Trash Talk - Day 14 (Final Entry)

(This post is from December, there were technical difficulties in posting it, I apologize for the delay!)

I'm done! And with only 21.3 ounces of trash - although that doesn't sound much I've actually accumulated a large volume of trash - see below!

The white bag in my left hand contains the trash that I generated during my first week - it weighs 14.3 oz. The brown bag in my right hand contains my trash from the second week - it weighs 7.0 oz. Even though those two bags look like they are the same size in the picture, the brown bag is significantly thinner than the white one :)

So, I was able to reduce my trash by 50% by eating out less, always packaging my own food in reusable containers, carrying my own utensils, and always ordering food for "here" and not "to go" to minimize wasted packaging. One of the best habits I picked up is carrying a large purse and keeping a plastic bag in it, so that when a recycling bin or compost is not nearby, I can pop the trash in my bag and recycle it when I do have access. After dragging up to 14 days worth of trash around every day, it has become a habit. It's going to be weird (and repulsing) to start using my trash can again.

For future trash talkers, I recommend buying a portable utensil set like one of these ... these sets are great! Just make sure to wash them at the end of the day :)

Ashley told me that previous trash talkers have had trouble throwing their trash collection away at the end of the program... I felt the same way this morning as I said goodbye to mine - it was like leaving a loved one at the airport, I turned and regretfully looked back as I walked away, but I just had to accept that there is nothing else I could have done with it.

This experience has definitely changed my life for the better, and I am really glad I did it. So, when are YOU going to try it?!