Jay Hartley

And, if you're reading this and if you're coming to our church supper tonight -- I'm planning to make my own mess kit and bring a plate, utensils, and cup so I don't have to add more to the landfill ... and I invite you to do the same.

I also have to add, and I kind of hate saying this because it sounds bad, but:  I'm looking forward to throwing all of my trash in the dumpster tonight!

Day 21 of carrying trash.  Today I conducted my trash audit.  It is possible that I goofed and some of this could have been recycled, but most of it was foiled and I don't think it can.  Happy to be taught if I goofed :

FROM FOOD/MEALS:

1 styrofoam food  container
1 styrofoam plate
1 plastic plate
3 paper plates
1 plastic cup
1 plastic food container (mini-BBQ sauce at restaurant)
10 soiled napkins/paper towels
1 plastic fork
6 plastic food bags (grapes, tortilla chips, cheese, nuts, bagels, english muffins)
2 wine bottle corks

NON-FOOD Related:

1 toothpaste tube
1 plastic deodorant container
1 defunct ballpoint pen
7 packaging wraps (from accessories for computer gadgets and new phones)
6 twist ties (from the computer gadgets -- used to wrap cords)
2 trash bags (it all fit in one, but our dog chewed up the first one to get at the soiled napkins and paper plates)

Most of my trash in my trash bag is from food containers and utensils. I’m thinking I need to make a travel kit w plate, silverware, and cup for whenever I’m going to eat away from home. 

It's harder to not accumulate trash when traveling. Restaurants give me plastic cups & paper napkins and potato salad in a little plastic cup.  I brought my own water bottle, but hadn't expected the potato salad to be in a plastic cup instead of on my plate.  Unnecessary.

If you see me carrying around a trash bag ... I'm trying to pack up and carry all the trash I'm personally responsible for putting in the landfill during these 3 weeks.  We'll see how I do.  I haven't made much so far.  Next weekend when I'm out of town at Regional Assembly it may be tougher than when I'm at home.  We'll see.