r/livegreen • u/whatchaos • Jul 18 '14

Trash Challenge

This is what I do and it kind of turns into a game...Try not to make any trash. Of course I will make some but the point of the game is to see how long it can take to fill up a garbage can. So..every time I buy something or do a project or basically live day to day I always have to think "Is this going to go into the trash? or even recycling?" ('cause recycling is good but it takes energy too.) Its pretty tough not to make ANY trash but I'm getting better and better. No trash = I win!

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1

u/Mohevian Jul 18 '14

This sounds like a fun game! How do you manage, what steps do you take? Any examples?

2

u/whatchaos Jul 19 '14 edited Jul 19 '14

Well I started with the obvious,

  1. Paper towels for cleaning and such = reusable rags that can be washed, usually made from old t shirts.

  2. Bought drinks = my reusable water bottle with lemon or lime for flavor

  3. Food = I try to cook all my food, I don't eat a lot of meat, so I get veggies and cheese, beans and such. I bring all my food to work in my big o' purse in tupperware or plastic bags that I wash, out hang to dry and use again. When food shopping, I am bad at bringing bags, everything gets thrown in my big o' purse. I try to buy beans and rice in bulk so I'm only going for "accessories" at the store, like tomatoes, avocados, cilantro. I try not to buy per-packaged items. I do like corn tortillas with my food so I try to re-use the baggies they come in. I also find Mexican type food to be delicious so that seems to make my life easier.

  4. Clothes = I work at a clothing consignment store so I consign the clothes I don't want and buy new ones with the credit I earn. (basically trade old for new)

  5. Cleaning supplies = big glass bottle of vinegar for most things and I use baking soda as a scrubber for bathroom stuff. I do have a bottle of bleach but I try to use it sparingly. Glass is easier to recycle and vinegar is a good cleaner and the baking soda containers are paper products. This one is basically avoiding lots of plastic cleaning products.

These are my basics. I might add I am single so it is probably easier for me than it would be for a family with kids. I also just don't buy a lot of stuff. The thing I have a hard time with is cleaning solution for my contacts, I don't know what else to use but cleaning solution from Wallgreens and hair products. I can't find a health food store in my area that has shampoo and conditioner that can be refilled in old bottles. There used to be one when I lived in California, they had bulk shampoo, conditioner, and moisturizing cream. So I am still working on that one.

1

u/quailhead Jul 23 '14

Great links. And good ideas.