The Rubbish Diet – Week 2

Uh-oh.  I’m barely into week 2 of The Rubbish Diet and I’m already increasing my weekly generation of trash rather than decreasing it!

Last week was a busy week for me.  I wasn’t home much and thus not generating a lot of waste at home (although I was generating a lot of waste out and about).  On Sunday I finally had time to catch up on chores around the house.  Those chores included cleaning out the fridge (left overs that went bad because I didn’t eat it in time) and cleaning out the kitty litter box (I’m talking switching out the whole box, not just scooping. I do this every 6 weeks or so).   These two actions doubled my trash generation!

Mondays and Thursdays are my trash pick-up days.  Last week and the week before I only put out a few bags on Thursdays.  Yesterday I put out the kitty litter bag (about 13lbs) and the kitchen trash (about 9lbs).  Two heavy bags on a Monday!

If I were thinking ahead I would have completed these chores PRIOR to the start of The Rubbish Diet.  Instead it got me thinking about how I not only have to think about recycling more but wasting less.  Purchasing habits are part of wasting less, but lifestyle changes and matters of ‘convenience’ also play a part.  It’s time to do more…

About Amy Marpman

Director of Recycling Services at Great Forest, Inc. in NYC. Continually finding the balance of idealism with the practical realities that make or break recycling programs.
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2 Responses to The Rubbish Diet – Week 2

  1. Karin says:

    “Purchasing habits are part of wasting less, but lifestyle changes and matters of ‘convenience’ also play a part.” – Very true. Reducing your bin is a journey you have embarked on.

  2. Pingback: Typical NYC trash | Beyond the Blue Bin

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