want to buy is too big for you, consider sharing with friends. Going in together on large packages can often save a lot of money. Of course the storage of these items can sometimes be wasteful, depending on the storage containers.
Don't buy more than you need
Buying in bulk is great, unless it goes to waste. If you will not use it all, buy a smaller package. The other day, I tossed 3 quarts of a gallon of milk, because we had purchased 2 gallons, and not used it all before the expiration date.
Buy local
Small local farmers often use less chemicals than the big farmers. The also transport the food less distance, saving on pollution. You will also find that they use durable containers that they reuse once their products are sold. They have much less waste than the big guys. Beside, it is fun to go to the farmers market.
Don't bag it
If you are buying one item, do you need a back? Do you need two? I went to one of the local "green" markets the other day, and they only give paper bags, but they double bagged and didn't fill them all the way. I only needed one bag, and could have fit it all in one bag. I did not need all four (two double bags).
Just a start
Remember, this is just a place to start. Keep watching for other ways to reduce the garbage.
Next issue: Reducing the waste: Water edition!
Trackback URL for this post:
http://tiredgarden.info/trackback/204
»
|
comments: 0
by email 
by RSS
Comments
Post new comment