Month: March 2018

The actions that I have taken so far are making my own toothpaste, studying the recycling and composting policies of various communities, and using cloth towels instead of paper towels. I think the toothpaste is disgusting. I made it with baking soda and coconut oil. Luckily, the hot water in the sinks of Morrill Tower is hot enough to melt coconut oil. The mixture smells weird and I wish I had added some sort of peppermint flavoring. It was interesting to study the recycling and composting policies of Sylvania (Ohio), Columbus (Ohio), and The Ohio State University. The composting policies are practically nonexistent. It is very hard to remember to avoid paper towels when I am using the restroom in other places around campus. I need to adjust my action plan by giving myself reminders to avoid the use of paper towels outside of Morrill. I did not realize how challenging it is to not rely on paper towels. I also find the consistency of the toothpaste to be an unexpected challenged. I prefer the feeling of Colgate toothpaste.

So far, I have learned that it is fun to make your own toothpaste. I may even consider making my own shampoos and soaps. I have learned the amount of times I use paper towels in one day- it is a large and disappointing. I have also learned how Ohio State’s recycling policy is weak compared to that of my hometown, Sylvania, and Columbus. They do not accept a lot of materials that Columbus and Sylvania do accept.

Works Cited

City of Sylvania Refuse, Recyclables and Green Yard Waste Collections

City of Sylvania 2018 Recycling Schedule

Recycolumbus

Relevant Code and Policy Explained for Community Gardens

What Can I Recycle?

Facilities Operations and Development

University Dining Services: Composting and Recycling

10 Actions an Individual Can Take to make an Impact with Reducing Waste

• Trade out paper towels for air dry and cloth towel drying.
• Purchasing/making a bin or area for compost for your living area.
• Get advice and permission to set up a compost system for your living area.
• Spend 5 days using your normal habits of waste disposal (keep all trash), then spend 5 days working hard to use no materials that will go to a landfill (keep all things that aren’t recycled or composted). Compare the differences in your trash- you will see a little bit of effort does make a difference.
• Make your own tooth paste
• Educate your neighborhood on what can be composted and what cannot (do the same with recycling)
• Purchase food that you know you will eat- do not buy food you will end up throwing away.
• Separate food waste from non-food waste and take it to an anaerobic digestion facility
• Donate all of your clothes- and purchase them from second-hand stores
• Bring your own cup when you go out- do not purchase drinks in non-recyclable/compostable materials

5 Actions I will Complete to Reduce Waste:

• Trade out paper towels for air dry and cloth towel drying.
• Get advice and permission to set up a compost system for your living area.
• Educate yourself on the recycling and composting policies of cities that you normally live in or visit.
• Spend 5 days using your normal habits of waste disposal (keep all trash), then spend 5 days working hard to use no materials that will go to a landfill (keep all things that aren’t recycled or composted). Compare the differences in your trash- you will see a little bit of effort does make a difference.
• Make your own tooth paste

I am going to be challenged in remembering to not use paper towels. I depend on them for drying my hands, drying my dishes, wiping up spills, and many other things. I never realized how many I used- they are thin so I would use a lot for only one purpose. I will need to put my cloth towels everywhere so I remember to use them. I do not think I will struggle with finding a compost bin- the problem will be finding a place to take the compost when it is full. It will be challenging for me to spend 5 days using as little waste as possible. I will need to make a meal plan before the week starts so that I will buy foods that come without wrapping or wrapping that is compostable/recyclable. I want to show how a little effort can go a long way- this means I need to make sure there is a significant difference between the waste collected in my wasteful week and the waste collected in my waste free week.

I hope to learn how wasteful I am. I hope to get a reality check from completing my Month of Action. I also hope to learn from Lauren Singer, zero-waste activist, to make small changes in my life to help the environment. I would love to rely on homemade toiletries- toothpaste and shampoos. I also want to learn enough about Columbus’s, The Ohio State University’s, and my hometown’s (Sylvania, Ohio) recycling and composting policies so that I can educate others on how to be less wasteful.

 

Works Cited

10 Trash Reducing Tips From Zero-Waste Activist Lauren Singer

15 Easy Ways To Reduce Landfill Waste

Composting At Home