More Junk

As I work through the process of saving and becoming aware of every piece of trash/recycling I produce I start to see some trends in my consumption. I kicked the plastic water bottle habit about 6 years ago so I am covered there, plastic bags are no more in my life and I try my best to not to buy food with packaging.  What I am noticing is that the #1 item in my recycling bin is Junk Mail!! Until I started to pay attention to the volume of trash and recycling I produce, the Junk Mail issue seemed to be out of my control. I mean it just comes in the mail...what are you supposed to do about it? Now that I am more aware I realized I need to call the catalog companies and cancel those ASAP! Anyone know the name of that website that will cancel all of your junk mail for you? I will do some research...

Dreaded Catalogs

 

Having Fun?

I hope we are all learning a lot together and having fun through this experiment.  This is definitely a fun exercise in mindfulness.  Its only day two and I constantly find myself reaching for the recycling to trash bin.  I never knew how much I threw away/recycled whether it be as small as a gum wrapper or as large as a piece of kitchenware i have no clue how to recycle. I am trying to implement the tips below...they are super simple, helpful and empowering.

No takeout containers (yep you gotta pack that Styrofoam)

Bring reusable bags (it is super easy I promise!)

Buy pantry staples in bulk (no packaging and it is cheaper this way so you won’t empty your wallet)

No plastic water bottles (don’t we all know these are bad for our health and the environment by now!)

Shop at farmer’s market (no packaging on food items, local food is always a plus)

Buy less packaged foods (these are the most $$$ at the market)

No plastic eating utensils (they have super cute bamboo ones for sale here http://www.to-goware.com/ )

Bring a reusable coffee mug (check out the short film For the Price of a Cup of Coffee)

Compost, Compost, Compost! ( many a joke has been made about myself and composting, this is probably due to the fact I talk about it all the time. San Diego residents can find subsidized compost bins here http://www.solanacenter.org/compost-bins-and-supplies )

I thought this little trash can at Encinitas City Hall was an appropriate image for the experiment :)

A New Year's Experiment

Hello friends, community members, and citizens of planet earth,
Welcome to 2012! The New Year is always an inspirational time filled with resolutions and commitments to better ourselves. To kick off 2012, I am proposing a 7-day invitation to “Pack Your Trash”, an experiment in waste reduction. For those of you that know me, you know that I am fascinated with trash. Where does it go? How can we reduce, reuse and recycle? Why is there so much of it!?

I am inviting anyone and everyone to keep all of your trash for a week…sounds gross, time consuming or boring??  It doesn’t have to be.  I will be participating as well; there are so many things I consume and throw away that can be eliminated in the first place. Through this experiment we will discover so much about our habits and how our tendencies shape the world.  Make it a fun project with the family or friends.  I know I am probably more jazzed about this than you are, but humor me a bit.  Participate in the challenge, take pictures, post on our facebook page, share your experiences and collaborate in community.  Through this experiment may we enter a new paradigm of thought with regards to our trash, how it is disposed of and what is actually qualified as “trash.”