Our local transfer station is now going to charge for disposals.
If this isn’t motivation to reduce waste …………
Buy bulk. This doesn’t mean you have to buy large quantities … you can buy from the ‘bins’ AND bring your own container when you do that. You can use wide-mouth/foodgrade containers (such as organic coconut oil containers). If that is too big, use the smaller organic peanutbutter containers. I have several twist-ties that have the ‘code’ already written on them, so I take those each time since I am re-purchasing the same item (like Flame Raisins!). Tuck the twist in the jar lid so it hangs out, and voila…. no waste, no plastic bags used, no extra twisties.
And then I pack my groceries into my recycled, organically washed feedbags-now-shopping bags. And I get credit for that. They can also be easily rinsed out.
Use your large juice jars (my husband loves cranapple juice) to make ice containers. Rather than buying bags of ice (think: plastic wrapped!!!), use these RE-USABLE containers as your ice.
Compost your tissue and coffee filters and other kitchen goodies (not meat or oils). We have 4 containers under our sink: compost paper, compost scraps, dry garbage, wet garbage.
Use FEED BAGS as your garbage container (reducing the black and white plastic garbage bags). From a sheep farmer, we get the thin weave feed bags that are great for dry goods (and not great for sewing into grocery bags). Other hardy feed bags might be too stained, so those become garbage bags.
Buy meat (of you aren’t a vegetarian like me) from a local rancher, which reduces the stryro-junk that holds the store-bought meat.
Use wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets (make your own by getting wool from a local rancher or buy from Etsy.com). I am lucky to live next door to Bruce Finch, who is a great artist with his pottery, and they raise sheep. I have felted my own wool balls. When they are done (months later), they will go into the compost.
There are a THOUSAND ways to kneel and kiss the Earth …. get creative and do your part.
Become the solution <3