Since I am on a serious money saving kick this year, I realized that if I could reduce my waste, I could cancel my trash and recycling service {and save $420.30 this year}.
Remember last year when I posted about whether or not having a zero waste home is realistic? Well, it has been floating around in the back of my mind ever since. Whenever things stick around in my thoughts for that long, I know that I am going to have to address it at some point. After all, there are days that I am lucky to remember to put on pants, so any thoughts that DO actually stick around have to be dealt with.
I think the lingering thoughts are because, compared to most households, we don’t have a ton of waste to begin with, and not finding alternative ways to re-use, re-purpose or recycle our waste just feels lazy. {I know that our minimal waste has a lot to do with the fact that there are essentially only three adults living in our home, and two of them spend most of their time away from the house. Oh, and the fact that I am kind of weird about waste to begin with.}
I decided this year, I would finally bring that nagging zero-waste guilt to reality. Turns out, when you are conscious about what you throw away, there ARE ways to re-use, re-purpose or recycle them.
This week’s garbage was fairly minimal. I cleaned out the dryer. Turns out, the lint is compostable. So is the match I lit my candle with this morning.
I try and use my tea bags to their full potential. Some tea bags {like Tazo tea} are super strong and I can usually get 5 good cups of tea out of a single bag before I have to discard it. I know many of you think the idea of using a teabag that many times is INSANE {but hey, welcome to my world}. Tea bags actually provide valuable nutrients to the soil, so tossing it in the compost pile is way smarter than in the trash.
After I finished brushing my hair, I cleaned out my brush. I know, hair is kind of gross, but rather than put it into a plastic bag-lined garbage can where it can’t decompose, open the door and let it go. The birds will snatch it up to make their nests…or you know, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. I also took Bea’s advise and got rid of the bathroom garbage cans in the house.
I know what you’re next question is, and let’s just say, I’m going to throw it away in our regular trash {and not blog about it}. 😉
Hello deactivated yeast! Meet my lasagna garden. I am sure you will be very happy there. {Yes, I washed out the zip baggie and I plan on re-using it}.
Almost all the trash we generated this past week was tossed on the compost pile or placed in the recycle bins we keep in the garage {we will take these to the nearby transfer station when they are full}. The things we couldn’t recycle are what you see above.
Things like American cheese wrappers, coffee and treat baggies, a disposable razor, 2 used gift cards {I should have just asked the cashier to keep them} a caterpillar leg Lucy nibbled off one of her toys, foil seed packets, a tube of toothpaste and the soft plastic container and peel back lid from the taquitos I bought at Costco.
Everything I couldn’t compost, recycle or put down the garbage disposal fit into a raisin bag. Can you believe that? HOLY COW MAN. Holy cow. I thought that was pretty good.
Last week when I wrote about canceling our trash service, Tami left this comment:
“I’m in Pierce County and I didn’t have garbage service the first three years I moved here. I’d make about a grocery sack a week and I’d toss that in the grocery store garbage when I went shopping. I never bought garbage bags, just reused the plastic bags I was given.”
What a clever lady!
Now, if I had a million bags to get rid of would I feel guilty about throwing them away in public trash cans? Yes. But a week’s worth of garbage shoved into a raisin bag? Umm, NO. Not at all.
If you tried real hard could you get a week’s worth of trash to fit into a raisin bag?
Life, I’m telling you, it’s a thrill a minute around here. 😉
~Mavis
**I should probably mention, I read The Zero-Waste Lifestyle: Live Well by Throwing Away Less and the Zero Waste Home twice before I started all of this. They had really practical tips on how to cut down on waste, otherwise, I think I would’ve been a little more overwhelmed.
Deanna says
Hi Mavis, I am not certain if you can, but I do it. Break the handle off your razor and recycle the handle. 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
I wouldn’t have thought of that. Thanks Deanna!
Christy says
Our recycling company only takes items with the recycle symbol with a number, so no razor handles or stick deodorant containers, etc. It’s amazing how many companies still don’t make recyclable packaging.
Meredith says
Same here :/ We *are* lucky in that they take ANY number surrounded by the ‘recycle arrows’ but if there’s no code, it’s considered a contaminant to the load of recycling it finds itself in and that can compromise the whole load apparently!!
