Last week there were a lot of comments regarding my raisin bag {our trash for the week} and if it was acceptable to throw it away in a public garbage can in front a grocery store. The comments were about 50/50.
Yes, throwing away a small amount of garbage at a store/gas station you are shopping at is totally fine.
NO, absolutely not.
Luckily, hanging on to my little ol’ raisin bag for an additional week wasn’t a big burden for me. When we went to visit my parents over the weekend, I just tossed it down their trash chute along with our trash for week 2 as well.
Thank goodness Garbage Gate 2016 was averted.
So. What trash did we accumulate last week?
Plastic wrappers mostly. There was the lid from a jar of beets, several lint roller strips and a foam insert from inside of a sauerkraut jar {which I thought was totally weird}. 
Fact: I could easily buy loose leaf spinach in the produce section instead of buying spinach a plastic bag. Yes, the spinach would cost more and and I would have to be eventually toss out the twist tie that the spinach leaves would be wrapped around. I suppose the only “no waste” way to buy spinach would be to bring my own bag to the farmer’s market and buy it there. Or, grow my own and only eat it in season. 
Lint rollers. A necessary evil when you have a dog and wear black.
Mailing envelopes, paper packaging, ribbons, twine and rubber bands are EXTREMELY easy to reuse and I do so every chance I get.
Everything else, goes into my bins for the recycling center.
Last week someone mentioned that TerraCycle offers boxes {which are sold at Staples} that companies or regular peeps like you and me can pack those hard-to-recycle items like pens, markers, mechanical pencils, etc in and have them be recycled.
The price includes the box and shipping costs to get the box back to TerraCycle. I’m assuming the high price tag also covers the cost TerraCycle incurs to recycle the items. So, do you want to know the cost for one of these magical little waste boxes? $82.99! While I think this is a super clever idea, I have to wonder, are people really willing to shell out $82?! Would YOU?
There are also brand specific products TerraCycle is looking to recycle and all you need to do to send those items in is to check the list here, download a free shipping label and mail it off. I think the whole process is fascinating.
When I canceled our trash service a few weeks ago I was a little worried about what I was going to do with all the packaging that couldn’t be recycled. But as it turns out, almost all of the packaged food products I’m buying can be recycled or stuffed into a small bag at the end of the week. Who knew?
So far so good!
How about you? What percentage of packaging do you think you are recycling these days? Do you think you could go without garbage service?
~Mavis
Coleen says
Hi Mavis! What do you do with used dental floss?
Ashley says
I don’t know if it’s floss for sure, but I do see some string below the spinach bags.
lynne says
Not sure about your recycling “do’s & don’ts”, but at our local Coop, they take plastic bags for recycling, but also included with the bags, are all sorts of plastic packaging: cereal bags, spinach bags, frozen vege bags, water softener salt bags, ziplocks, etc. When I saw your spinach bags, I thought maybe you’d like to check into it with anyplace that takes plastic grocery bags for recycling :-). LynneinMN
trish says
I do that too with my plastic bags, most major grocery stores take them.
Mavis says
Great tip! I’ll have to look into that.
Noreen says
My son’s preschool collects terracycle items and returns them for a profit. Call around to your local schools, public and private, and you may find someone who will take that stuff from you.
Courtney t says
Garbage gate Bahahahha.
I would also like to know what you do with dental floss and I probably missed it somewhere but what about Lucy’s food cans and kibble bags?
Peggy says
Check your TP wrappers, some can be recycled with plastic bags. 🙂
Mabel says
I have two Irish wolfhounds and my slacks are usually covered with their hair. I recently had a woman in the elevator with me who said, quite loudly, “You are covered in dog hair.” I said equally loudly, so the other occupants could hear me, “Not that is any of your business, but I have two giant dogs, get over it. And given the choice between dog hair and being as rude as you are, I would choose dog hair every time.” But I must confess that my husband is with you, he uses those lint rollers compulsively.
Jen F says
Aww, I always get a little extra happy when I’m in public and see someone with pet hair on them. I smile thinking they must have someone at home who loves them and they love back…
Ann Carpenter says
LOL Good for you!! No outfit is complete without dog hair!
Cari says
Mavis,
Have you ever check out http://www.recyclebank.com? They have lots of tips and info. about recycling. You can earn points on the sight to get free (yes, I said our favorite word) stuff, coupons and discounts. Some of the coupons and discounts are for retailers that help you live a plastic free life (like companies that sell reusable items or items made from recycled materials). My favorite are the Starbucks Gift cards, when they have them.
P.S. I totally DO NOT work for recyclebank
Carrie says
Fred Myers and most other grocers have the recycling for plastic grocery bags that include all kind of other plastic. I believe it is then recycled into trex decking.
The Tacoma garbage dump off center st has a huge recycling center that takes all kinds of stuff you can’t recycle in GH. We save many things in a box and make a trip when we are headed somewhere near there.
Between those 2 places you could have easily recycled almost all of your “trash” from the week!
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Carrie I will check it out!
