reduce, reuse, recycle

Close to 100 cardboard boxes (from moving) at the recycling center. Yay!

I’m trying to reuse every scrap of paper I can lay my hands on. Even if it’s written on, I’m making use of blank spaces and even after the page has been scribbled to the point of illegibility, I make sure it goes into the recycling bin. I’ll probably go one step further though and start buying writing pads that use recycled paper that costs a fraction of what the normal stuff costs.

Obviously, this “thing” is an ongoing crusade against wastefulness, but I’ve taken huge strides toward reducing my waste. Having it listed as a goal as made me much more cognizant of the choices I make. I’ll strive to keep it in the forefront of my mind when making decisions, but for now, I feel pretty confident marking it as complete.

Seen this on another forum. Wow what an act of patience and ingenuity!
http://www.pinktentacle.com/2008/04/canoe-made-from-disposable-chopsticks/

I’ve been careful to recycle, switched to glass containers with lids or my bento for lunches, stopped using paper products, stopped using my microwave and dishwasher, started doing laundry by hand, started taking better care of my clothes, keep everything unplugged or on a power strip that I keep turned off when not in use, use cloth pads, stopped buying anything I didn’t need, got produce bags that extend the life of my veggies, I live in an apt and was able to turn off the radiators 3 weeks ago and rely on heat from adjoining apartments…ummm well that’s all I can think of off hand.

I still have the goal of being more frugal, which I’ll use to log new habits as they are implemented….since the two goals are closely related.

• Reuse water bottles
• Recycle paper, cartons and plastic (the council collects these from our block of flats fortnightly I think)
• Repair damaged clothes/shoes where possible.
• Leave nothing on standby
• Wash dishes by hand instead of using the dishwasher
• Wash clothes at 30 degrees and hang them up instead of sticking them in the dryer

• Stop getting take-out coffee, or at least not as often.
• Grow some of my own food, and have the occasional peek in supermarket/health food shop bins.
• Buy local more often
• Reduce our amount of kitchen waste, particularly the amount of food thrown out
• Reduce the amount of new clothes I buy. The only exception to this would be shoes (I’m not an utter shoe fiend or owt; I own eight pairs) – although I am for the most part a practical rather than symbolic vegan, I don’t really feel comfortable wearing leather shoes.
• Switch to cloth menstrual pads
• Switch to the co-operative bank
• Have extra blankets on my bed or put another layer of clothing on instead of having the heating on constantly
• Be conscientious about my level of consumption and actively work to reduce it

a few goals I would like to accomplish at the end of this week for this challenge.

1. learn about composting

2. find a place to drop off recycling in Akron Fudging Ohio as landlord stop paying for our trash removal service.

3. find containers to separate waste for said recycling

4. replace lost water bottle. ((sigh))

5. make a goodwill trip

It’s part of my life but there’s always room for improvement. I’m a good recycler and I like the example it sends to my children. I like knowing that they’re growing up knowing that it’s important to protect our environment and that they’ll do it naturally. I gave my old yarn to a housebound senior that knits most days. It was nice to give it to someone I know will use and appreciate it. I love to find new homes for old things. There’s a satisfacation in it. I’m using some old curtains in a quilt I’m making and even using the lining. I’m also doing alot of cleaning with only water and a rag. I was raised to believe you needed a spray cleaner or something and as simple as it sounds life is easier than that. I’m already hanging clothes outside. Sometimes I have to wear snow boots but it’s been worth it. Lastly we are working so hard in this house to waste nothing in the refrigerator. All is getting consumed before it goes to waste and even the dogs get a few treats mixed with their food. Hey I’ve been deboning alot of chickens. That’s not my favorite job or even close to it but I use all of it.

Okay. I’ve got the recycling part down. I’m borderline obsessed with it.

Now with the reducing. I’ve started taking my own tote bags to the market. I try not to buy things in styrofoam because I can’t find anywhere to recycle it. I try to buy local, handmade things as much as possible (less packaging). One of the main things I wanted to accomplish here is to reduce my junk mail. I’ll have to start looking into that soon. Does anyone like junk mail? I think there should be a law against it.

Now about the reusing. I reuse plastic butter containers for leftovers & jars for my crafty things. I should start washing out the plastic kitchen baggies & reusing them, but I find it time consuming. I’ll do it, though. I feel a little pang of guilt in my chest every time I throw one away. Also, I want to start making things out of our old clothes or giving them to charity where they’ll be reused.

I think I’ll go ahead & cross this off. There is always improvement to be done, but I’m satisfied by my enthusiasm & progress.

This is one I’ve been working on for a while. I just need to branch out and get more consistent. And remember to bring my containers and shopping bags with me more often!