Ashley says
Same here, our recycling rules are pretty strict, though they seem to be accepting more than they had a few years ago.
Julia says
I do that too!!
s campbell says
You might want to check with Clinique. A lot of the department store brands will recycle their containers if you bring them back.
Mavis Butterfield says
AWESOME.Thank you!
connie says
wow, your good…what smart ideas….
Kathy says
I grew up in a household that never, ever had garbage service and my Father, who still lives in the family home, still does not have garbage service. It helped that we lived in the country and could use a burn barrel but there wasn’t all that much trash to get rid of. Daddy took what could not be burned to work with him and put it in the big trash bin there. He worked at the same place for 33 years and they didn’t have a problem with him doing that. He carries off what he has to get rid of now to a neighboring town at a dump. It is much less expensive for him to make the trip than to pay for garbage service. And he says he likes to go there once in a while to see people he knows in that town.
I have no doubt at all you can do this, Mavis. I wonder about the deal of not buying anything new all year though. In my mind, that would take away a lot of joy in my life. I love going to thrift stores and yard sales and getting bargains on things I can use or give to family or friends who can use them. I can be real generous when I am shopping at a thrift store or a yard sale. LOL
AshleyAshley says
I follow Katy Wolk-Stanley where she talks about taking the ‘compact’ where you buy nothing new for the year save your own rules – think underwear, toothbrushes, groceries etc. She has a Facebook group and a website/blog. She buys things but always tries to find them second hand first before buying them new. I really enjoy reading her blog too, and if you’re considering taking the buy nothing new plunge, it might be a good place to start. For instance, what if you bought your craft supplies at goodwill, or garage sales? or you bartered with other crafters for them somehow?
Maria says
I have to say this. The grocery store where the woman dumped her garbage has to pay for their trash disposal and they pay by the pound. They pay like everyone else pays and she technically stole by putting her trash in their trash bins. It wasn’t smart. It was dishonest.
Mavis Butterfield says
Are you talking about the garbage cans in front of the store?
Maria says
Yes, the bags are taken out back into a dumpster and the trash service weighs the dumpster and sends a bill to the store.
Mavis Butterfield says
Do you think my raisin bag is dishonest?
Ashley says
I think that there are 2 ways to look at it. 1 is that the garbage came from your home and the store’s garbage probably isn’t intended for that. But, 2, that garbage is for customer use, so if you’re a customer I think it’s fair game. I clean the garbage out of my car and throw it in store/gas station garbages. Most people have more trash in their car than you had all week in your home.
Beth says
I don’t think your raisin bag is dishonest! As long as you are going into the store to shop , it is there as a courtesy to you their customer. I’ve worked at a grocery store for over a decade and know that our store encourages the use of them. It keeps the parking lot clean and the store clean. It’s part of being a customer.
Maria says
No, I don’t think it’s dishonest. I just wanted the readers to consider the full scenario of what this other woman was suggesting. I’ve seen people open the trash cans at stores and restaurants, stuff in a full bag of trash and drive off. I know the managers of these stores and they are very upset because they felt taken advantage of by someone who wasn’t a customer and just wanted to save a buck. A small bag in the trash on your way in to spending more money at the store is a service to the customer (as Beth just pointed out).
I couldn’t do it without permission. But I see the other person’s point of view.
You are a thoughtful kind woman. Thank you for listening to me rather than just dismissing me out of hand.
Mavis Butterfield says
I actually have not thrown my raisin bag in a grocery store’s garbage can yet. I think it’s an interesting discussion though.
Leslie says
Mavis, we do something similar to what you are doing. Have you thought about bartering with someone? Save up your trash in a bin in your garage, or whoever your garbage cart is, then trade someone that is already making a dump run? Or, if you check in on someone’s house while they vacation, or take care of pets, maybe you can use their garbage service for the week they are gone. Ideas!
Helen in Meridian says
Since you pay for a membership, why not drop them off at Costco. I swear they empty the cans at the end of each aisle every half hour, even if it only has 2 little cup or a couple of napkins. Your membership entitles you to use their garbage, and they must have 25 big cans around the store, plus all the ones outside the door.
