I have noticed that with recycling and cooking with fresh foods, the amount of trash I take out weekly has significantly decreased. We’ve also switched from individual water bottles to one 5 gallon bottle that we refill at the local grocery store. I have cups with lids for portability.

I reuse plastic and aluminum containers by making earrings out of them!! They are so funky and I love that I’m cutting down on our household waste! Check them out at: artworkbykd.etsy.com

I take my lunch in a cooler with those nice plastic glad-ware containers. I also take my own spoon & fork…wash, re-use, wash, re-use…

I bring my lunch in a cute lunch tote I got from Hudson Trail, I always use tupperware containers instead of plastic baggies. I no longer use plastic grocery bags to bring my lunch in. Also I leave a knife, fork, mug, bowl,and water jug at the office so that I no longer use plastic untensils, plastic/paper cups or bottled water. There are so many ways that these simple changes have benefited me, that I can’t believe I wasn’t doing them before. I love having a real knife and fork to use at lunch that actually cuts my food and I already have saved so much money without having to keep a stock of non reusable products. Plus having my water jug at work (labeled 32oz) encourages me to keep track of how much water I am drinking each day. I aim for a gallon!

We used to fill a city-provided home dumpster to overflowing every week; when our town started its recycling project, I made sure we participated. Now, it takes us a month to fill the trash bin, but the recycling bin is filled weekly. Cans, bottles, paper, and especially cardboard boxes (nothing I can do to minimize the number of boxes…my employer has to send parts and hardware routinely) everything we can recycle, we do.

Until recently,I didn’t realize how much plastic (bottles) I go through. Now, I have a box in the garage. When I make my trek to Whole Foods, I take my box of recyclables and toss it in their bins.

Does anyone else get the willies when they see someone tossing a soda can or bottle in the trash? I’ve become so used to recycling it pains me to see things that are so easy to recycle tossed in with normal garbage.

Recycling Police at your service! I do find it interesting coming from California to Texas that other states (Texas) make it a project to find recycling options other than city services. No matter – i will still pick up items while I take walks. :-)

I always bring my own cup when buying coffee at a local shop. I recycle everything possible, when my friends have parties I make sure the recycle all the bottles and cans. I ride my bike to work and anywhere else I can within reason.

I started a little recycling “program” at work. I put a box for paper and a box for plastic in my office and let the people on my floor know they were there. I already have a load to take home!