Waste Update

Here is a list of typical garbage in our house:

1. food waste (that cannot be composted)- a fair bit with a toddler
2. diapers
3. meat wrapping
4. random food plastic- extra protection for salad green box, yoghurt plastic cover, little plastic bits in almond milk, bread bag plastic bits, some plastic bags to wrap stinky/ wet stuff
5. some nonrecyclable, nonreusable food bags

Here's a list of typical recycling in our house:

1. wine bottles
2. cans
3. pellegrino bottles
4. almond/ soy milk tetra packs
5. fruit/ vegetable packaging
6. toiletries and cleaning product plastics
7. random papers from the mail
8. local free newspaper
9. paper covering from shopping- such as laundry detergent boxes
10. paper scraps from random notes
11. food composting- some of which is wasted fruit/ veg (went bad)

Both lists are important because while recycling is not as bad as garbage, it is still problematic. So here are some ideas to cut back.

1. food waste (that cannot be composted)- Be very careful with food planning, eat all leftovers, look forward to city program implementation.
2. diapers- Continue to work on potty training. Hope baby #2 is not allergic to own urine.
3. meat wrapping- Cut back on meat eating, purchase from butchers that use paper, bring storage container to butchers.
4. random food plastic- extra protection for salad green box, yoghurt plastic cover, little plastic bits in almond milk, bread bag plastic bits, some plastic bags to wrap stinky/ wet stuff- Make own bread, almond milk, yoghurt, cut back on food waste.
5. some nonrecyclable, nonreusable food bags- Make bulk bags from fabric, reuse bulk bags, buy bulk more often, freeze in season berries, learn how to make gnocchi etc.
6. wine bottles- Exercise some self control.
7. cans- Learn how to use dried beans, menu planning, can own tomatoes.
8. pellegrino bottles- Get soda maker, have lemons and lime in tap water instead.
9. almond/ soy milk tetra packs- Learn how to make almond milk, try soy recipe adaptations.
10. fruit/ vegetable packaging, stickers- Buy at the farmers market, bring own containers.
11. toiletries and cleaning product plastics- Simplify what I use.
12. random papers from the mail- Get off junk mail list, get paper free bills.
13. local free newspaper- Call again to recancel.
14. paper covering from shopping- such as laundry detergent boxes- Continue to look for bulk detergent etc.
15. paper scraps from random notes- Be strict about using ipad etc and reuse backs of bills.
16. food composting- some of which is wasted fruit/ veg (went bad)- Better menu and meal planning, keep fridge organized.