Margaret says
our grocery store has a sign on the trash that says no household trash. evidently it is a problem in my town and I can’t bring myself to throw our stuff there. Luckily we can bring a 33 gallon bag to the same store in the back and for $4 drop it off, which is still cheaper than garbage service.
Leslie says
That is a sweet deal!
Mary says
I totally agree and that’s what I thought when I read it!
Donna says
here in Phoenix most Starbucks coffee bags (the ones that contain beans or preground coffee) are worth a cup of coffee when turned in at Starbucks. It’s printed on the bag.
Adriana says
They do that in CA too… Mavis get yourself a free cup of coffee from all that hard work composting!
Mary says
Thanks an awesome bit of news!
Thanks!!
Vy says
I was going to say the same thing, it works here in Seattle, too. Trade in those bags for a free cup of regular coffee.
Jenny says
Interested to know if you compost your meat scraps too? I am challenging myself to lessen our garbage, although for a family of 4 with 2 kids I think that we do fairly well…
Maria says
Meat scraps are not compostable. They get in your compost bin, rot and cause maggots and will be really nasty.
KAte says
Meat scraps are compostable at commercial venues (basically high heat) because most home compost systems don’t get hot enough to break down the proteins. Our local waste disposal company just launched a new initiative (complete with small counter-top bins) that takes ALL kitchen waste. It’s pretty awesome.
Leslie says
Yes, meat is totally compostable! It may attract even more scavengers. Compost is really just rotting, and decomposition. Meat, blood and bone all add very valuable nutrients to the soil! Lots of info online, if you’re interested.
Jennifer says
Our garbage company takes all food and yard waste (well, most yard waste) as compostables. Even pizza boxes, which aren’t recyclable if they’ve been soiled by pizza grease.
Kari says
I have both the books on hold at the library. I can’t wait to read them! We already do a ton of composting and recycling, but I am eager to learn how to reduce our waste even more.
May I ask about items like Kleenex? I know you aren’t supposed to flush those, and they do not compost. Maybe you use TP and compost it? Or do you carry a hanky? It seems that is a big part of our waste.
Mavis Butterfield says
I flush Kleenex. I had no idea you were not suppose to. We maybe go through a half a box a year though.
Jenn in Indiana says
How in the world do you only go through a half a box of Kleenex a year?
Mavis Butterfield says
We don’t normally buy Kleenex… it was {free} and leftover from my extreme couponing days. Why would someone BUY Kleenex when you can just use tp? LOL.
Alison says
We are a family of five and get our fair share of colds… We use 1-2 boxes per year. When we have colds/allergies we use handkerchiefs.
Our Kleenex is primarily for guests and that rare day when I come home from a walk or shoveling snow on a cold day and I’m too lazy to get a handkerchief for my runny nose.
Alison says
I should add…cloth is MUCH nicer to your skin. Our noses thank us.
Kari says
Yes, it doesn’t break down like TP, so can clog pipes, etc. it also doesn’t break down easily at the waste water treatment plant, if I understand correctly.
Wynne says
Wow, I had no idea. One can use that little Kleenex? And it’s a nuisance to the sewer system? Have to think about that. Thanks!
Gardenpat says
I recycled some sheets into handkerchiefs this year. It was simple to cut it into squares and then narrow hem them! Used some floral ones for me, for hubby and son, I recycled some blue plaid pajamas into more “manly” handkerchiefs! I use mine whether I’m at home or away and I figure if hubby and son use them at home only, we still will save $$ and be more Eco-friendly. We just toss them in the laundry with other colored things.
Teckla says
My Mom did the same. Whatever cotton was in the rag bag. She would never have paid for Kleenex on any kind of regular basis! Just once in a while when it was cheap or free. Not only did she wash hankies in whatever load had bleach in it, she hung the clothes in the sunshine which also helps kill germs.
We also had an outhouse until I was about 14 and she recycled as much “suitable” paper as she could for that purpose as well. She and Dad both were raised in the southern Ozarks and frugality, use it up, make it do, do without was so much a part of life that we weren’t even aware of it most of the time. I have to admit, I have strayed some from my roots and need to give my life style a good look over to see how I could do better. That’s my goal for this year!
And I get so many great ideas from Mavis and all of you!
