The Softness of Things
Week 5, Trash Log

20071011 paper bag, Styrofoam container, food scraps
20071010 bento box, fabric cuttings, granola wrapper, paper bag
20071009 2 paper bag, 1 plastic container, food scraps
20071008 5 olives, 3 plastic wrappers
20071007 2 paper bags, 2 plastic containers, wire wrapper, food scraps
20071006 1 trash bag, 2 plastic containers, 1 paper plate, 2 cups, 2 wrappers
20071005 1 Tea Bag
20071005 1 sheet of aluminum foil, 1 paper towel
20071005 Mexican dinner container (aluminum and plastic)
20071005 food scraps from cooking

At first I was afraid recording my trash footprint for a week would
reveal my bin busting secrets. It turns out, however, that I shed a lot
less than I expected. Actually, most of my trash comes from two
categories.

I cook at home half or more during the week. Food scraps mean the
discarded skin of a vegetable, the vine of grapes, or coffee grinds.
It made me think, "gee, now I really need to try composting like Despina
suggested in Softness". When I mentioned the worms to my roommate, he
seemed less enthusiastic, but I am still interesting in making it
happen.

The other source of trash evil in my life were containers. Plastic bags,
paper bags, cartons for food, wrappers for food, EVERYTHING IS WRAPPED!
I digress to say, there is much less wrapping here than in Tokyo. If I
could eliminate all this WRAP and compost, I am convinced I could
decrease my trash output by 90%. The only real solution I can think of
is taking my own container to places where they make the food in a
personal environment and I could ask them to use my container instead of
theirs. It might be interesting to compile a list of places which are
willing to do this, although I wonder about the health issues.

I didn't mention toilet paper, which I do expend, although not much as I
use water when possible. I also didn't happen to receive any orders or
mail this week, which can be a lot of trash. Electronic shipments are
horrible: the box, another box, packing, more wrapping, manuals... not
to mention the waste involved in production and transportation!

Food, er, stuff for thought!

-- Thu, 11 Oct 2007 11:46 -0400

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