Chloe Zhang
Plastic bags are a common way to dispose of trash, but they are not the only option. With plastic being made from oil, usually petroleum, it is important to reduce our plastic consumption. Composting is a great way to divert food waste from trash cans, and can be done in your backyard or through a community composting program. Paper bags can be used for dry trash, and liquids should be disposed of down the sink. Reusing plastic bags and reducing waste are also important steps to throwing trash without plastic.
How to throw trash without plastic
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Separate dry and wet trash | Liquids should go down the sink, not in the trash |
| Compost food waste | Fruit and vegetable scraps, peels, pits, tea leaves, and coffee grounds can be composted |
| Use paper bags for dry trash | Paper bags can be used for dry trash, but may not be suitable for all recycling pickup services |
| Reuse plastic bags | Reuse plastic bags for as long as possible and only dispose of them when necessary |
| Reduce, reuse, recycle | Limit waste by reducing consumption, reusing items, and recycling as much as possible |
| Crush or cut trash cans into small pieces | Large items like trash cans can be cut into small pieces with tools like sheet rock knives or jigsaws |
| Compost pet waste | Pet waste, such as dog poop and cat litter, can be composted |
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What You'll Learn
Composting food waste
Composting is a great way to recycle food waste instead of throwing it in the trash. It is nature's way of recycling and is one of the most powerful actions we can take to reduce our trash, address climate change, and build healthy soil. By turning our food scraps into compost, we transform our waste streams into a beneficial, value-added soil amendment and use it to protect the environment and create resilient communities.
Composting can be done both indoors and outdoors and can be as complicated or as simple as you like. If you have outdoor space, your compost bin doesn't have to be complicated. You can use an old trash bin, an old wooden chest, or buy a bin online. You can also just create a compost pile. However, do not put it up against a wall as it could stain it.
If you don't have outdoor space, vermicomposting (worm composting) is an option. A typical home system needs about a pound of worms, with red wigglers being the best type of worms to use. Worms thrive in temperatures ranging from 55 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, so keeping your worm bin indoors is ideal.
When it comes to what food waste you can compost, fruits and vegetables are a great place to start. In addition, items like tea bags, coffee grounds, eggshells, old flowers, and even human hair can be composted. However, it is important to avoid composting meat, dairy products, and bones, as these can attract rodents and other pests. Oily and buttery foods should also be avoided as they can create odor problems.
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Using paper bags for dry trash
While plastic bags are terrible for the environment, paper bags are not necessarily a perfect alternative. Paper bags are recycled at a higher rate than plastic bags, but they are also bigger, so they take up more space in landfills. Additionally, the recycling process for paper bags involves huge machines and intensive energy use, which rely on fossil fuels, and adds a large number of chemicals to the world's air and water.
However, if you are looking to dispose of your trash without using plastic bags, paper bags can be a good option for dry trash. If you are throwing away mostly dry stuff, using paper bags for your trash can be a good solution. You can also use the sink drain for wet trash.
Some people choose to reuse plastic bags they already have for their wet trash and use paper bags for all dry trash. This can be a good way to reduce your plastic waste while still making use of the plastic bags you may already have lying around.
If you are looking to reduce your waste overall, it is important to keep in mind the "reduce, reuse, recycle" mantra. This means limiting the amount of waste you dispose of by reducing what you buy and considering second-hand options. You can also separate out some waste streams for recycling and composting.
Paper bags can be a good option for recycling certain items. Some recycling pickup services will only take items in paper bags. You can also use paper bags for composting certain types of food waste. However, it is important to note that paper bags cannot be used for liquids, as they will leak.
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Reusing plastic bags
Plastic bags can be reused in a variety of ways. One of the most common ways is to reuse them for shopping or grocery trips. They can be used to line wastebaskets or as trash liners, and even for picking up after pets. Plastic bags can also be reused for arts and crafts, such as making a wreath, pom-poms, or decorations for Halloween. They can also be used to store small items like toys, jewellery, or toiletries when travelling.
If you want to reuse plastic bags for storing food, it is important to ensure they are properly cleaned and dried between uses. Ziploc advises that its disposable plastic storage bags are safe to clean and reuse several times, as long as they are thoroughly washed and dried. However, it is important to note that bags used for raw meat, fish, eggs, or allergy-triggering foods should not be reused. Bags that are damaged or hard to clean should also be discarded.
