i kept a month's worth of trash
- julia
- May 13, 2019
- 5 min read
(I am almost not even sure where to start with this because it seems sorta crazy to do such a thing.)
One of my favorite bloggers, Lauren Singer (Trash is for Tossers), after making the switch to zero-waste, kept any trash that she had for FOUR YEARS in a mason jar. She always keeps it just in case she thinks of a new way to up-cycle something! I took some inspiration from her, but since I am still pretty new to this game I wanted to do something a bit smaller, and a little more attainable, so I wouldn't even allow myself the chance to get discouraged or feel like I failed.
I set out a small paper bag on my shelf and started putting anything that wouldn't compost or recycle inside.
The first week was absolutely the hardest and most of the trash I collected was from that week. The second week was much better, I got more particular about what kind of trash I was producing and cut even more than I already have. By the fourth week, I was putting in almost nothing.
I think part of the reason keeping trash around really seemed to make an impact on how much I was creating is because it held me accountable. I was watching the bag fill up with every little thing I put in there, and my one goal was to not make more trash than the bag could hold, so I cut more, and more, and more.
Now, what was I actually throwing out? Let's take a look.
Two poly mailers
Snickers wrapper
Small plastic bag that had candy inside
Four Easter candy wrappers
Two truffle wrappers
Gluten free licorice
Sheet mask & wrapper
Two bags of chips
Bagel bag
Three plastics bags from frozen chicken nuggets
Cracker bag
Garrett's Popcorn bag
Wrapper from bananas (don't even get me started on this one)
Twist-tie from spinach
Plastic cover from vegan cream cheese
Cover from a container of vegan yogurt
Plastic bag I honestly cannot remember from what
Little packet of silica gel
Plastic tag that held a price tag on an item of clothing
Small piece of plastic I don't remember
Looking at the pile of trash in front of me, I was super proud of what I accomplished, but after listing it all, I realized there is still a long ways to go.
Now, I don't want to just write a post that screams "look how much better I am doing at saving the earth than you," SO. I want to give you the ways I am going to cut this trash out of my life, and you can too.
Stop ordering online altogether is the strict version of reducing mailing packages, but cutting down (at the very least) and shopping mindfully is the key. I cut off almost all online shopping except Etsy! I do my best to write in the comments of my orders to request that no, or very little plastic packaging is used. Some sellers are obviously more willing than others, but I do have some success.
For any food related item I had consumed I found a recipe online or a replacement. This way I can make it at home, find in it a package free solution, or cut it entirely. Now that I am not living in a dorm room anymore I have a better chance at making my own foods and treats.
I do have a few things that I allow myself to have, even if it is packaged, but I will get into that more on another post. Sometimes, you just can't make it at home or find it anywhere. There are not many things like this, but gluten-free licorice is a tricky one, and one of my favorite treats. I know that I am cutting so much in other areas that I can let myself have this one.
I have SO MANY face masks from my goo-hoarding days and I am still making my way through them, but for the future I have found some great homemade recipes I love. (If you would like whole post about the ones I like, let me know!)
THE BANANA WRAPPER. I got this unintentionally. I was picking up bananas at the grocery store, but the only ones I could find had a wrapper around them, after I got home I realized there was also plastic around the top. I found out later that the other bananas were towards the way back of the store. (-_-) I am extremely frustrated with having this piece of trash in particular considering bananas (and many fruits) have no need for any sort of packaging or wrapper because they come with it!!! Similarly, the spinach wrapper. It feels unnecessary, but better than in a plastic bag, so I am not too bent out of shape about this one.
Unfortunately, I cannot think of a direct way to cut out these silica packets, these little buggers are in EVERYTHING.
I have been getting much better at not buying new clothing, but I do thrift quite a bit. Although it is better, it still comes with the price tag. (A post about how to find things second-hand is also coming your way!)
Lastly, REFUSE PLASTIC & SINGLE USE ITEMS. That is the easiest way to say it. Make a mindful choice not to do something or purchase an item because it has plastic or is only good for one use. For example, if I am out and about and think I might want to go grab a coffee, I only do if I have my reusable cup with me. Same thing if I am at the grocery store and forget my reusable bag - I just don't get any more than I can carry, and only get what I ACTUALLY need.
Setting up this simple rule has helped me immensely - I don't buy coffee nearly as much as I want to, I am not getting things I don't need, saving me quite a bit of money, and I can feel good about making a deliberate choice to make a change. Next time you think you might just pick up a quick Starbucks on your way home, I challenge you to make the conscious choice to not - but reward yourself the next time by remembering your reusable cup! After a few times, you're creating a GOOD, SUSTAINABLE habit that you can be PROUD OF.
(PLUS, bringing in your own cup gets you a discount on your drink! Why WOULDN'T you want that!!!! I have a few links under the "FAVORITE PRODUCTS" tab for my favorite cups!)
If you have made it this far... thank you. Hold on for just a little bit longer.
I have to cut myself some slack here, because living in a dorm with limited access to a kitchen (shout out to my lovely friends) is EXTREMELY difficult. A lot of things I ate had to be convenient and fast, and I did my best but there is only so much I could do in that situation. But, now that I have a kitchen, I am so excited to be trying all the recipes I had found and experimenting with my own!
I do not want to be a person, or live in a society, that runs solely on convenience, but that is the bitter truth of today. So many people are only focused on the quick and easy solutions and eventually it is all going to fall apart - because with convenience, quality is usually lost. We need to shift our focus to longevity, taking care of our bodies, the things that we own, AND THE PLANET WE LIVE ON.
I am doing the very best that I can, and I am literally begging you do start doing the same.
xoxo
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