photo by P. Banga
You don’t have to be living in Toronto or Windsor, it could happen to you anywhere and any time. What do you do when your garbage pick-up just stops?
City workers have gone on strike in Toronto and while the cause is intriguing (a sick-pay issue), I’m much more interested in the consequences of a halt to municipal waste collection. That includes curbside household garbage, recycling, and compost and public area garbage and recycling.
SO, what’s a citizen to do? Place your garbage beside an overflowing bin (litter)? Panic and dump garbage in a park? Believe it or not people are acting out in all these ways, so much so that the City’s Mayor, David Miller, issued a stern public announcement that there would be huge fines for dumping garbage…on Day 2 of the strike!
The good news is the strike is a perfect opportunity to put 10 simple green actions into action:
1. Think about everything you are throwing out – can you hang on to it a little longer? Can you give it away? Drop it off at a thrift store? (I’m talking about clothing and mattresses, not rotting bags of food).
2. Squash your take-out food consumption by packing a waste-free lunch with reusable containers and lunch bag.
3. Bring a reusable mug or water bottle for drinks on the go. Your water bottle can also hold cold drinks like smoothies and slushies that you purchase from a vendor.
4. Buy and cook fresh food rather than packaged food.
5. Make sure you rinse all your food packaging before putting it in the recycling bin or garbage bag to cut odour.
6. Make sure you flatten or break down recyclables or garbage before you throw it away to save space.
7. Throw away less organic waste by wasting less food. Buy only what you need for short periods of time and freeze leftovers.
8. Store your garbage in your backyard shed/garage/or basement – whatever is safest for your situation. Keep pests, creatures (and odors) away by adding generous amounts of baking soda into the bag.
9. Use natural air fresheners to mitigate super strong odours. I bought a great natural citrus spray from the supermarket a year ago for $9. I spray it at least once a day and I have lots more to go!
10. Acquire a backyard composter or ask your property manager to install one or more for your building. That way you don’t have to rely on municipal pick up at all for 1/2 of your household waste!
These are just some ideas to turn a trashy situation into a simple green success. Do you have any of your own?
Make a difference − share this environmental tip with your friends.
Tina says:
3 July 2009 at 17 h 27 minI live in Beautiful British Columbia and we recycle and compost.
Debbie Wilson says:
3 August 2009 at 17 h 29 minWhen I see a child or adult needlesly throwning trash away,such as littering with candy bar wrappers,I politely remind them that this beautful country belongs to all who live here,and we must do our share to keep it clean. Most people would not consider throwing trash on their living room floor!! I am unable to walk very far,but when I am out and I see someone throwing trash,whenever I can I will pick it up with the aid of my cane.