Homesteading: A Woman's Journey

Recycling Update

A few weeks ago, we started on the endeavor to recycle 100% of our trash.  So far, it is going really well.  At the time we made the decision to recycle, we still had 2 weeks of trash service paid for.  We spent that time making the changes that we would need to do to prepare for the recycling.  We quickly sorted through the items that we have had in storage.  Anything that could not be recycled, Freecycled, or donated was put in the trash.  We set up our recycling bins and began putting the items in them so we could get a good idea of what we were getting ourselves into.  We also needed to prove to ourselves before our trash service ended that we would be able to recycle everything.

One of the lessons I have learned is to be very aware of the trash coming into the home.  Look at the packaging of your foods and other purchases.  What you bring in has to be packaged in something that you can recycle.  I also look at the wasteful/surplus packaging.  One example is my tofu.  The store sells 2 brands.  Both brands are good and are priced the same amount.  The difference is that one is vacuum-packaged in a plastic wrap material similar to the type used for packaging bricks of cheese.  The other brand is in a plastic tray with a plastic "lid" that you cut off.  I had been buying the one in the plastic tray, but now buy the one packaged without the tray.  If I had a need for the little trays, I would get that brand again.  For now though, I have no need of the trays and they are just more bulk going into our recycle bin.

Recycling food packaging requires a simple rinsing out of the containers.  Common sense here, but maybe some don't think about it.  If you leave the food residue in the containers, it can cause your recycle bins to stink, draw insects, and possible rodents. 

Our recycle bins are kept in the kitchen for convenience.  We are using 18 gallon sized plastic totes.  We leave the lids off so that it is convenient to just toss the items into them.  For now, we have bins for paper, plastic, tin, and glass.  Large items such as milk jugs are crushed before putting them into the bin to help save on space.   

All in all, this has been a great experience.  We've learned that there is very little that we may not be able to recycle.  The only things coming to mind are light bulbs & toothbrushes.  We are checking into it, but there is such a small amount that if the recycling center doesn't take them we can toss the small baggie into their dumpster

Untitled Comment

10:53, Tuesday, July 15, 2008 .. Posted by gabbie427

Great post on recycling. We used to live in a town that recycled not by choice either and it was great. The town we are in now, doesn't not recycle, so even if we did at the time, we would have to drive it 30 miles away to have it recycled! Sad that all towns now a days are not recycling, isn't it??

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo

Recycling

10:59, Tuesday, July 15, 2008 .. Posted by oklamouse

Yes it is sad that more communities don't at least offer recycling. We will have to drive about 37 miles to the closest facility that takes all the recycled items we are sorting out. There are facilities closer but are limited to residents of the community only.

BTW, I have been wanting to add you on to my friends list but am unable to get to your profile page to do it.

Edited by oklamouse on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 11:01