Reducing Household Garbage

By

JustPlainJo

I have to agree with Mulberry204. I'm an allergy sufferer, too, and smoke from burning trash makes my allergies even worse. Also, while burning trash in the country might not affect those nearby, it still affects the ozone layer.
May I suggest Freecycle? There are groups in a lot of places you wouldn't expect, we even have one in my small city. I'm currently collecting our empty egg cartons and whatever else I can think of, and post once I have an amount someone else might be able to use.
Since you're already recycling, I know your used jars would be clean. I've seen "wanted" posts on my Freecycle group for empty boxes, and a variety of things. If it's clean and reusable, it's Freecyclable.
For info and to see if there's a group near you, go to www.freecycle.org.

By

Noella

I understand about taking trash elsewhere, especially if one's circumstances prevent being able to afford a trash service. I've been there. I would recycle as much as possible - tin cans (lids can be removed from both ends and can smashed), plastic bottles, glass jars, paper. Garbage can be buried in the back yard/garden. For the small amount that you take into the service station - I really wouldn't worry about it. As far as the burn pile - fire reduces everything to its original elemental state, and living in the country - there are very few people who are going to be affected by whatever pollutants that might be produced - they'll probably dissipate by the time it reaches town.

By

mulberry204

I mean these comments in a nice way. If everyone dumped their small bags of trash at retail locations - or anywhere except the dump. Think how expensive it would be for the retailers? What right do any of us have to place our trash in gas stations, malls, whatever? I have a friend who also does this & justifies it in her own mind, but it offends me.

A gas station does not owe you trash dumping services. Also, as an allergy sufferer, I do not like trash pit or barrel burning. It is an air pollutant for everyone, & particularly bad for allergy, & breathing problem sufferers as well as others. What you have is a miniature "dump" with burning wastes. When I lived in the South, many people had trash burning. It made my breathing miserable as well as polluted air for everyone. Just my thoughts.

By Linda (Guest Post)

I don't know how you handle Christmas, but I would suggest your gifts be hand made or something you have baked like cookies. You could wrap them in the leftover cereal type boxes. If you don't give to family, how about giving to a homeless shelter or senior home, etc. I reuse paper towels that I put in freezer bags that I have washed out. The towel absorbs the water in the bag. It will dry out and can be put in another bag to absorb moisture again.

I reuse the black containers from Lean Cuisine meals for other meals I have made ahead. I put the container in a quart size freezer bag, perfect fit, and freeze. Can fix meals for this purpose or store leftovers for future use. Do not use the bags with the tab you slide across, use the ones you have to close yourself.

My homeworker and I made hamburger helper on our weekly cooking day, and got three containers to freeze. I see nothing wrong using the container at a gas station, people clean out their cars and put stuff in them. If you used a neighbors container, it would be different. I for one appreciate all the efforts you do to recycle, wish more people were that thoughtful.

By caseye (Guest Post)

Recycle everything possible! Plastic liter bottles (actually, plastic of every kind is now being taken in my area of Texas), aluminum cans, metal cans, glass, newspapers, junk mail, etc. Recycling costs way less than using raw materials to make new things. Think of creative ways to "repurpose" things before they end up in the recycle bin: use greeting cards for new cards, tags, placemats, doorknob hangers, boxes, etc. Use cereal boxes for purses. Fill plastic liter bottles with things you can mail to friends. A wealth of ideas can make repurposing fun and creative!

By

melody_yesterday

jmz2005 :
i really like the insulating the dog house idea & will try the mousepad thing --

i made a footstool from dinnerplate sized recycled cardboard box circles stacked about 18" high & covered -- secure sections of the circles (i did 5 sections up in tape) or they will slide every which way

Ree 127 : i like the seedlings idea too - but i have cut back to only buying 1/2 gal jugs of milk at a time since it is only me drinking it -- would still be ok for plants though too

camo_angels :
another good idea! thanks

thanks everyone !

By Shellee (Guest Post)

For items like milk jugs and cereal boxes, try advertising them on freecycle.com or on the free craiglist. Many people use them, especially gardeners and teachers, and may be grateful to get them!