While reusing plastic bags is a good way to extend their life, it is also important to consider reducing the use of disposable bags and switching to reusable options. Reusable bags or containers can be used when shopping, and products like reusable silicone bags can be washed and reused multiple times, reducing the need for plastic bags altogether.
When plastic bags can no longer be reused, they can often be recycled at stores or other drop-off sites, as long as they are clean, dry, and free of any residues or contaminants. Recycling plastic bags helps to reduce the amount of plastic waste sent to landfills and contributes to the creation of new products.
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Reducing waste
Composting
Composting is a great way to divert food waste from landfills. By collecting organic materials such as fruit and vegetable scraps, tea leaves, and coffee grounds, you can create nutrient-rich compost that can be used in gardens. Composting not only reduces the volume of trash but also improves soil health and reduces the need for chemical fertilisers. If you have a backyard, you can set up a compost bin. For those living in apartments, convincing your landlord to install an outdoor compost bin can be beneficial, as it reduces waste and saves money on waste pickup costs.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
The three Rs – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle – form the foundation of sustainable waste management. Reducing the amount of waste you produce is the most effective way to minimise your environmental impact. This can be achieved by limiting unnecessary purchases and opting for second-hand items whenever possible. Reusing items, such as sturdy plastic storage containers, is also preferable to single-use plastic alternatives. Additionally, separating recyclable materials and properly disposing of them can further reduce your environmental footprint.
Alternative Bag Options
Instead of using plastic bags for trash disposal, there are more sustainable alternatives. Paper bags can be used, especially for dry trash. Newspaper can also be utilised to create small bin liners or to line compost bins. Compostable 'plastics' that are not actually plastic but serve a similar function can be considered.
Managing Liquids
Liquids, especially water-based ones, can be a challenge when trying to avoid plastic. It is recommended to dispose of liquids down the sink whenever possible, as they can contaminate other waste and cause issues during incineration. Separating wet and dry waste can also help manage liquids effectively, reducing the need for plastic bags.
Community Initiatives
Waste reduction can be more effective when approached at a community level. Advocating for separate waste streams in your city or town can significantly reduce overall waste. Additionally, some communities offer curbside green bin programs, making composting more accessible for apartment dwellers. Supporting and participating in such initiatives can greatly contribute to waste reduction on a larger scale.
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Recycling
Firstly, separate your waste into distinct categories. Dry waste and wet waste are the primary divisions. Dry waste includes items like paper, plastic, metal, and glass. Wet waste typically includes food scraps and organic materials. Some municipalities may also offer specialised recycling streams, such as e-waste or green waste collections, so check with your local council.
For dry waste, use paper bags or bins to collect and store the materials. Paper bags are recyclable and can be used for items like plastic containers, bottles, and paper products. You can also reuse any paper bags you acquire during shopping or deliveries. Remember to crush or flatten large items, like plastic bottles, to save space.
Wet waste, particularly food scraps, can be diverted from landfills by composting. Composting breaks down organic materials into nutrient-rich soil that can be used in gardens. Start a compost bin in your backyard or, if you live in an apartment, advocate for a communal compost bin. You can compost fruit and vegetable scraps, peels, and pits, as well as grains, breads, pasta, tea leaves, and coffee grounds. Avoid oily foods, meat, dairy, and large amounts of sauce or oil, as these can attract pests and create unpleasant odours.
To manage the remaining dry waste that doesn't fit into your paper bags, consider reusing sturdy plastic containers. These can last for years and are more likely to be recycled than plastic bags. Alternatively, look into compostable 'plastic' bags, which are not made from traditional petroleum-based plastics.
Remember, the most effective way to reduce your environmental impact is to follow the "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" mantra. Limit your consumption, especially single-use plastics, and opt for second-hand items when possible. By combining these practices with responsible recycling, you can significantly decrease your waste output and contribute to a greener planet.
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Frequently asked questions
You can compost wet waste, such as food scraps, and divert it from your trash can. You can also use paper bags for dry waste. If you live in an apartment building, you can convince your landlord to set up an outdoor compost bin.
You can use paper bags or compostable 'plastics' that are not made of plastic. You can also reuse plastic storage containers instead of constantly buying plastic trash bags.
You can compost fruit and vegetable peels, scraps, pits, and cores. Tea leaves and coffee grounds can also be composted or used as fertiliser for your plants. To prevent your compost from becoming soggy, add brown materials such as dried leaves, organic hay, pine needles, or newspaper to create air pockets.
