Trash is ugly.
We throw a lot of stuff away. But there's no such place as "away." It all lands somewhere, and that's a problem. To reduce the amount of solid waste you produce, you must begin thinking about that goal before you bring the next item of any kind into your life. What are the final destinations of that item's packaging, the bag you brought it home in, and what's left of the item when you're done using it? Does this Spark an idea?
Don't Buy It
Don't bring trash into your life. Say you need to buy some pencils. You pick out some at the store. They come in a giant blister pack so a shoplifter can't slip them into a pocket. The cashier puts them in a plastic bag. You bring them home and cut two fingers while extracting them from the plastic package. By the time you can jot a note with your new pencils, you have the following spread out over your dining table: a plastic bag you used for one minute to carry your purchase to your car; a ripped up blister pack; wrappers from two bandages; and some pencils.
How could you do it differently? For some small items, especially electronics and computer stuff, it's hard to avoid blister packs. Complain. Find out if there's a way to recycle the stupid things in your area. But if your item is available without a blister pack, buy that one, and let people (store personnel, the manufacturer) know why you chose that brand. Repeat this for every similar purchase.
Don't let the nice lady put it in a bag. Bring your own bag, or just carry it out to your car. There ... no bag. Get a ChicoBag, which scrunches down into its own tiny built-in pouch and fits in a purse or pocket.
Don't buy anything with "disposable" in the name. Use your own cup. Wash the diapers. Use a rag to clean the sink and shower. Use real dishes and silverware.
Think this through every time you make a purchase. What version of what you need will generate the least trash over its lifetime?
Be Careful How it Leaves Your Life
How can you release something from your life without recourse to the trash can? If it still works, clean it up and donate it. If it's recyclable, recycle it. If it will rot, compost it.
Reuse disposable things: wash plastic silverware, use mailing materials for the next package you send.
Repair things. Yes, your toaster only cost $15, but maybe a wire just came loose and you can fix it. Check out a home repair book from the library and give it a try.
Reuse things in a different way from their original purpose. Plastic and Styrofoam cups make great seed starters. Cut up worn cotton or wool clothing for cleaning rags. Plant pansies in your old beyond-fixing holey boots. Get creative. Think outside the can.
Tags: blister pack, carry your, into your, into your life, some pencils, things your, your life