Katrina says
I’ve never been told that Kleenex shouldn’t be flushed, but paper towel. Kleenex is fine.
Nonna says
When our system became clogged the plumber told us not to flush Kleenex or any other brand of tissues. They are made to hold up under wet conditions, and so they don’t break down easily in the sewer system. Even some brands of toilet paper that is ‘stronger’ can do damage to the plumbing. We live in an area where all the homes were built in 1890’s, so maybe that is part of the problem. But with a price tag of $5000 or more to put in new plumbing lines we can’t take any chances. Our neighbors lines through their yard to the city system were clogged, and everything had to be replaced. Huge project that was very expensive.
Kathy says
I agree with Maria. Dumping your trash in someone else’s trashcan is dishonest. Taking it to a recycling center or dump station works for me. Dumping it elsewhere only so you can avoid the cost is unethical.
Ginger says
Agreed. Making it someone else’s cost just to reduce your own is definitely dishonest & unethical no matter how small.
Jenn in Indiana says
I disagree. Every time I get gas I always make sure all trash is thrown away. Does that make me unethical? I thought that was why the trashcans were there for?
Gardenpat says
I d the same thing to keep my car clean! I thought that’s why gas stations had the trash cans next to the pumps!
kcmama says
I think that gas stations do have the trash cans there for folks who clean their windshields and use the paper towels to help dry the squeegie (sP?) and also for the little trash people may have in their cars. I do not think that they (or grocery stores) put the trash cans there for folks to bring all of their household trash for disposal. 😉
GlitterMamma says
I think the issue is that she is bringing garbage from home deliberately and regularly to throw away in the store garbage cans and I agree that, that is unethical.
Tracy says
I also think the discussion about whether it is unethical to dump one’s trash at a local store’s garbage cans is an interesting one. Consider this: the store doesn’t set out trash cans for its customers as a “service” (come on!), they set them out to avoid litter on their property, I.e. Receipts, tissues, etc left on the ground, in the shopping carts, etc. It is expensive for them to hire people to pick up trash. I don’t think any of us believe the store is offering their trash receptacles as a service for people to actually bring their trash to the store. And, as one poster pointed out, they pay to have trash hauled away by the pound. But here’s the best way to determine whether the practice is ethical or not –ask the store management openly. Let them decide. Be sure to ask someone who is in authority, not just a clerk who may or may not appreciate the financial impact versus customer appeal.
Jenn in Indiana says
I am curious what the HH thinks about your latest endeavor?
Mavis Butterfield says
He doesn’t pay any attention. Seriously.
Lisa Millar says
That answer made me laugh!!
PS says
I think dropping no more than a grocery store bag of trash in a gas station or grocery store trash can is not dishonest as long as you are shopping there. That is no more than an average customer would drop in of fast food containers or trash from their car and no one would question it. Why does it matter where the trash is technically from?
Rosaleen says
We take our trash to a local center where we pay $1 to drop a 13-gallon kitchen trash sized bag to $3 for a huge contractor bag. Recycling is mandatory but free. We also have to buy a permit each year for $10. If we used a trash service, the cheapest one was advertising prices that start at $35 per month. I stopped this type of service when I stopped working outside the home.
The things you don’t want to mention discarding: Look up Keeper, Diva, and other cups. Once I tried a Keeper, I never went back. It paid for itself within 6 months. I was going through LOT of product…
We use cotton handkerchiefs, other items that pay for themselves. Hubby won’t even consider an idea I saw somewhere about using small cloths instead of TP. They go into a covered bucket and are washed and sanitized frequently. I had heard that most wipes should not be flushed, as they may made from synthetic materials. Had not heard that facial tissues were a problem
Chibbi says
Other unmentionables is the other component to Diva and Keeper, to catch spills. I made mine with discount flannel, an old towel, and fleece and they have lasted me a few years. I donated what I hadn’t used of the disposables to our local homeless shelter. It’s so, so much cheaper that way.
Karin says
I think if you walked up to most store managers and showed them your tiny bag of trash and asked if you could throw it away in their trash can they would tell you of course you could and look at you like you’re truly bonkers for even asking!
Great job on the trash btw. Our country bumpkin community just got recycle bins delivered this month. I’m so excited about them!