Jennifer says
I like the helpful comments that folks have posted for your area, Mavis! Also, it’s not a perfect substitute, but you could consider using a lint brush instead of disposable lint roller strips, or maybe use the lint brush first then use the lint roller strips would last longer. We have cats and the lint brush grabs most of the hair.
Sharon says
I am looking for a good lint brush do you like yours? And if so what kind do you have? Thank you.
Tamara says
The FlyLady sells a rubba scrubba that works GREAT on pet hair – on clothes and furniture.
sharon says
Thank you for the tip!
Wren says
I was going to suggest this too. I have a Lint Wizard Pro (I just looked at it to see if it had its brand on it) that takes care of most things, but it really depends on the fabric as to if that or a lint roller is more effective. Most things, the reuseable one (which has like a carpet-corduroy texture) works great, but a certain pair of slacks demands the lint roller.
Tami says
WOW. I just read through all the comments on the trash. I had no idea my comment would spark so much discussion. I never felt bad about putting an under filled small bag in the trash at the store because it was their bag in the first place and it was significantly smaller than the other people tossing their huge Mcdonald’s bags and Starbucks cups, plus I was going in to spend more money.
I do have garbage service now, but honestly, at the time, I couldn’t afford it. I couldn’t afford to take it to the dump 25 miles away. I had to measure the miles I drove, the gas I consumed, the food down to every serving at the time. It was taking everything I could to just to keep my house. It just shows the choices (perhaps questionable) people are forced into when struggling to meet basic needs. You can’t win the internet, but there were no lattes, no eating out, no clothes shopping, no cable, no internet, minimal heating, and as little water use as possible. I gave up toilet paper.
I know people often struggle to imagine what it would be like when I needed something but literally did not have $3 to buy it.
In the event I had something larger than a small grocery sack i would ask a friend or family member if their bin was empty enough to take it that week. Storing garbage for any length of time was not an option (due to rodents) and I certainly could not have spent $15 -$20 on a bin.
This has been really interesting to read about. Thank you Mavis for sparking discussion with your posts and always challenging yourself. I enjoy it!
Wren says
I think people just like to complain. My first thought was, nobody complains when people clean out their car of fast food detrius at the gas station. The store puts bins in the front of the store for customers to use. And lots of them. And they’re usually emptied half full. Nobody cares in real life. Honestly, I’d rather see their bag full than a bunch of half filled plastic AND more filled plastic at your house AND more filled plastic in your car AND… because they really do toss them whether they’re even remotely full or not… all that plastic, made and thrown away, for a few coffee cups and tissues. If your concern is envoronmental, it’s better to consolidate. If your concern is the store paying for it, I promise you, you are not making a dent in their massive trash output by tossing in what isn’t any bigger than a McDonald’s bag of wrappers like so many people do. They plan on that.
Preppy Pink Crocodile says
I think what you are doing is awesome and I’m enjoying how much you are able to recycle. So do not take this suggestion as a must do. Because I personally believe that we all should do what we can (and included in that is comfort on various levels). But regarding salad… I don’t do this all the time. See…I promise this isn’t some harpy do it my special perfect way comment. But a long time ago I purchased three lingerie bags that have mesh on the sides and drawstring closure on the top at the dollar store. So three in a package for $1. I use them for the lose spinach and salad greens at the salad bar or in the lose section (depends on the store layout). I should weigh them first but I fully admit I don’t. And it’s still less than bagged greens. Plus the drawstring means no twist tie situation. I just toss them in the wash with my laundry as usual and keep on using them.
I didn’t read the comments but I can imagine. I have zero qualms with you tossing your small bag in the store garbage can. As someone mentioned above, I toss in my Starbucks cup or tissues or fast food bag or whatever in there so why not a raisin bag?!
Nancy D says
Ha! I just HAVE to comment on the mother/daughter “garbage crusaders” photos. First: Ummmm…..black shirts, black glasses and pony tails…..DEFINITELY cool!
Secondly: What an awesome building to have a garbage system like that!
(I bet you two have a blast together!)
Jenn in Indiana says
Nancy, I also noticed all the similarities in Mavis and her mom. It totally made me smile. I have never seen a garbage system like that. It deserves its own blog post. Or maybe I am just to “country” and need to get out more? Which could totally be the case.
Mavis says
Ha! Well, I guess the inevitable is happening. Lucky I got the mom I did, so it’s not too bad a deal 🙂
Loretta says
Oh oh oh, I just read that you can use quilting cotton as a dental floss substitute! So then it could be composted, and I bet it would feel a lot nicer than the nasty nylon floss. There is a great website called Trash Backwards which has excellent ideas. (Or maybe I read about it on this blog?)
Kirsty says
Congratulations on trying to create less rubbish, It does become second nature after a time.
I don’t use plastic single use supermarket bags – I use a cardboard box and when it starts to come apart I get another one.
