Making Changes - Trash and Footprint Reduction

As many of you know we are recyclers and we're pretty good at it but, I've been thinking a lot about all that we do recycle and what is still left that we can't. I think about all of the waste leftover, and how do we reduce the imprint left behind. How can we use less?

We will no longer be using paper plates, plastic cups, or plastic silverware. We will use up what we do have but no more will be purchased. I have plate service at home for 19! 19! Plus another 8 for everyday!

At work, I have plates, coffee cups, and utensils and I will use them rather than the paper and plastic provided. I need a small bottle of dish soap for my desk.

I have and will make sure I use my canvas shopping bags rather than the plastic ones offered form the store. In some cases, I will even refuse the bag.

I will also limit the number of plastic take out containers we use. I have read about a woman who brings her own Tupperware rather than use a Styrofoam container. I'm going to try to to reach that level.

We will continue working with Jacob to go #2 on the potty to cut our diaper use by half.

I haven't found a good solution for food wastes yet though. We don't have a garbage disposal or a dog.

I will not go without paper towel but, I will try to use a regular towel when I can.

We do use a lot of flavored water, and I know that is a huge sin in the land of the 'no wasters' and we will work towards eliminating that luxury.

I will also be more mindful of what I print from my computer but, my question is, if I save it for Jacob to draw on, will the wax from the crayon nix it's recycle-ability?

We will also reduce our water usage. I'll do larger loads of laundry, less often. We'll use less water for Jacob's bath. I'll shut the water off while brushing my teeth. I won't let the water run as long for a drink. I'll use less dishwater (we don't have a dishwasher) and shorten showers (though I'm not a long shower taker).

As always, we'll turn our heat down this winter and Jacob has been policing the light switches, making sure we turn them off when leaving a room. I'll use more candles where I can and where it's safe to use them.

I will make a more conscious effort to purchase foods with less packaging or recyclable packaging.

We will spend more time outside and less time in front of the television. We will read more books and play more games.

We will eat at home more and do less takeout.

We will buy more used (when we're buying again). I will continue to Freecycle and or donate my used and unneeded items.

Again, some of these things do cross over into the 365 thing. I'm sure they'll be repeated when I finally get to that post. I'm moving up my deadline to September 1.

As I said in the last post, if you have any ideas about reducing, re-purposing or recycling, I'm open to suggestions - as long as you don't mention that whole flavored water thing.