4/18/2023 0 Comments Main street powermail![]() ![]() Simply setting out materials for recycling is not the answer. Zero Waste looks at other means of eliminating waste and puts recycling low on the list. Paul Palmer first coined the term “Zero Waste” in the mid-70s, but the term was not widely used until 2000. Bea Johnson of Zero Waste Home is often credited with bringing Zero Waste to the home consumer with the 5 R’s of Zero Waste: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot. Refuse to accept or bring in materials that create waste, things that you do not need. Don’t purchase items in non-recyclable or non-compostable packaging, or single-use items such as plastic utensils or paper cups. Note, a lot of “compostable” utensils cannot be composted by most waste management companies as they require special processes and are simply put in the dump.ĭownsize, limit yourself to the things you really do need. Limit length of showers run full laundry loads instead of multiple smaller ones walk instead of drive borrow books from the library or read books and newspapers online or on a personal device. ![]() ![]() CANDY THOMPSON AT MAINSTREET POWERMAIL FULL Use mesh bags or your own containers to buy produce or items from bulk bins. Select things that can be reused over and over for the same or a different purpose. Employ reusable containers for food storage and serving carry reusable beverage containers and utensils use cloth napkins and towels instead of paper repurpose used or worn out items have furniture reupholstered instead of replaced.Ĭhoose recycled products buy items from a secondhand store, thrift store, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace instead of buying new–and sell or donate your things rather than throwing them out. Use rechargeable batteries.Ĭompost! Build a compost bin or worm bin to create compost for your garden and landscaping or use your community yard debris/food waste pickup. Being vegan means ALL of our food waste is compostable and should never go into the garbage. ![]() Compost paper napkins and towels (until you replace with cloth), bamboo toothbrushes (except the bristles, which need to be pulled out and put in the garbage), walnut dish scrubbies, loofah sponges, floor sweepings, vacuum bag dust, and even hair from your hairbrush. You’ll often see even more R’s in regards to Zero Waste: repurpose, repair, return, refill, rethink, replace, rehome, replant, respect, recover, restore, etc. Think about how you can incorporate these R’s into your life. The key is to take small steps-you won’t make this change overnight. We’re all going to start out with heaps of non-Zero Waste things. The key is to transition to better options as we use those up. Little changes can make a big difference, and many little changes make a big change. The journey to Zero Waste is challenging, rewarding, and humbling. I may not ever get to absolute Zero Waste, but I’m sure working to reduce it to the tiniest amount possible, and that’s awesome. We have areas we struggle with and are working on how to accommodate the change, but we’ve found it satisfying, fun, and it even saves us money! Have fun and have more money?!? Sign me up!Ĭindy Thompson is a Main Street Vegan Academy Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Educator an American Council on Exercise certified Health Coach, Peer Fitness Trainer, and Fitness Nutrition Specialist and Soil and Water Steward for Tilth Alliance in Seattle, WA.
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