Comments on: The "Go Trash Free" Challenge! http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/06/23/the-go-trash-free-challenge/ Green and Natural Parenting Thu, 24 May 2012 18:38:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Sara http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/06/23/the-go-trash-free-challenge/#comment-12510 Sara Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:06:03 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2997#comment-12510 I am a Torontonian chiming in to say we have not put anything out on the curb for pickup for over two weeks. But that is because the city (trash pickup workers included) is on strike with no end in sight. As green minded as we think we are, there is nothing like a strike to shake our reality and force us to admit how lazy we've become simply because someone else will come and take it away for us every week. So what if it is neatly sorted into all of the responsible categories. Output is still output. We are frustrated with our accumulating piles of output for a variety of reasons. But the silver lining is that our strike is a wakeup call for many of us. Neighbours are getting creative. Those of us who have procrastinated starting that composting project are no longer procrastinating. All around the city we are taking a good hard look (and smell) at the waste we are producing. Ultimately not a bad thing if it forces us to start better habits. For anyone else who needs a little kick in the backside to put Tiffany's great ideas in action, just pretend that your local trash removal service is no longer available! Great post Tiffany!! And very timely for some of us! I am a Torontonian chiming in to say we have not put anything out on the curb for pickup for over two weeks. But that is because the city (trash pickup workers included) is on strike with no end in sight. As green minded as we think we are, there is nothing like a strike to shake our reality and force us to admit how lazy we’ve become simply because someone else will come and take it away for us every week. So what if it is neatly sorted into all of the responsible categories. Output is still output. We are frustrated with our accumulating piles of output for a variety of reasons. But the silver lining is that our strike is a wakeup call for many of us. Neighbours are getting creative. Those of us who have procrastinated starting that composting project are no longer procrastinating. All around the city we are taking a good hard look (and smell) at the waste we are producing. Ultimately not a bad thing if it forces us to start better habits. For anyone else who needs a little kick in the backside to put Tiffany’s great ideas in action, just pretend that your local trash removal service is no longer available!

Great post Tiffany!! And very timely for some of us!

]]> By: PureMothers http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/06/23/the-go-trash-free-challenge/#comment-12509 PureMothers Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:19:08 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2997#comment-12509 I think this is awesome and we're making strides at home too. But I just don't know how to reuse a tube of toothpaste or a battery - and some things just need batteries. Although we will be replacing with the new green batteries that came out sans mercury and cadmium. I would be wary of bone ash because cow bones can contain high amounts of lead. You don't want your veggies to be high in lead either. Fortunately, we don't eat mammals in our home so we don't need to address that one. :-) Just a FYI tip. I am impressed with your commitment to going trash free. I would love to hear how you tackle the other items in your home unrelated to the kitchen and that last longer than a few days. ie. pens, laundry powder packaging, toothpaste, floss. You get the idea. Do you not buy these items or reuse the containers? I think this is awesome and we’re making strides at home too. But I just don’t know how to reuse a tube of toothpaste or a battery – and some things just need batteries. Although we will be replacing with the new green batteries that came out sans mercury and cadmium.

I would be wary of bone ash because cow bones can contain high amounts of lead. You don’t want your veggies to be high in lead either. Fortunately, we don’t eat mammals in our home so we don’t need to address that one. :-) Just a FYI tip.

I am impressed with your commitment to going trash free. I would love to hear how you tackle the other items in your home unrelated to the kitchen and that last longer than a few days. ie. pens, laundry powder packaging, toothpaste, floss. You get the idea. Do you not buy these items or reuse the containers?

]]> By: Rapunzel http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/06/23/the-go-trash-free-challenge/#comment-12508 Rapunzel Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:00:47 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2997#comment-12508 This is a great challenge! Not having a compost (yet) I'm not able to join you yet but I'll be reading & learning how you all do so hopefully I can jump on board sometime soon! This is a great challenge! Not having a compost (yet) I’m not able to join you yet but I’ll be reading & learning how you all do so hopefully I can jump on board sometime soon!

]]> By: Tiffany http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/06/23/the-go-trash-free-challenge/#comment-12507 Tiffany Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:11:44 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2997#comment-12507 Daria, Menstrual cups, sea sponge tampons, or cloth pads are green options. Daria,

Menstrual cups, sea sponge tampons, or cloth pads are green options.

