Show Thanks With Less Waste

I realized after creating the title to this post, that it could be written two ways: 'Waste' versus 'Waist'...LOL !! Since, this is my environmental focused blog, I do believe I'll stick with the 'household waste' issues for now ;-)

According to the folks at RecycleWorks.org, household waste increases by more than 25% from Thanksgiving to New Years Day. There is added food waste, shopping bags, packaging, wrapping paper, etc.

Not only can you make easy choices to be less wasteful this Thanksgiving, they may even cost less than your usual holiday habits. Here's a few suggestions to think about:

Shopping
Don't forget to take those reusable bags. Not only are they better than using plastic and paper, but they're much stronger and hold a lot more.

Setting The Table
I know! I know! Paper & plastic products are sooo much easier to use with all the folks coming over for dinner. But, think of the money you'll save if you use your existing plates & silverware and run them in the dishwasher at the end of the meal?

Decorating
Don't go out and buy more "stuff". Look around the house and garage. I'm SURE there are several cool things already in your treasures, that would make great decos, with some slight modifications.

Recycle
Put the food scraps in your newly created composter. And ask your guests to sort out the paper, plastic items into your new recycling area.

By the way, that 'new recycling area' doesn't have to be anything fancy. I use old garage bins and cardboard boxes to service my family's recycling needs. Don't go crazy, just be a little more savvy.

The saying, "Waste not. Want not.", couldn't be more applicable here. Remember, baby steps is okay!

Have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving!

Raising The Bar In San Francisco

I'm so proud of San Francisco and Mayor Gavin Newsom. I'm literally busting at the seams!

San Francisco already has made huge strides in recycling, but now, they have raised the bar by signing into law, mandatory composting in my favorite City. Seventy-two percent diversion from the landfills wasn't enough for Mayor Newsom and his colleagues, and so now it's the law!

In an article in the Huffington Post, the progressive Mayor outlines the chronology of San Francisco's war for reduction in their landfills and repurposing much of the byproducts of waste.

Please watch inspiring video that explains San Francisco's ambitious journey to create a model for environmental stewardship in every city on this planet.

Turning Your Trash In Treasure

Yes, I'm still on the composting kick !! But, I came across this really cool video, it's only 5 minutes long. I found the video on The Green Guide's website, and wanted to pass it along.

Using Compost

What an easy thing to do, compared to the benefits to humans and the planet !

Compost has the unique ability to improve the properties of soils and growing media physically (structurally), chemically (nutritionally) and biologically. Although many equate the benefit of compost use to lush green growth, caused by the plant-available nitrogen, the real benefits of using compost are long-term and related to its content of living-organic matter.

Please read the entire article at Earth 911's website. Also, more great information on the EPA's website.

Let's not waste our waste ;-)