Teresa says
I think that making your refuse dilemma another’s problem is unethical, whether business or personal. Perhaps bartering with the Manager would be a good way to work it out. I wish you the best 🙂
Deborah from FL says
About the store garbage discussion, I’d simply ask the manager of the store(s) in question. Not all trash removal is determined by weight, so it might be worth inquiring about. Just a thought…
Janet says
Where is the dog poop and meat scraps?
Kleenex will clog your pipes and cause septic or sewer problems.
Some of what you have left could be burned in your outside firepit you got last summer.
If you squeeze the air out of the raisin bag before sealing it, it would be very small to throw away.
Kristina says
Wow! Your example is really inspiring me to try to do better. For those folks who mention burning garbage: the garbage doesn’t “go away”, it just becomes part of the air we breathe. Just because you can’t see the particles, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t there, clogging the air. This is not an environmentally sound way to get rid of trash, and deeply ironic if you are an avid recycler for environmental reasons. I think of the “zero-waste” home as a green concept primarily, and a money saver, secondarily, but maybe some folks see it the other way around?
Mountaineer says
Concerning composting, read The Humanure Handbook (Joseph Jenkins). I have composted carcasses without adverse affects.
Tamara says
If you are shopping at a store that HAS A TRASH CAN BY THE DOOR and your bag is the size you showed in your picture it is perfectly fine to dispose of it there. Different story if it is a full size garbage bag. You have inspired me to reduce our trash. One question, though, concerning a female guest in your home: will she know to carry her disposable items to your regular trash can if there isn’t a trash can in the bathroom?
Meredith says
I’ve taken to saving zip-top bags that items ‘come’ in and stopped buying zip-top bags for the time being. I know some people avoid plastic packaging all together when making a purchase, but we have only one income for the foreseeable future, so for right now my choice is to focus on cost per ounce of foods (we did away with purchases in plastic when our first child was very small for quite a while, but still did the math on purchases and am sad to report that locally it costs more to buy certain items w/o plastic than with). This is all a long winded way (it’s been a long day!) of saying, maybe you could reuse your zip-top bags versus tossing them too. A raisin bag will no doubt be sticky on the inside, but if you turn it inside out it should be a quick wash, let it dry that way, then turn back in and voila! ‘free’ (and thick!) food-safe zip-top bag. 😀
Kris says
Have you heard of terracycle? They collect all sorts of plasticky stuff for recycling. Some things you can find drop off locations and others you collect & box, & ship with a prepaid label. It’s geared towards large scale collecting/fundraising (you actually get points if your packages are heavy enough) like school (Capri sun pouches) or offices, but it’s kept many cereal bags out of the trash at my house 🙂
Brenda says
Call your local school. All the schools in my area do this. Its crazy the items that they take back…candy bar wrappers, empty scotch tape packages, cell phones… and the school gets money for it. They might take those plastic zip top bags that you had in the pic.
Julia says
Old used up gift cards can be made into guitar picks! You can cut them out yourself or they sell guitar pick punches. I have been following Bea for several years and have learned a lot from her Zero Waste lifestyle. I think it is fine to throw a small bag of trash in a store trash can. That’s why they are there. I often clean out my car at a gas station or store and throw out my thrash there. Also, like you, I often don’t tell my DH about the wacky challenges I make for myself. Like the year I decided not to drive my car on Fridays to save gas, reduce emissions, and be more mindful of my day.
Chris says
My wife collects old gift cards and uses them for a base on pincushions. She either gives the homemade pincushion as a gift or donates to sewing circles. Her grandmother’s quilting club loved them!
Missy says
Some stores have bins for gift card recycling. Our local Best Buy has several bins in the entryway of their store for recycling various things like this. They also take electronics, computers, cords etc.
Sue says
I suggest separating this “reduce trash” project from your “be frugal to save money” project. Take your trash to the dump — you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you only have to bring one can every six months (or whatever it turns out to be). Or arrange with a neighbor to put your stuff in their can in exchange for some barter. I wouldn’t push the issue by using store’s trash cans — I think to be ethical, those cans are for trash that is generated on site — ie if you buy something and immediately eat it and then have packaging, you can throw in there. Even though they won’t object to someone cleaning out their car, intentionally bringing your trash to dispose of there just feels icky to me, and unethical, yes. There is obviously a range of opinions on this, but for your project to have the maximum impact on your readers I would remove the aspect of using someone else’s trash cans and simply enjoy the cost savings of the fact that you’re not producing as much. Just my opinion, of course, but I’m very drawn to the idea of reducing waste and really want to see it presented in a light that is inspiring to everyone.