]]> By: Daria http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/06/23/the-go-trash-free-challenge/#comment-12506 Daria Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:25:45 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2997#comment-12506 What do you do with feminine hygiene products? Can you actually deal with them in a "green" way or do you have to use a Diva Cup? (I live in a country with no green mentality. Recycling is barely starting out very shyly, so excuse the probably dumb question.) What do you do with feminine hygiene products? Can you actually deal with them in a “green” way or do you have to use a Diva Cup?
(I live in a country with no green mentality. Recycling is barely starting out very shyly, so excuse the probably dumb question.)

]]> By: Caroline Woodward http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/06/23/the-go-trash-free-challenge/#comment-12505 Caroline Woodward Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:58:27 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2997#comment-12505 This is a great idea. I have been so good at bringing my shopping bags to the market/grocery store, that I've run out of the stash of bags I've been using for trashcan liners. Perhaps this is the solution! This is a great idea. I have been so good at bringing my shopping bags to the market/grocery store, that I’ve run out of the stash of bags I’ve been using for trashcan liners. Perhaps this is the solution!

]]> By: Amber http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/06/23/the-go-trash-free-challenge/#comment-12504 Amber Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:46:15 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2997#comment-12504 I love the idea. I'm not sure that I'm ready, but you've made me re-think some of my excuses. I have greatly reduced my trash recently, I wonder what it would take to cut it in half. Hmm.... I love the idea. I’m not sure that I’m ready, but you’ve made me re-think some of my excuses. I have greatly reduced my trash recently, I wonder what it would take to cut it in half. Hmm….

]]> By: Martina http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/06/23/the-go-trash-free-challenge/#comment-12503 Martina Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:29:37 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2997#comment-12503 Love the idea. Am on board. I've always wanted a compost, and now we're building one. Thank you for this important post - it really got me motivated! I grew up in Germany, and my father had this weird ambition 20 years ago when recycling first became known/popular to reduce his trash to the absolute minimum. He was the first in our neighborhood to compost with worms - I was embarrassed back then, now I'm embarrassed that I didn't support him more. Love the idea. Am on board. I’ve always wanted a compost, and now we’re building one. Thank you for this important post – it really got me motivated! I grew up in Germany, and my father had this weird ambition 20 years ago when recycling first became known/popular to reduce his trash to the absolute minimum. He was the first in our neighborhood to compost with worms – I was embarrassed back then, now I’m embarrassed that I didn’t support him more.

]]> By: Lizzie http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/06/23/the-go-trash-free-challenge/#comment-12502 Lizzie Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:38:23 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2997#comment-12502 you have some great ideas I never thought of, like bring my own containers for left overs while eating out. brilliant! good luck!!! you have some great ideas I never thought of, like bring my own containers for left overs while eating out. brilliant! good luck!!!

]]> By: Michelle http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/06/23/the-go-trash-free-challenge/#comment-12501 Michelle Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:56:40 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2997#comment-12501 There is a website called FREECYCLE. www.freecycle.org It's local so you can watch the stuff near you. If you really need -say: a new set of shelves; or are - say: wanting to get rid of a set that is still serviceable.... then this is a great place. They don't like resale people, but the recycling is great. That old monitor may not work for you, but a freecycle 'geek' might just know what to do to fix it and make it useful to him or her. If there's not one in your area, email the freecyclers and ask that they set up shop in your hometown. PS. Love this site!! There is a website called FREECYCLE.
http://www.freecycle.org
It’s local so you can watch the stuff near you. If you really need -say: a new set of shelves; or are – say: wanting to get rid of a set that is still serviceable…. then this is a great place. They don’t like resale people, but the recycling is great. That old monitor may not work for you, but a freecycle ‘geek’ might just know what to do to fix it and make it useful to him or her. If there’s not one in your area, email the freecyclers and ask that they set up shop in your hometown.

PS. Love this site!!

