For the first week of the Sustainable System class.
I am tracking down my trash waste using a Weekly Trash Inventory Chart.
I have started to bring recycling shopping bags two years ago when NewYorkCity started charging fees for shopping bags due to the environmental plan. I thought that I am a quiet economic friendly person, hence I usually bring my own recycling bag, but I have noticed from documenting my trash, that I do still use plastic bags in the supermarket while packing for meat and veggies.
I am a heavy coffee person who needs caffeine to survive through my days. I have also noticed that I have created so much plastic waste out of the habit of drinking coffee; tons of k-cups at home, a couple of plastic coffee cups, and straws every single day.
I have also notice that my eating habit is quite unhealthy. Due to the overwhelming of the starting of the semester. I have not yet formed a regular eating schedule, so I have eaten so much instant food that creates lots of plastic packaging and forks. This not only creates much unrecyclable plastic but is also not giving me enough nutrition.
Another thing that I started to notice by looking at the photos I took of some of my trash throughout the week was that there are certain things that we throw out that are inevitable. For example, cans of containers for cat food, plastic packages for products, and many small little plastic cards. These are the things that we needed that are pre-packed beforehand before we have a choice. These are things that are difficult to change only when manufacturers join us can we make environmentally friendly choices.
I have noticed that I am constantly creating plastic trash that could be avoided every day without paying any attention such as coffee cups, straws, and take-out containers. I would like to start to bring my own reusable coffee bottles or water containers from now on instead of getting different plastic bottles and straws. If in any condition that I am buying a drink with plastic bottle and straws. I will definitely throw them in recycle bin instead of the trash can.
