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Living off-grid usually means that there is no trash pickup day. No Problem. Here is what I do in order to limit my trash to one small carryout bag per month.
- Compost! Not even the most rotten food should be trashed. Composting, besides its many obvious benefits, also eliminates a huge percentage of what would otherwise fill up a household’s trash bag. Sealing organic material in plastic kills renewable resources and puts an end to their eternal life.
- ALWAYS carry reusable food and drink containers, as well as reusable bags. ALWAYS! Good quality reusables will last years and years, eliminating packaging that would otherwise steal valuable real estate in your trash bag. I recommend finding a store that will let you buy in bulk using your own containers. It takes a time or two to get the system down, but after that, there will be no going back.
- Be militant about stopping junk mail. Besides writing to the main offenders, call each company's toll free order number to opt out. The nicer you are when you do this, the more chance that they will actually do as you ask.
Further Reading:
Composting Basics: Compost Without a Yard
How to Mark Snail Mail as SPAM
San Francisco Bans Styrofoam for To-Go Containers
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