]]> By: Melissa M. http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/06/23/the-go-trash-free-challenge/#comment-12500 Melissa M. Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:06:49 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2997#comment-12500 This is a great challenge. We are not quite ready to do it, because we are in the middle of a move, but in our new home we are going to finally compost. We've been in an apartment complex with no composting. I like Alyssa's questions. I have the same dilemmas. Also, what do you do with wrappers. As much as we try not to buy things with wrappers-granola bars, organic fruits, what do you do with them? We feel so lucky living in Seattle that our city is really pushing green living. We have city composting and they even take pizza boxes! This is a great challenge. We are not quite ready to do it, because we are in the middle of a move, but in our new home we are going to finally compost. We’ve been in an apartment complex with no composting.

I like Alyssa’s questions. I have the same dilemmas. Also, what do you do with wrappers. As much as we try not to buy things with wrappers-granola bars, organic fruits, what do you do with them?

We feel so lucky living in Seattle that our city is really pushing green living. We have city composting and they even take pizza boxes!

]]> By: Lia Mack http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/06/23/the-go-trash-free-challenge/#comment-12499 Lia Mack Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:55:16 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2997#comment-12499 Awesome! I'm excited to have some fellow green mamas on board ;) It's really upsetting to watch other people trash the Earth, isn't it? I was just at one of those big box grocery stores where they hand out free samples...someone overheard me mention to my 5yo that using a styrophome cup to sample apple juice - and tossing it immediately afterwards into the TRASH - wasn't worth the 5 seconds the container was used due to the amount of pollution it cost to create the cup, and then the amount of pollution it'll contribute to the ever growing trashcan sample table side...people just roll their eyes, but then pop pills the next minute trying to fight off cancer... fast food industry...businesses...schools...they all need to join the challenge! ;) the only way to get this type of thing going is to do it greatly and show others the way - how easy and fun it is. The 'green' fever will catch on in mass eventually ;) Awesome! I’m excited to have some fellow green mamas on board ;)

It’s really upsetting to watch other people trash the Earth, isn’t it? I was just at one of those big box grocery stores where they hand out free samples…someone overheard me mention to my 5yo that using a styrophome cup to sample apple juice – and tossing it immediately afterwards into the TRASH – wasn’t worth the 5 seconds the container was used due to the amount of pollution it cost to create the cup, and then the amount of pollution it’ll contribute to the ever growing trashcan sample table side…people just roll their eyes, but then pop pills the next minute trying to fight off cancer…

fast food industry…businesses…schools…they all need to join the challenge! ;)

the only way to get this type of thing going is to do it greatly and show others the way – how easy and fun it is. The ‘green’ fever will catch on in mass eventually ;)

]]> By: Kim http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/06/23/the-go-trash-free-challenge/#comment-12498 Kim Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:26:32 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2997#comment-12498 Our neighborhood actually offers recycling as part of the regular service and provides bins. I cant believe how many people dont recycle. Its just as easy to drop the stuff in one bin as another. My kids want to take stuff from my neighbors' curb side to place in recycle. There will be boxes just laying there. Recyclables just laid out. Thats laziness people. Our neighborhood actually offers recycling as part of the regular service and provides bins. I cant believe how many people dont recycle. Its just as easy to drop the stuff in one bin as another. My kids want to take stuff from my neighbors’ curb side to place in recycle. There will be boxes just laying there. Recyclables just laid out. Thats laziness people.

]]> By: Alyssa http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/06/23/the-go-trash-free-challenge/#comment-12497 Alyssa Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:46:48 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2997#comment-12497 I love this challenge. We actually started doing this when we moved to Knoxville. It is addictive to see how little our trash that goes out to the curb got. We have a trash compactor plus we have huge recycle bins and a compost bin in our kitchen. When it was trash day, we had one little cube of trash for this humungous trash can that went out to the curb. We have now canceled our trash pick up ($30 a month) and I take our one little cube to a sold waste drop off once a week. They are supposed to charge based off of the weight of my car before and after. Well, one little cube doesn't really weigh anything, so they have never charged me to drop off my trash. Add that up ad it is a $360/year savings!!! I would like to get to ZERO trash, however that would have to be really creative!!! We recycle just about everything, but what do you do with the following: Leftovers that end up not eaten and cannot go into the compost, such as something with cheese or meat in it) Styrofoam cups for the kids that they take home from a restaurant so that they don't tip over while they are eating dinner (kiddy cups provided by the restaurant that are styrofoam). Bathroom items such as Q-Tips and floss that don't fit a specific category for recycling Items that are a combination of product that dont fall into a specific category (ex: horizon to go milk that is paper, but has plastic lining on the inside). These are the types of items that make it into our trash. Not perfect, but pretty darn good, especially since the trash compactor packs it down to literally a 6 inch by 1 foot block per week. I look back a few years and remember us having three or four trash bags full each week. Also, I walk in the morning before work and on trash day, I find myself looking at the overflowing trash containers and saying "man, they could just recycle that". I love this challenge. We actually started doing this when we moved to Knoxville. It is addictive to see how little our trash that goes out to the curb got. We have a trash compactor plus we have huge recycle bins and a compost bin in our kitchen.

