The all-time worst trash offender of all is probably the disposable
diaper. Granted, they have lightened the burden of millions of
mothers since they were introduced, but the billions of the feces-filled
wads sit in the dumps un-degraded for years. Since there are
alternatives such as cloth and fully-compostable disposable diaper liners,
do we really need to save our dirty diapers for future generations?
Our pediatrician calls that, “Saving poops for posterity”, and is an
active anti-diaper fiend.
LANDFILLS - WHAT GOES ON UNDER THAT SOIL CAP?
All those newspapers, diapers, and cardboard boxes will never compost
themselves once they are covered over after arrival at the dump.
They will likely last as long as any plastic or foam with the soil cap
required by the EPA in place. When composting garden waste, we know
that the compost pile is essentially a living thing: it needs water and
oxygen to break down unusable matter to that loamy rich goodness we add to
our soil. Without air and water, the paper and other organic matter
just sits there. When anaerobic trash piles have been opened 100
years after they were abandoned, newspapers have been found in readable
condition, better preserved than they can be saved in the archives of our
finest libraries!
WHAT
CAN WE DO?
Go fully green…practice the Three R’s:
-
REDUCE:
Reduction of waste starts at the store. Buy in bulk. Buy
products that use less packaging. Ship with popped corn or starch
fillers rather than styro or peanuts. Vote with your dollars for
stores that promote less waste in packaging. Take your own
reusable bags when you shop. Use cloth diapers or those with
compostable liners.
-
REUSE:
Compost paper products or use as mulch under a light covering of soil.
Use funny pages for wrapping paper. If you must use sandwich bags,
wash and reuse. Substitute waxed or non-bleached butcher paper for
wrapping food. Use a thermos for carrying a hot lunch or beverage.
Donate extra craftable materials like foam blocks to your school for art
projects. Make your own plastic cloches. Use chunk foam for
potted plant drainage.
-
RECYCLE:
Find out how your solid-waste management company wants the solids
re-sorted and follow their guidelines. Keep all materials as clean
as possible. Many supercenters have a plastic bag return barrel
near the entrance - use it! Recycling rates are lower than we
assume: the Wall Street Journal claims we are only recycling 5% of
plastic bags and 10% of paper bags. The rest ends up in the
landfill. Cardboard is the recycle winner: up to 40% is shipped
abroad (often to Mexico) to be remanufactured.
For an excellent reference on alternative packaging products and their
parent companies, please visit
www.BPIWorld.org. There you can view many new green
products using cellulose films, kenaf, sugarcane bagasse, wheat and palm
fiber, and many other innovative materials on the market.
