How do you produce less trash? (And other eco-friendly tips)

[snlviewer]

With the new trend towards eco-friendliness I'm wondering what tips other New Yorkers have as to how to create less trash on a daily basis (such as reusable grocery bags). I'm constantly embarrassed by how many things I throw away on a regular basis and I find it hard to cut back with all the on-the-go eating and shopping I do in the city.

Post any tips here on how to create less trash or just general tips on being environmentally friendly in the city.

 

[Jen Keenan]

I am super-excited, I just ordered these reusable bags. Most eco-friendly bags are so u-g-l-y I can't stand them. But oy, do store clerks look at you oddly when you try to present them with a used version of their own bags. Plus, you can play ball with the flip-and-tumbles when they're not in use! (I hope)

One thing I am trying to get used to is bringing my own napkin and utensils to work. It still feels a little weird but they were selling a linen tea towel at the Crowded House show and I like it better as it's a souvenir from a good time. When I do remember, it makes me feel better.

 

[d_chadwick]

I try to avoid bottled water whenever possible. If you're having your drinking water shipped 8,000 miles from Fiji, you might as well burn a gallon of oil while you're at it.

In the summer, I try to throw a couple of bottles of water in the freezer and grab them on the way out, or refill them at work.

 

[Will Choy]

I've moved away from bottled water for similar reason and I keep reading article about plastic releasing horrible chemicals. Apparently, reuse and heating are the causes. The ones with 3, 6, and 7 on the bottom may be banned in Canada.

I've cut down on how much take-out I get, especially from places that use styrofoam.

Someone told me their are biodegradable plastic trash bags, but I haven't been able to find them anywhere.

 

[leahspig]

this thread made me finally investigate these reusable sandwich bags a friend of mine has. thanks, beth! here's the link: http://www.wrap-n-mat.com/

 

[Will Choy]

Please get the Jesus fish one.

 

[MichelleD]

Please get the Jesus fish one.

I was hoping "adult prints" would be much naughtier.

Personally, I use a reusable water bottle at work, and we use mugs rather than disposable cups. I bring lunch in Gladware, which I reuse rather than toss.

I have too many plastic bags, but keep planning to make this:

(from myrecycledbags.com)

 

[rixtyseven]

I don't use lunch bags anymore. I just stuff my food into my mouth and keep it in my cheeks till lunch time at which point I just have to chew and swallow. I can keep a whole hogie in my mouth along with some Pringles.

 

[Bent]

These reusable bags also fold into their own pouch and are extremely portable. It's $6 a bag if you order four. I have a couple in my normal bag so I don't have to end up with 8 plastic bags from the grocery store, plus it's faster for them too. Everyone wins.

http://www.reusablebags.com/store/acme-bags™-workhorse-style-1500-special-p-258.html

 

[No face]

Buy less stuff.

Seriously, it works.

I was thinking about getting the wrap-n-mat until I went to the testimonials page. Kelly green background color? I know we never signed Kyoto, but there's gotta be some kind of international protocol against that.

 

[SMARTARSE]

this thread made me finally investigate these reusable sandwich bags a friend of mine has. thanks, beth! here's the link: http://www.wrap-n-mat.com/

Bah. Who needs 'em...that's what pockets are for....

 

[shockwave]

http://www.storyofstuff.com/

 

[jomama]

I saw this on the weather channel...it's kinda amazing. They reuse everything at their warehouse, from the machines they use to the products.

http://www.terracycle.net/

 

[stillman]

terracycle is amazing

but this is an interesting service

http://deepgreenliving.com/

"Instant Greenification" package from Deep Green Living greens up your energy use, recycling and waste prevention plan, water quality and conservation, natural housecleaning, transportation and daily practices.

 

[MichelleD]

For dealing with existing stuff, try Freecycle. I've given away clothes to people who really needed them. Also a great source for props.

 

[jomama]

Look! More fun stuff!

http://www.engagegreen.com/

 

[sagy]

Not to get hugely hippie dippie (I am from Vt after all), but my building has a compost bin for our teeny ghetto garden. I keep a closed container in my fridge that I put veggie waste into (onion skins, evil mushy vegetables, coffee grounds, eggshells...basically anything not meat or bones) and then I put it into the compost once a week. It's cut down on my waste pretty substantially. If you live close to a community garden, it may be an option.

http://www.oasisnyc.net/gardens/resources.htm

Also, there are now brands of paper towels, kleenex and toilet paper that are 100% recycled paper and don't feel like sandblasting on your junk.

Again, outing myself as a big hippie, I am a member of the food co-op in Park Slope and they've got a blog on environmental issues. (The co-op is, as the Village Voice put it, the 'best example of how socialism inevitably leads to fascism' but the produce is fantastic)

http://ecokvetch.blogspot.com/

I'm off to the drum circle for some fucking artsy fartsy bullshit now