I do not know when I started to think of what "Garbage Footprint" means. Husband started being mindful of what I throw in the garbage. I throw a shampoo plastic container, a shoebox or an empty cereal box and find them resurrected in a paperbag stashed in one corner of our kitchen. Husband taught me how to look for the recyclable symbol before I throw them in the garbage. This determines if I get to throw it in the garbage can or in his paperbag. Not much thought process went into it even though I read that the recyclable symbol has dozens of variations - and each has a different meaning.
Very recently, I learned that as homeowners, we have the option to request a smaller garbage bin and save $4 per month in our utilities bill. We have 3 bins. One is for garbage, another is for recyclables and the third is for garden waste. We do not have the option to refuse any of the three. Oh -- we actually do, but the State will still bill us for collection ... so WTF?
So I requested for a smaller garbage bin. I also requested for smaller recyclables and garden waste bins and I was told that I can do that too but they will not reward me with a deduction in my utilities bill. Whoa! That made me think ... hmmmm. I began to be appreciative of why the State will give me a reduction in my monthly bill by requesting a smaller garbage bin. They perceived me as throwing less garbage. And by throwing less garbage, I am minimizing my garbage footprint. Then by minimizing my garbage footprint, I am saving the planet!!! On the other hand, they are not rewarding me for using smaller bins for recyclables and garden waste and that makes sense!
Wow. I can imagine kids knowing this because of the emphasis that the schools are givng on planet awareness now. I do not think we were educated like that during our time. Or maybe we were ... but it was not as BIG as it is today.
Now I look for the recycle symbol before I even buy things. If I do not find it, I look for an alternative which might have it. How is that for progress! I am now looking forward to the day when I will have more stuff in the recycle bin than in the garbage. I may have jumped in sooo late in this bandwagon but I have always been a late bloomer anyway so I am celebrating it :)
So, to reward myself for being earth-friendly, I bought a sparkling new garbage can for the kitchen. Look at my fingerprint-free brushed stainless steel garbage can. Haha! I look at it standing tall in my kitchen and I am almost hesitant to throw garbage in it. I will not say how much this costs as I might slap myself unconscious!