I carry a floral fabric shopping bag with me – because being green doesn’t have to be ugly
Our recycling system is different to America, we don’t have recycling centres, we wash or rinse plastic and glass, and put them plus paper and cardboard loosely into a recycling bin which is picked up fortnightly. Green garden waste goes into a third bin also picked up fortnightly.
Each week our normal rubbish and either recycling or green waste is put out on nature strip for collection.
Barbara R says
Our elementary school collects plastic bags and enters a contest sponsored by TREX each year. The prize, a TREX bench for the school! Maybe one in your neighborhood does the same! If I was closer I would take all your plastic bags!
jenny says
That is awesome!! Never heard of this before.
Linda Anderson says
Hi Mavis,
I was able to cut way back on my use of freezer bags by purchasing 24 oz. hinged deli containers at our local restaurant supply business. They are perfect for all the garden produce put in the freezer each year. The container’s lids are hinged, they nestle into each other perfectly, arranging the freezer is a breeze, and they are reusable. I put a label on the front of each container for ease of identifying the contents. A box of 200 (sounds like a lot, but it isn’t) cost me $40.00+ and will last for years.
Patty P says
So after reading some comments on past posts, I realized that not only reducing actual trash is important, but reducing even the items that go into our recycling bins is important too. Normally I put out four to six recycling bins every other week…this week I was able to put out TWO. I’m separating out all of my plastic bag/wrapper type materials and taking them for recycling (although I’m trying to consciously make the decision NOT to get items packaged in these items). We have also been using food from our cupboards and freezer for the past month or so, so my purchases are much less than normal. I’m also reading the Zero Waste Home book that you recommended….lots to think about!
Leslie says
Garbage gate! hahaha!
Carol says
The packaging commonly used for fresh spinach really bugs me. The plastic bags, but more so the rigid plastic boxes that cannot be recycled, at least where I live. I have totally stopped buying those and wish they would fade away from use. I recently bought a bunch of organic spinach at Fred Meyer for $2.49 and after removing the stems and triple washing it I weighed it to discover I had 10 ounces of fresh spinach! That was less than the fresh organic spinach in bags or boxes, and I will reuse the twist tie in my garden.
Those rigid plastic boxes also contain popular salad mixes. I wonder how much of that ends up in landfills?
Teckla says
Does ANYONE out there use a Water Pik any more? I have since the early 70s and love it. The one I have now is probably my 3rd one and I bought a backup after I bought the last one because it took me a while to find one. I was worried that they might stop making them. The one I’m currently using and the new one will last me for the rest of my life!
There is some ugly and some good in this picture.
The good! It’s saved me more money in dental care than I can begin to estimate. A good Pik costs somewhere between $40-$70, depending on your local stores and general area.
My goal is to use it at least once a day, before bed, more often if a particular meal warrants it. (Steak, salad and corn on the cob, for example, and you don’t want to see what is in the sink!)
The water pressure is adjustable so you can start out easy and work your way up.
It’s like giving your mouth a shower – completely washes out food particles so keeps your mouth really fresh and clean.
It massages the gums while washing just under the edge which promotes good blood flow which is good for dental health. I am 68 now and have no gum loss at all. Both my dentist and hygienist are impressed.
I have had fewer cavities and other issues over the years.
Since I am diabetic all of the above are extra, extra pluses.
The ugly: If you don’t clean/care for your Pik properly, you will have a nasty, moldy mess! Especially if you live in a humid area.
Don’t pay attention to the package instructions, necessarily!
Do NOT replace the cover/basin so that the Pik cannot dry out completely between uses. I dry mine with a towel and lay the basin on top with the opening turned to the wall to minimize splash contamination.
Keep it clean and dust free by wiping with a clean, damp rag or towel each week, or as needed.
Occasionally, run a little Hydrogen Peroxide through with water, then run again with just plain water. The light bleaching action helps keep the Pik clean.
You can use peroxide when you Pik, but I found it caused my teeth to be sensitive.
You can also use mouth wash, but I strongly recommend against doing that. Most mouth wash has some sugar and can trigger mold growth in the tubing and parts. Not good!
The water in your area can cause a dark scale build up so it’s important to run water through the handle parts from time to time and shake well before setting it to day.
{Mavis, you could probably tent a gallon zip lock loosely over your Pik and occasionally rinse and dry the bag.} The individual Piks have slots on the base for storage, but those would be under the plastic if you are worried about air borne germs.
I am a widow with no children or pets so have fewer concerns of that nature.
Bottom line, the benefits are so worth the very few minutes it takes to keep your Pik clean and dry.
So, for a few minutes a day and an investment of around $180-$225 over 44 years, in addition to normal cleanings and check ups, has been an overwhelming success for me and I still have one brand new, unused Pik. Yes, I have some crowns now and some fillings, but far, far fewer than what I would have had otherwise. And, no floss. Although, I think cotton thread is a great substitute and have used in my younger years. PS, and I had no dental care at all until I was in my 20s and had married.
Sorry this has gotten so long. Really trying to show the pros and cons.
Vanessa says
What do you do with the dog do?
Wren says
Doggie dooley perhaps?