Trisha says
Hi. I was just wondering what you were going to do with your used canning lids? You can buy Tattler lids and reuse them, but they cost way more (like 10 times more) and you are only supposed to use them around 10 times…the cost ends up being pretty close to the same for one-time use lids. I can about 100-150 jars worth of food a year, so that is a lot of lids in the trash.
Mavis Butterfield says
I have not tried Tattler lids but my friend Jane uses them and really likes them. I reuse my lids for freezing stuff in glass jars after I’ve used them once though so I feel like I get a little more bang for my buck that way. I am also working on replacing my Ball jars with Weck Jars as needed because I prefer their tops.
Mandy Mascaro says
I had never heard of a grocery store paying by the pound to get rid of their garbage. I worked at a grocery store all throughout high school, college, and a little time after and they never paid for their garbage pick up that way. Everyday the garbage cans at the cash registers and the office would get dumped into the garbage cans in front of the store and then those garbage cans were emptied and brought to the dumpster at the back of the store. The store I worked at paid the garbage company a flat rate to come by twice a week and empty their dumpsters. It never mattered how much or how little was in that dumpster. It would get emptied twice a week regardless. And speaking as someone who worked at a grocery store, we preferred it if you did throw your trash away in the garbage cans. So many people would just dump their garbage on the ground in the parking lot or leave it in the shopping carts, then we would have to go around numerous times throughout the day and pick all of that up.
Bonnie says
Granted my business is in California (not Washington, so rules may be different) and my business is not a Grocery Store (so, again, rules may be different) but we pay for our business dumpster by the load (not weight). We pay the same for our dumpster pick up weather it is full or not and not by weight, but by load. The garbage cans in the front are part of our CAM cost (common area maintenance), so all tenants share cost. I (from a business owner standpoint do not see a problem with your raisin bag being squarely put in can (not left next to can (I know you wouldn’t do that!). I would have a problem with a garbage bag and probably a grocery bag too as that would fill up smaller receptacle and cause a mess. We do lock our dumpster so that people can’t dump stuff in our can (larger loads)…or dumpster dive and make a mess around our business.
Love your blog Mavis!!! Thanks for keeping me thinking and entertained too!
Karen says
Great job, we need to clean up here for sure.
I am pretty sure that throwing your household garbage (albeit small)in someone else’s can is called “theft of services.” Once I had the “pastor” from down the street throw his prayer cards and other trash into my garbage dumpster. Needless to say I was not impressed and they squirmed a bit when they had to come and pick it up. Then another time a kindly person threw all the party wrapping for newlyweds in my dumpster. The newlyweds were surprised their hosts had done that when the sheriff called them to come and pick up the trash. (They left their names on the envelopes.)
Lisa says
Another good use for dryer lint is using it as a fire starter. When I had a wood stove I always saved it for that purpose. It gets the kindling going like gangbusters and may work well as an addition in your little fire starter cups. But I don’t know how pretty it would look!
Jenny says
I have a friend that makes fire starters out of toilet rolls, dryer lint and wax! they are awesome!
auntie says
I hope you’re throwing your hair and lint out in your own backyard. Otherwise, that would be kinda gross to see that stuff floating across streets and into other people’s property.
As for your raisin bag trash, I think its ok to toss something that size in a public trash can. However, if your bag was bigger and heavier, it would seem like you’re just taking advantage of the business. Have some common courtesy and just pay your share for the services we all need and use. Nobody likes paying their bills, but making others pay to take away your garbage is kinda tacky.
