Just Say YES!

No doesn’t seem to get us anywhere, does it?

Yes, on the other hand, opens up a world of possibilities.

Many of you have shared your deep desire to say YES to less trash and have asked for some tips on how to get started. Here are the long awaited secrets to making a difference in the world of waste. Actually these are just common sense, simple, practical, affordable and EASY ways to start cutting down on your trash. I’ll start with Basic steps today and over the next few weeks I’ll move on to some intermediate, advanced,  and over-the-top strategies.

Basic Steps to Less Trash
Say “YES” to the following alternatives to “disposable” items.

1. Use a To-go Mug
Coffee = Good. I wouldn’t dare suggest otherwise about the world’s most popular drug. However, 365 paper cups thrown away every year = not so good. Do you want to know how much trash your paper coffee cups generate each year – check out the “Coffee Waste Calculator” at www.dzignism.com/projects/coffee.waste/ By the way, this doesn’t even include Styrofoam cups

2. Use Reusable Shopping Bags
This is not a revolutionary idea. In fact, so many people are already doing this that there is a website called reusablebags.com Living proof that market forces will ultimately move towards sustainability. According to the site, we use more than 500 billion plastic bags a year. If that just made you throw up please go brush your teeth before reading further. Check out this site to choose from a myriad of styles. Next time you go to your grocery store, encourage them to start selling reusable bags

3. Use Reusable To-go Containers
We live fast paced lives in our country. I know I do and many of my friends do too. That means we eat on the go, we buy prepared foods, we get food to go. That means A LOT of trash. It is actually easy and fun to bring your own containers to the places you love to eat. The establishment usually appreciates it because they save money on their disposable containers. Other customers are usually intrigued and often inspired. And you get to feel good about making less trash. Check out www.to-goware.com. This company makes some of the best, most useful and affordable reusable containers on the market. If that’s too much effort, reach into your kitchen cabinets and use a Tupperware container.

4. Use a Reusable Water Bottle
Americans use more than 2,000,000 water bottles every five minutes. Holy Shit is the first thing that comes to mind. Want a visual on this? Check out Chris Jordan’s mind blowing artistry at www.chrisjordan.com/current_set2.php My year of trash looks like a pinhead compared to what is depicted in this photo.

5. Repeat the phrase, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” over and over again in your head. Specifically do this every time you purchase something that will become part of the trash/recycling system. Notice the order of the words, it’s no accident.  First, REDUCE Then, if we must consume, let’s REUSE as much as we can. Lastly, if we have to buy it and we can’t reuse it, RECYCLE it whenever possible.

That's all for now...

I will post more thoughts in the next few days and more tips next week.

Have a wonderful day!!!

Comments

[Tony Tone on The Radio]

Hey!

Would love to have you on our morning show to talk about the website, and your collection!

email me bigtone@b100.net

thanks!

Tony Tone
'Red Hot Brian Scott & Tony Tone in the Morning'
All The Hits B100 KBEA FM
Quad Cities

[Beth Terry, aka Fake Plastic Fish]

Hi Ari. I'd love to chat with you some time. I wrote a little bit about your catering company in my blog post about the SF Green Festival a while back.

I keep a blog called Fake Plastic Fish ( http://www.fakeplasticfish.com ) about ways to eliminate plastic waste and significantly reduce our plastic consumption, and I like you have been collecting and tallying my plastic trash since the middle of last year.

I'd love to share with you my list of changes I've made, which include everything on your list above and many more. It's here:

http://www.fakeplasticfish.com/thelist

Kudos for all your efforts!
Beth

[Almost Mrs Average]

This is fab advice. Over in the UK I am trying to slim my bin for a local Zero Waste campaign. I will be checking in regularly for more top tips.

[Almost Mrs Average]

This is fab advice. Over in the UK I am trying to slim my bin for a local Zero Waste campaign. I will be checking in regularly for more top tips.

[jade]

I look forward to the next two installments.

Over the years, we have gotten down to taking our 32 gallon trash can to the dump once a month (or sometimes less frequently). I'd like to see us cut it back even further.

We have cats, and the obligatory cat litter box . . . I wonder if there are any safe composting techniques for pet wastes? That would probably halve our monthly waste production.

[Diane]

Another one I've found very useful is to stop buying tinfoil for baking. Use baking sheets or other containers rather than dirty tin foil which is harder to recycle.

I agree about having a reusable bag and carry one in my everyday bag for when I need to carry more home!
I don't use plastic bags as bing liners any more - and have been encouraging my friends to do the same!