Save money and use less trash bags. I try to flatten boxes that cereal, cake mix, crackers, etc. come in. This way I can get more trash in the trash bag before it needs replaced. Small cans can fit inside larger ones to also reduce the space needed. Even plastic gallon jugs can be reduced in size just by taking the lid off and flattening it. The less trash bags you use, the less trips to take it outside too.
By Diane from Paradise, PA
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I recycle pretty much every item that you listed as trash. Cans, cardboard and plastic jugs are accepted curbside in my area. This is how I save on trash bags. Maybe you can do the same and save room in the landfill as well as in your garbage can.
I also recycle most of what you mentioned as trash. If you don't have recycling in your area, you need to find out why and request it...now!
You can do much better than you are doing. Nest all this stuff in a recycle bin and help all of us, not just yourself with trash bags.
Better yet, save the land and recycle! I save a cereal box or two here and there and use them as mini paper recycling boxes (for small slips of paper and such), then throw the whole thing into the recycling bin. I save the cans to redeem, the rest (we can even recycle plastic grocery bags and tinfoil) go into the recyling bin, food into the food reycling bin, we usually have (at the most) two garbage bags at the end of the week.
I just wish to clarify my tip that has been posted here. I live in a rural area that not only has little population but also many of the familes here are Amish and we do not have a recycling system. However, I do recycle as much as I can before tossing anything in the trash. I use frozen vegetables as opposed to canned to help too.
After removing the paper I remove both ends of the cans and smash them flat,they take up much less room. Donna
My resolution this year is to do better at recycling. I purchased the tote bags at my local grocery store for $1.00 (bought 6) to carry back and forth to the store. So when asked "Paper or Plastic" I reply with "Neither." It's worked out great and actually I could have used old tote bags I found around my house but I threw those in my daughter's car so when she needs to stop at the store for me, she has her own bags already in her car.
And if you use a wood stove for heat (like I did for MANY years) have 2 garbage's... We called them "Garbage" & "Burn Garbage"... One for garbage & the other (a box) for paper goods... There's NOTHING like a cardboard box or a wax-covered milk carton to help start a fire on a cold winter morning! ... And if you're going to heat the house with it... Why have it end up in a land fill...
* My daughter flattens all her boxes & used to drive them to the recycle center. I used to wonder if it was worth it, when she used to burn up gas to get there... But now the recyclers come to her apartment complex & pick up the paper goods. Now THEY are using THEIR gas to do it... But, we've had a big debate in our local area: Is it worth using all that gas to get back less money for paper recycling??? Hmmm, I really don't know? I'd rather use it to heat my home!
(Submitted via Email)
Hi! I do the same thing and it does save me $ on bags; and I hide my boxes of frozen dinners in my rice box, so my neighbors don't see how many frozen diners I actually eat. They are hidden in bigger boxes in my recycling box when it sits on the curb. Ha! That'll be our little secret!
Have a grrreat day!
Sandi
I used to live in a small town at least 20 miles from the nearest recycling center, and I still recycled. Any time I went into the "big city" to do shopping that was my first stop. There is simply no excuse for not recycling. I have a lippy 13 year old boy who still looks at each piece of trash and questions it...can this be recycled. Check out www.storyofstuff.com/
google : origami box with lid
If you need a visual of this tutorial then click videos at the top. There are some there I just saw them! You will soon have all sorts of stacking storage for small items, little toys, office, bathroom, bedroom vanity, other drawers, small gift boxes, & so on!
Try one labeled for each household member in the laundry room for things left in pockets! I have been making these awhile & after you get the way to do it in your mind it's fun to show to other people! I can even make them out of old greeting cards! I don't give many gifts, but I can gift people with a nice way to do things such as this & if they learn it it is something that could last forever & be able to pass it on!
The largest box I have used to do this was a frozen pizza box. Just keep in mind that the top needs to be somewhat bigger than the bottom so it will fit over the bottom one. I use the side of the scissor handles to crease but you might have what I think is called a herringbone (used in paper crafts). I crease it 2 times for a really crisp fold,front & back. You will find this helps a lot.
Depending on the product box or card I want to use I turn the plain side out or use the printed side, but if you plan to decorate it the plain side toward the outside might work best. Sometimes the paper or box is a little slippery & a small piece of tape (or use glue) on the bottom of the inside of either top,or bottom helps hold it.
A friend of mine recently made her little box about the size of a DIME.It was very cute! Then the box was topped with a small deco-punch flower that matched & stitched into place to secure it to the top! I have all this in my mind now,after making several of them so I can easily demo them for someone!
P.S. My hands are always tired after I make little boxes even with the use of the scissor handles to crease. These could easily be used in countertop composting if you line them & tie a loose knot in the bag you use.I think either a meat bag or fruit bag from the grocer would do nicely.
I think a nice little tower of them would be great! Largest at the very bottom then smaller then smaller & so on all the way up. My cabinets could be more organized with these if I could get the right size of box made (but my big frozen pizza box only made about a 4x4 inch or so box - less than the size of a regular sandwich). Small items like cocoa mix or condiments I save from take-out or drive through,seasoning packs & so on. All I would need then are labels!
To store these until you have time to make boxes cut out the sides & top & bottom so you have only the front & back.Put them in an out of the way place.
I forgot where it was (maybe here @ TF) but one man had his trash so that it all fit inside of a gallon milk jug. He probably had to make a slit somewhere to do that, but good job!
Also if you visit YouTube, couple weeks ago I was watching a video by a woman who Vlogged (video blogged) about her recycling & she has a lot of the crinkely kind of plastic (not soft like a bread bag & not like a shopping bag - more like a candy bag) so she snipped hers into thin strips & made box filler out of it.Could also use for gift baskets.
I like making plarn (plastic yarn) & crocheting mine ! Recently I began crocheting can cozies! I use all types of plastic to do this & you can find the HOW-TO make plarn also on youtube! I like the one that shows how to make one continuous strip instead of looping loops together or tying ends.
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