Thrifty Thursday: Zero Waste Lifestyle Book Review

I was trying to think about a topic to talk about for this Thursday and since I just finished this book earlier in the week and I wanted to talk about some of things in it but it seemed silly since I hadn't talked about the book yet.  So here is the details on the book and then my thoughts on how being thrifty has to do with being eco conscious.  I hope that I can work both things together for a happy harmony.

The Zero-Waste Lifestyle: Live Well by Throwing Away Less by Amy Korst was something that I saw pop up on the new listing at the library so I reserved it.  When it came in, I was a little surprised at how quickly it showed up even though I was 93 (or something like that) on the list.  It came at the same time as the bill from the trash people came to let me know that our cost was going up again.  REALLY?!  We don't go through that much trash and probably wouldn't fill that dumpster if they gave us the whole month.  It seemed like such a waste but what are the other options?!  Read this book and find out!!

It encouraged me again that I really want to start a compost pile.  My husband isn't so keen on the idea because he feels that the majority of the work and upkeep will go to him.  I told him that I would take the scraps out to the pile if he helped me build it.  I am not sure if he is okay with that yet (or that he believes me).  I hope that he will go out with me and look at different solutions at the stores and see if there is something that will meet our needs or that we can build.  If we can compost the yard waste and a little bit of the food, we won't have that much left in the trash.  Then, I might be able to get rid of trash service and drop off our trash at the dump.  Especially if I find a place to recycle some of the items that can't go to the normal recycling location!!!

My favorite part was the recipe section- 'cause I like recipes!!  I copied down the English muffins, bagels and herb crackers.  I hope that I will actually make them soon.  These seems like easy enough recipes but I really like to concentrate and not worry about interruptions from a 4 year old during a recipe that I haven't made before.  I hope that I get a free day with enough energy to start trying some of these new ones.  I haven't had a good bagel in a long time!!!

Do you think that you could go without making trash?  I know that we can't but I think that we are already doing the easy to moderate sections in the chapter summaries about what the author suggests is a solution to each challenge.  In the Reduce and Reuse chapter, we have decreased the amount of paper towels that we use and now only go through a roll every 30 days.  They used to only last a few days in our house so this is a huge jump in the right direction.  We hold garage sales to get rid of unwanted items, we pack lunch with reusable containers, use reusable bags, use refillable bottle, and donate unwanted items to thrift stores.  To go to the advances stage, we have to eliminate foil, plastic wrap and plastic baggies which we haven't done and I don't see happening yet.  Bring a reusable straw to restaurants and carry home take out and leftovers in your own containers.  I think that we might be a little away from this but we don't eat out that often so I don't know if it is a huge deal.  I am going to try to bring containers for restaurant leftovers the next time we go out so that I don't have to worry about the Styrofoam containers. 

I hope that we can just be a little better at recycling and finding a location for the things (like #5 plastic) that doesn't go at the normal recycling place.  It is a great challenge and I hope that we can decrease the amount of waste that we have and increase our three or four R's (reduce, reuse, recycle, and rot).  I hope that you decide to check out this book or the author's website at www.GreenGarbageProject.com to see what things you can do to help the environment!!

Where are you in the process of reducing trash? 
Do you recycle? 
Do you reuse items or donate them to people who can reuse them? 
Have you reduced the amount that you do use?
Do you compost?  If so, can you help me convince my husband :)