When it was trash day, we had one little cube of trash for this humungous trash can that went out to the curb. We have now canceled our trash pick up ($30 a month) and I take our one little cube to a sold waste drop off once a week. They are supposed to charge based off of the weight of my car before and after. Well, one little cube doesn’t really weigh anything, so they have never charged me to drop off my trash. Add that up ad it is a $360/year savings!!!

I would like to get to ZERO trash, however that would have to be really creative!!! We recycle just about everything, but what do you do with the following:

Leftovers that end up not eaten and cannot go into the compost, such as something with cheese or meat in it)

Styrofoam cups for the kids that they take home from a restaurant so that they don’t tip over while they are eating dinner (kiddy cups provided by the restaurant that are styrofoam).

Bathroom items such as Q-Tips and floss that don’t fit a specific category for recycling

Items that are a combination of product that dont fall into a specific category (ex: horizon to go milk that is paper, but has plastic lining on the inside).

These are the types of items that make it into our trash. Not perfect, but pretty darn good, especially since the trash compactor packs it down to literally a 6 inch by 1 foot block per week.

I look back a few years and remember us having three or four trash bags full each week. Also, I walk in the morning before work and on trash day, I find myself looking at the overflowing trash containers and saying “man, they could just recycle that”.

]]> By: Jackie http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/06/23/the-go-trash-free-challenge/#comment-12496 Jackie Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:32:20 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2997#comment-12496 I totally agree - it drives me crazy that my closest grocery store (that I can walk to) packages all the organic veggies!!! Aaahhh!!!! I totally agree – it drives me crazy that my closest grocery store (that I can walk to) packages all the organic veggies!!! Aaahhh!!!!

]]> By: Tamara @ Parenting By Nature http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/06/23/the-go-trash-free-challenge/#comment-12495 Tamara @ Parenting By Nature Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:27:05 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2997#comment-12495 FABULOUS ideas!! We've been trying to be trash-free for the past year and it's really a difficult task. We are no where near where I'd like to be, and retailers do not make this easy for consumers (really, does ORGANIC asparagus need saran wrap at the grocery store!?!). This is an important topic, and I hope many of your readers rise to the challenge. :) FABULOUS ideas!! We’ve been trying to be trash-free for the past year and it’s really a difficult task. We are no where near where I’d like to be, and retailers do not make this easy for consumers (really, does ORGANIC asparagus need saran wrap at the grocery store!?!). This is an important topic, and I hope many of your readers rise to the challenge. :)

]]> By: Heather http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/06/23/the-go-trash-free-challenge/#comment-12494 Heather Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:00:58 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2997#comment-12494 I'm in! We are already super recyclers and composters. This is probably a stupid question, but how do you make bone ash? Do you just throw them in the fire? I’m in! We are already super recyclers and composters. This is probably a stupid question, but how do you make bone ash? Do you just throw them in the fire?

]]> By: Jane http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/06/23/the-go-trash-free-challenge/#comment-12493 Jane Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:48:03 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2997#comment-12493 Torontonians should take this to heart, especially now when there's a strike on that includes garbage collection. I'm sending this post to my son who lives in Toronto with his family. Torontonians should take this to heart, especially now when there’s a strike on that includes garbage collection. I’m sending this post to my son who lives in Toronto with his family.

]]>