Last week was a wee bit crazy for me and even though it felt like I was taking stuff out to our recycle bins in the garage constantly, there was one day that I just stuffed our garbage in the trash can without sorting it. That, is what you see above.
As I was getting ready to do this week’s zero waste home in 29 days or less post, I went through that trash and gleaned a few more things for my recycle bins. {Plastic bag, batteries, canning lid, tea tin}.
Apparently, you can recycle the giant potato bag from Costco. I didn’t even bother looking for the recycle logo the first time around because the side of the bag is mesh. But holy cow, it’s recyclable!
Sadly sticky wax wrappers from the bottle of my used candles are not. Neither is the sticker from the ibuprofen bottle.
When I paint trim, I use a plastic or paper cup to hold the paint. I suppose I could use a glass jar and rise it out afterwards, but old habits die hard. Anywho, even though I was able to peel off the paint from the interior of the cup, The paint on the outside of the cup wasn’t going anywhere so I had to trash it.
But seriously, take a look at this. Our trash from last week? It all fits in a tall Starbucks cup. How freakin’ amazing is that? This whole zero waste home idea… isn’t as crazy as I once thought it was. Although I don’t think we could be completely waste free, it just goes to show you how much of the stuff we buy/use, is recyclable.
Keep Calm and Recycle On,
~Mavis
Note: Most recycling centers have a bin set up to recycle batteries. Check to see if yours does. Luckily, ours does so I don’t have to save them up and make a special trip somewhere to recycle them.
Also, did you know it is against the law in California to throw away single use batteries? Yes, yes it is.
Alice says
What about the dog poo?
Mavis Butterfield says
There is a hole in our backyard for it.
Andrea says
Way to go! I would love to try this, but we have no recycling facilities. The nearest one is an hour and a half drive away. I guess that is the different between rural and city life. Although we do try to recycle as much as possible where we are.
Carol says
I think all plastics bear a triangle with a number inside, denoting their chemical composition. Some plastics numbered in this way may be recycled, others may not. This potato bag would not be accepted for curbside recycling pickup in my neighborhood, but I realize the rules vary from location to location. I am glad you are raising awareness of our over production of trash!
Mel says
We’re not supposed to toss batteries in NY either. You can google where to take them. Places like Home Depot & Best Buy take them.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Mel! 🙂 That’s good to know.
Wren says
Radio Shack takes rechargeable batteries, but not single-use. I didn’t know anywhere took single-use ones!
AmyWW says
That is amazing! I’m very impressed.
Shelley says
Hi Mavis! Big fan of your blog. I love your zero waste efforts and have made me re-think some of my habits. Question — what about the pizza boxes? I noticed you had pizza (Dominos I think?.) Since they are not in your trash, are they recyclable? I hate the huge pizza boxes — they fill up the garbage can like nobody’s business!
Mavis says
In my area, we can recycle them as long as they don’t have exorbitant amounts of grease or cheese stuck to the box. I don’t know who decides what exorbitant means, exactly, though. 🙂
Anja says
In Germany it is against the law to throw batteries away in the “normal” house trash. Instead every place that sells batteries has to take them back. That way not every person has to go to the recycling center with their own batteries. The shops collect them and return them in large batches…. saves money and time for everyone 😉
Amy says
How did you know the label for the ibuprofen bottle wasn’t recyclable? Do you have a handy source where you can check all that? I completely love this!! I do the best I can, with toddlers I think it’ll be a few years before I can get where you are though. Goals!