Put it where?

We've started a small experiment at our house.

A little background info first. In our family, we're conscious of reusing what we can, recycling, composting and not buying things with crazy amounts of packaging (or things we don't need). I was thinking one day - as the trash truck drove away — how easy it is to throw things in the trash, set the trash can out on pick-up day, and watch that magic truck gobble up the trash and make it disappear.

OK, so it doesn't disappear. We all know that. I think. But isn't it easier to throw things away when you don't have to deal with the end product? Where is "away" anyway as my good friend's bumper sticker asks.

Back to our little experiment. Instead of saying throw it "away" or "in the trash," in our family we've started saying "put it in the landfill." Try it. If you've ever seen a landfill in the middle of an otherwise beautiful landscape — or even if you haven't — I bet you'll stop and re-think your decision. Sometimes I'll forget and say "trash bin" and my son will ask "you mean put it in the landfill?" It stops me in my tracks every time. First because an image of an overflowing landfill enters my mind, but the simple question/statement also forces me to make a conscious decision for an otherwise mindless task.

I do understand that humans are going to create trash, that we need some landfills and that we can't re-use or re-purpose everything. I get it. I also know that I, and most people, can do a much better job of buying only what we need, creating less waste, re-using items and just being aware of our impact on this planet.

I know my Mom's generation and especially her parents' did this without question to conserve resources and to spend less money. Somewhere along the line our society starting over-consuming, overeating, over-doing about everything. Let's, together, reverse that trend. Try this small experiment and remember to put it in the landfill (but not really!)


Action Item: Try to reduce the size of your weekly trash collection. Try my experiment or create your own method. Just cut back a little each week. See if you can produce less trash (and recycling) week to week. I'm still working. I slip up and get lazy at times, but still pushing forward.

Your ideas?: How do you cut back on your waste? Buy less? Re-use, re-purpose, donate?

For Further Reading: How Much Trash Does America Produce?, Environment: Waste Production Must Peak this Century and Trim Your Waste.