Living & Working in Great Places
Becoming Waste Free
Eliminating waste is always preferable to recycling or reuse. The “green equation” priorities our environmental actions: REDUCE, then reuse, and recycle.
When coming to work in one of the parks or other areas, be sure to bring reusable waterbottles and bags. Bring a handtowel for your pack so you can minimize paper towel use. And invest in portable, durable cutlery so that you minimize using plastic forks at fast food locations (my favorite are Snowpeak’s titanium chopsticks—I use them backpacking as well).
Share some of your tips for progressing toward a waste free existence, whether at home or on the job. Although in some locations the isolation and rural communities make it tough to go garbage free, a little creativity goes a long way.
When coming to work in one of the parks or other areas, be sure to bring reusable waterbottles and bags. Bring a handtowel for your pack so you can minimize paper towel use. And invest in portable, durable cutlery so that you minimize using plastic forks at fast food locations (my favorite are Snowpeak’s titanium chopsticks—I use them backpacking as well).
Share some of your tips for progressing toward a waste free existence, whether at home or on the job. Although in some locations the isolation and rural communities make it tough to go garbage free, a little creativity goes a long way.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by CISCO on -
Great topic Beth!
I can't speak from experience as far as working for parks but at home I often find myself
re-evaluating ways I can reduce my footprint.
Lately I've been focusing on Reusing paper, like using the back sides of junk mail, letters or computer print jobs for lists and scrap paper and such. Of course it will then be Recycled :)
Buying food in bulk (bins with scoops) is a great way to cut down on waste. It cuts out all excessive packaging and will save you lots of $$$, when you do purchase packaged goods choose the product with the least packaging or the one which the packaging can be recycled with the greatest ease.
Just being conscious about the way we live. Its easier now with the issue in more public light. Compost, co-op, network, and brainstorm with neighbors and friends on discussion boards like this one!
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Permalink Reply by Beth Pratt on -
Thanks, Cisco! It's amazing once you become aware, how much you can save. Like you, I use old envelopes and junk mail for notes--I almost never use virgin paper. And I have tried to buy as much as possible in bulk--I wish stores offered more products.
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