The first week of the Ecomom One Can a Month challenge has passed and so far team Green Me is doing great! We had an exceptionally full recycling can to put out on Monday, but that was mostly due to June “events.” Our city only picks up recycling on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, and on week 3 the truck came by early, before we’d had time to put the can out. And since June ended on a Monday, we ended up having 5 full weeks to fill our recycling can. Frankly, the only reason it wasn’t overflowing, is that our paperboard and some plastics have to be taken to the recycling center and are not (yet) picked-up with our curbside recycling.

The two events that I was afraid might disrupt this challenge have somewhat passed without very much waste (so far). My son turned one yesterday and he has received a few packages by mail, but with out excess packaging, so the boxes are recyclable. Mr. Green Me’s Birthday is today, and he has also received a few well packaged (as in minimally packaged) gifts. He received a pair of organic khaki shorts in the mail from Patagonia, which came in a cardboard box and a very beautiful reusable gift bag.

The shirt was still in a plastic bag, but the plastic was #4, which can be recycled with our grocery store and other plastic bags. He also received a Bodum French Press that was wrapped in a #2 recyclable bag and padding, which is also recyclable. So, although we’ve received 3 boxes of birthday gifts, basically all of the packaging can be recycled or reused, which is great news for the challenge! And, consequently most of our waste for the week has either made it into one of our various recycling cans or the compost pail (and later the outdoor compost).

Really, once we’ve taken the time to establish what can (or cannot) be recycled, and we pay attention to buying goods in containers that we know are recyclable or compostable, reducing our waste stream is not nearly as difficult as one might imagine. On the other hand, I think that in our home and across the country, one of the biggest factors in waste creation, is the little thing called “convenience.” Anytime I get lazy and go for convenience foods (prepared, fast, whatever) my home trash can suddenly gets full much more quickly. Making foods from scratch and or buying raw ingredients tends to result in more packaging that is either recyclable or compostable!

Our big test for the One Can Challenge will be the party this weekend, but hopefully we will fair well there, as we have ordered a zero waste kit from Ecocycle (compostable plates, cups and cutlery), and so far we’ve bought drinks in containers that can be recycled and or composted. I am also preparing a menu that will allow me to best prepare and serve food with minimal waste.  And, I am working on making some recycled decorations. I will do a full run down on the successes and failures of our zero waste Birthday party attempt next week!

All in all, I think we’re on the right track! Even the cat approves…