Tammy says
The HOA will soon have a by-law stating that no hair or lint is to be thrown out of doors. 😉
Mavis Butterfield says
Yup. 😉
AmyWW says
While I agree that the amount of trash you put out last week is super small and wouldn’t make much difference to any business, it does bother me and I would never do it because it is transferring your legitimate expense of waste disposal on to someone else for the sole purpose of avoiding that expense. I think the great solution here is to talk to a friendly neighbor and work out a deal where you get to put your unrecyclable garbage in his home trash barrel in exchange for a freezer meal or some fresh produce from your garden. Kudos to you for reducing your trash to such a small amount! I think that’s very impressive and inspiring.
AshleyAshley says
I wonder if some of those plastic bags could go in to bag recycling at the trash store. Some stores have that for plastic bags.
AshleyAshley says
Hey Mavis, here’s one for you that I have struggled with, because I myself have tried to be less of a consumer in the last year, and have watched how much my garbage use has gone down. But, there are a few things that I cant throw on the lawn to decompose like chicken bones….or I get grease off bacon or other meats with paper towels, what of those? Do you compost those? Or have you found a different method?
Also, on napkins, are you using cloth?
Thanks,
Ashley
Mavis Butterfield says
We normally don’t buy napkins. This is another I’m probably weird because we don’t use Kleenex thing. My mother gifted us a huge stack of napkins. I do have a few cloth napkins we use occasionally, but honestly, napkins are not something I set out on the table. I know from eating at other peoples houses this is not normal. We are not messy eaters, but if we have company I’ll set out napkins.
Tammy says
This is a fascinating discussion to me. It is making me see areas in which I could do better in! I said on one of your other posts, that we pay per tip. We put our trash to the curb every 2 or 3 weeks. I’d love to bring this down!
My in-laws live in your area (my husband grew up in Puyallup!) and they compost all their kitchen scraps, shred paper and put it in the compost, I believe they separate their recycles and trash and then my father-in-law takes a trip to the dump or some place about twice a year.
When we are on a trip, we clean our car out at gas station stops so the trash doesn’t build up in the car. Otherwise, we don’t use the gas station trash — we tend to not have much trash in our car normally.
While I can appreciate that some grocery stores probably wouldn’t have issues with people using their trash, what would happen if more and more people did this? Even for minimal trash? I better like the idea of bartering with a friend for use of their trash.
One area in which I have completely eliminated trash is in the feminine department. I use a cup and cloth pads, very environmentally friendly and NO trash whatsoever! It sounds weird and over the top but I’ve been using them for about 4 years now and wouldn’t ever go back!
Laura says
I also use a menstrual cup. No waste!
Jean says
I used to save the Capri Sun juice bags when my big kids were little to sew together to make beach bags/grocery bags. I would imagine you could be creative and make the bags you have into little purses or bags to sell on your Etsy site.
Jamie says
I think you should just accumulate your raisin bags in a can in your garage or something and then dispose of a large bag for a small fee at a landfill or something. It does seem a little wrong to keep household trash to throw away at a public can to avoid paying for trash services. I throw away trash out of my car at those places so I don’t know.
Also you will be totally horrified but my family of 5 typically throws away 3 large garage bags a week. We live in a rural area and do not have recycling. At this point in my life it is not high in my priorities to save and drive around looking for a recycling center. And since we are rural we do burn paper and cardboard and I have large compost bin but I still have a lot of other garbage a week!
And I buy garbage bags because I need something sturdy to throw away my trash in. I do reuse small grocery bags for small trash cans but still find it necessary to buy big bags.
You’ve given us some interesting things to think on.
Brianna says
In regards to facial tissues being not composting in a septic/sewer system, it depends on the brand and type. We RV and the test they say to use is to put the TP or facial tissue in a sealed jar with water and adgitate it for 1-2 minutes to see if it breaks down. If it does then it should be RV, septic, and sewer safe to use. Baby wipes, wet wipes, and most personal cleansing wipes don’t break down and shouldn’t be flushed down a toilet.
Regarding your meat scraps, if you trim the fat before you cook, you could make some suet for the birds.
