Transitions: The Problem with Grocery Stores

Tonight, I ventured into Ukrop's to do a little shopping. Keeping in mind my upcoming trashless lifestyle choice, I brought along my own reusable bags. Score 1 point for me.

After selecting a few items, I came across Clif Bars, which I usually get, but I had to balk at the non-recyclable wrapper. And they have the nerve to say the company is committed to the environment.

Let it be known that Clif Bars are the first casualty in my war on trash. Plus 1 for me.

Soon I found there were very few things that I could actually buy that was in recyclable packaging. I went for some pita bread but because of the unlabeled plastic packaging I had to opt for a brown paper bag wrapped Billy Loaf. Plus 1.

I also opted for canned tins of mackerel and herring instead of the plastic wrapped fresh fish.

I will admit I got some single serving yogurt cups, will have to devour and dispose of those before Jan 1. Minus 3 points for me.


Finally I decided not to use plastic bags for my produce. What is the point. I just threw them in the cart with out any produce plastic. That felt good, I'll go ahead and give my self 2 points for that.


So tonight I discovered how hard this challenge will be, and how much my buying habits and diet will have to change.


So that's 2 arbitrary points for me.

Post Christmas Waste

I was happy to see that the recycling bin behind the Science Museum was filled with some discarded wrapping paper, but this prompted me to think about all the wrapping paper NOT recycled. What a waste.

I miss the days when my Grandma still wrapped presents in left over funny pages from the newspaper. I wrapped my presents in plain brown packing paper I got some packages in and used left over gift bags from last year.

I cringed to see the trashbags full of wrapping paper at my grandma's yesterday afternoon after presents had been open. As I left I saw the bags in the back of my grandpa's Isuzu pup. I told myself they'll get dropped in the recycling bin at the dump.

Less than 7 days before I give up the trash-habit. I better finish all the saran wrapped cakes and pies I took home.

Trepidation

After witnessing the waste-fest that is Christmas, I am ready and excited to embark on my trash free pilgrimage. I am nervous, and wary, however, of the sacrifices and self-discipline it will require.

So here is a little story from the Christian Science Monitor I came across to give me some inspiration, even though the reporter pretty much fails her task of one week without trash. I think I can at least out last her, and that gives me a shred of hope I will do well.

The Plan

My New Year's Resolution:

No More Trash.

Sound insane?

What's more insane is the average American produces four pounds of trash a day. That adds up to more than 200 million pounds a year for all of us combined.

Why am I doing this? Good question. I'm not exactly sure, but I'll go with the concept that overconsumption and wastefulness are as good enough things to give up as anything. I'm trying to change my ways. I recycle, but I still feel a cloud over my head everytime I throw a bag of trash down the chute.

So here are the rules I am setting out for myself:

1. The first line of defense is to avoid buying trash if at all possible. This means bringing my own coffee cup for on the go runs at the local shop, not buying products packaged in non-recyclable materials, etc, etc.

2. I'll will try to buy used and second hand items, or barter.

3. Anything that is recyclable, I shall recycle.

4. Anything of use or value that I no longer have a need for I will barter, donate, or sell.

5. I'll attempt to mix my own cleaning and hygiene products, and will cease to use paper towels and napkins.

6. If after I have exhausted steps 1-5, and am still left with something that I need to throw away, I will use it for other purposes, somehow someway. Hopefully I will find some creative uses for them and be able to sell the re-purposed or recreated items or barter, or gift them.

7. Anything organic will be disposed of by garbage disposal or compost.

8. The one exception to 1-7 is toilet paper. I am sorry but I am not quite ready to make that leap. Maybe in 2009.

9. If, even after all, I find myself in a situation where I cave, and I throw something away, I will report it on this blog, and you may ridicule me for it. Honestly, I am sure this will happen at some point, and it is here where I will beg for penance.

100% trash elimination is the goal, but I won't consider this experiment a failure as long as I don't fall below 90%. Of course I don't have the time to actually mathematically determine it, so it will be subjective, and this blog shall serve as the record of my progress.


If you think I am missing something, please let me know. Any feedback would be great.

If anyone wants to join in on the challenge, be my guest. I'll send you a blog invite, or you can make your own. Just let me know.

-APH