Food Scraps - Waste or Resource

I left off my last blog with a bit more to write about recycling wax-covered containers, but I wanted to give you all a break because the last post got a little long.  Being called out on Christmas for not recycling the wax OJ container is still with me a little, and I mentioned last time, it has made me think……..do I really know what can, and cannot, be recycled in my area & if I don’t, how do I find out?

So I checked, and I was right……..but so was my aunt.  Wax covered containers are not accepted by the waste management company in Butte County,  but they are accepted in Alameda as part of the Food Scrap Recycling program.  I am super impressed by Alameda’s recycling program and their StopWaste.org website.  It looks like they have done a great job of creating an online environment for the citizens of Alameda to get information about how to reduce their waste.   I think we all know, or maybe a few of do, that I get really excited about a well executed marketing effort.   Good marketing just makes me smile. So props to Alameda, for your Food Scrap Recycling program and for getting the word out.

Alameda identified that food scraps, and food soiled paper, is their single largest waste stream, accounting for 35% of what citizens in Alameda County throw away.  Alameda took action and started a Food Scrap Recycling program so scraps can be turned into compost – a resource instead of waste.  So now those wax covered container (including the OJ container from Christmas) can be taken out of the waste stream and composted. 

Composting may not be on the top of the list when you think Chic, but it doesn't have to be a messy process.  You can compost and keep your manicure too.  I encourage you to take a few small steps to try it out:

Start a composting program at home.  (If you don’t have the space, or desire for the actual compost, check out NIMBY.

1. Start in the kitchen – pick a container to hold your compost until you can take it outside.   I keep a small container so that I am forced to take it out frequently.   I would suggest using something you already have like a stainless steel pot you no longer use.  Some people prefer a container made specifically for composting that will cut down on the smell.  Check out GreenFeet.com for the popular Stainless Steel Compost Crock.
2. All aboard - make sure everyone in the house knows about the composting plan, including what can be composted.  Your local food scrap program will likely have a list for you.  If you are making your own compost, check out this list of commonly composted household items/scraps from the EPA website.  Another good source for tips and tools is the California Integrated Waste Management Board’s Home Composting website.  Most importantly, be kind to yourself – you don’t have to be perfect – do the best you can. 
3. Choose a Compost Container – you can use your household scraps to make your own compost without getting dirty.  I don’t like to get messy in the composting process, so I choose the easy-to-use Tumbler.  I got mine from GreenFeet.com.  Just toss in your scraps, turn it every once in a while and voila - you have compost.  You can also get the Outside Gourmet Composter recently seen on Oprah’s Living Green episode with Julia Roberts and Sophie Uliano, Author of Gorgeously Green.  But if you don’t want to make compost in your backyard……let someone else do it.

2.       Not in My Backyard (NIMBY) - Find out if your area has a curbside Food Scrap Recycling program similar to the program offered in Alameda County, or, find a compost facility near you and take your take your scraps to them.  

1. Many Counties and Cities already have Food Scrap Recycling programs.  For those that do not, here is a list of Permitted Food Scrap Compost Facilities in CA, which is provided by the California Integrated Waste Management Board.  I would guess that other states have similar information available on their State websites.  If you can’t find the information online, ask the company that picks up your recycling, and they will probably know a place.
   

 I wish you all the best with your composting effort.  Cheers to you for all your effort reducing your waste.

Wax on, Wax off

For my family the Christmas holiday is synonymous with food and drink - this year was no exception. My family gathered in Alameda at my Aunt Mary's house to have a really lovely Christmas breakfast, including Mimosas, before we opened our gifts. 

I was standing around the beverage table when I noticed the OJ pitcher needed to be filled, so I emptied the OJ from its wax carton into the pitcher. I then threw away what I have always assumed was a non-recyclable container (because of the wax). I forgot about pitching the container and went about my merry celebrating.  I was chatting, and laughing, with my sister and a few others in the kitchen when my Aunt opened the trash to throw something away, she pulled the OJ container out and said, "um, we recycle around here, who threw this away". She was doing exactly what I would have done, digging something out of the trash and trying to point out to everyone how they should be recycling. I was horrified. (well as horrified as you can be around the people that know you better than any others) I quickly stammered that I, I, I threw that away because wax containers are not recyclable, they can't be recycled, and I certainly would have put it in the recycling if they could be. She told me that indeed they are recyclable as part of the food waste. She pointed out her whole recycling system (very impressive) to the family, and I was thinking inside, how do I "little miss recycle" get called out for totally not recycling. It was actually very comical (probably mostly for my sister who got a pretty substantial giggle out of the situation) but it got me thinking about two things: first, I have "pre-cycled" wax containers out of my life, and second, maybe I don't really know what is and isn't recyclable.

First - The Pre-Cycle
I use this concept in my life called pre-cycling, but basically it is just implementing the first stage of the triangle, reduce! It seems to me that a lot of people get on the recycling bandwagon (which is AWESOME) but I think the reduce, reuse, recycle triangle is a bit of a hierarchy, and we need to focus on reducing first to make the biggest impact. 

So here is how it works for me, I pre-cycle when I buy. I do this mostly at the grocery store, but I try to do it pretty much every time I buy something new (or used). I realized the reason I don't handle wax containers much is because I no longer buy them. I know they can't be recycled in my County, so I simply won't buy product that come in wax containers. It is not too difficult to find an alternative. For wax containers specifically, I have found that my local natural food store, S&S Produce, carries milk in glass containers (even some that you can take back and refill) and other products like juice usually have alternatives that come in recyclable plastic containers.  I have used the pre-cycling concept to virtually eliminate styrofoam from my life (it's tough to do 100%).  For me, it started with mushrooms.  Sounds crazy, but I always love to buy the pre-sliced mushroom because I love convenience.  I could only ever find pre-sliced mushrooms in styrofoam, so I asked the produce manager at Safeway to please look into mushrooms that come in something other than styrofoam.  I stopped buying them pre-sliced until one day I noticed, what is this, pre-sliced mushrooms in a re-sealable plastic bag.  I was so stoked, I almost did a little dance right there in the isle (and another little dance when I reused the bag to carry my sandwich to work the next week).  Now I notice they also have mushrooms in a cardboard container.  I certainly don't take credit, but I appreciate the change.  These are a just a few examples.

The pre-cycling concept is not new, but I do find that I constantly have to remind myself to pay attention to the packaging around the products I buy.   Here are a few tips I use.  I would love to hear any others that you have.

1. Bring your own container to the deli/meat/fish counter.  Buying from the deli/meat/fish counters will reduce the need for buying meats in pre-packaged styrofoam.  Bringing your own container reduces the paper packaging, plus, your meats will be super fresh.
2. Buy products in containers that you are visually attracted to because you will be more likely to reuse them for storing other items.  It seem like a container you will reuse a few times is better than one you just toss in the recycling.  For example, I had a friend that really loved the bottled Starbucks Frappuccinos and would reuse them to store her different kinds of rice.  I love the concept because it's visually cool to look at, the containers get reused and the rice lasts longer.  I personally really like the POM containers.
3. Re-seal it! I love all the new re-sealable plastic bags that items are coming in.  Resealable plastic bags are great for preventing food waste, but I encourage you to use them again (and again, and again), just like a ziploc.

The second thought that came out of being called out for not recycling the OJ container at Christmas was "maybe I don't really know what is, and isn't recyclable".  I have confirmed that indeed Butte County does not recycle wax container, which brings up a whole other issue.....for next time.

Thanks for reading.  I hope you found it helpful, if as nothing more than a reminder.  I would love to hear any comments or tips.  Remember - every little bits counts!!