I am glad you are responsible and thoughtful about the purpose of your trash and where to dump. In Georgia there are so many random ‘trash’ piles on the sides of the road here because people are lazy and it is disgusting, unsightly, and terrible for the environment. I haven’t lived in a place with such an issue until we moved here and I don’t really understand it. Contractor waste and household waste is so sad to see and I wish they would enforce the dumping laws here. I think the purpose for your trash is to eventually end up in the landfill, but how it gets there is your responsibility. Do what you are comfortable with, but certainly don’t hoard your trash. As long as you are making sure it goes inside of a proper trash receptacle and is not overly infringing on the space of that receptacle for other consumers or business purposes, I don’t see a problem with you responsibly placing it inside there. I see any trash receptacle as any opportunity for me to place my trash in, no matter where I am. It is better than tossing it out the car window, dumping it off the edge of a lonely road, or setting it next to someone else’s “personal” trash on trash day.
You could really get off of your rocker and stand by the curb on trash pickup day, wave the trash truck down, and barter with them to place your raisin bag in the back of the trash truck. I’ve rushed my bin to the curb on the ‘wrong’ trash day as the ‘wrong’ company was coming through my neighborhood and they gladly took it. You don’t know unless you try.
Mona says
How do you dispose of your dog’s poo?
Daedre says
Lint from synthetic fibers probably won’t break down (or will take a very very long time to do so). If you only use cotton, wool, and other natural fibers I’m sure your lint will be fine in the compost bin.
Marcia says
The thing that I have a hard time with, really, is the packaging. Rice, bean, canned tomatoes, carrots, literally everything has a package.
Luckily where i live, just about everything can go into recycling, including plastic bags for rice, etc. It still bugs me.
On the trash thing, I wouldn’t worry about so much about a tiny raisin bag. If you were saving up a large bag to throw out at a grocery store, that might not be okay. I clean out my car and throw it out at gas stations, or at work.
Sometimes when we have a lot of stuff to shred or burn, my husband takes it to work. My company pays by the pound, but his pays by the load, so they encourage employees to fill it up!
My neighbor does not have trash service at the house, but he has a business. He just takes it over there.
Courtney thomas says
There is an awesome company that uses recycled plastic for their razor and toothbrush handles available through Amazon. They sell refillable blades for said handles. It took me 2 years to use 5 blades. As an alternative to that waste a ladies hair trimmer is amazing at hair removal and needs to be done a lot less so it saves heaps of water /shower time. It took a few hair cycles for me but I’m sold!
Gift cards make amazing pan scrubbers and terrific paint / craft tools too.
I think you should keep the trash for a quarter just to collectively show how little you all make. Plus you could peddle it at your garage sale for peeps to take discounts for shock value.
We don’t use Kleenex or napkins either hahah. We have a good laugh at guests expense sometimes too when I hide the TP. We cloth diaper and have a handheld bidet attAched to the toilets. I love my guests faces when I tell them we’ve phased it out and they can use the bidet instead.
Lol
So refreshing to know I’m not alone in so much if these topics.
Mary Margaret Ripley says
Mavis have you tried Terra Cycle? I know they take all kinds of plastic bags, Capri Sun and other kinds of non-recyclable items. Check out their website!
Kathleen says
I arrange for garbage dumpsters in Pierce and King County and the commercial deliveries are a basic monthly charge, and not payment by weight. When I order a dumpster for a large amount of yard waste I pay by weight then only.
I turn a blind eye to occasional dumping into “our” garbage dumpsters for commercial spaces by others but at HOAs or Condos they are meant for use for just that community. My PEEVE however is the dumping of TV’s, large sectionals, etc, outside the dumpster that I have to pay to haul away as the garbage company ignores that stuff.
And as far as Kleenex or TP, in the days of my grandmother on the farm, everyone had a Handkerchief that was washed and their own “wipe rag” that was washed. A hanky I can go for but sorry…no wipe rags in my house.
DebbieB says
Any idea how to reduce cat litter box waste? I have three cats and with at least twice a day scooping and then periodic replacing of litter in several boxes makes a lot of waste. This is something you don’t want hanging around for months until you make a dump run. I also double bag it all in HD trash bags.
Olga says
I too would love to know if there are any alternatives to handling cat litter waste! Can it be buried in an out of the way spot in the yard?
Janice says
I bought an awesome cat box called car genie that flushed down the drain no cat litter to clean no more odor little pricey up front but has made life so much easier
Rocio H. says
Here is an idea for your trash, Look up “potato chip and candy wrapper crafts” on Pinterest.
Also there is Terracycle that reuses plastic bags for their products.