Reduction in the amount of trash

[cheriede]

Have any of you seen a significant reduction in the amount of trash that you have since you started recycle and/or composting? I know that I have seen a huge reduction. We are a family of six with two cats and we used to fill our polycart each week. Now, I usually have about 2 bags of trash. I was rather shocked when it first happened, but it seems to becoming a trend for us.

[nuisance26]

~Well, we've always consistently recycled here because our city gave us the special cans and bins when we moved in for residential pick-up. We only have 2 small trash cans and DH puts them out every other week, sometimes every three weeks. The recycling bins go out once a month. I've been making a stronger effort to compost and that has reduced our trash a bit. It's been an interesting mental exercise standing over the trash can and asking myself "Can this go in the compost?" Today I remembered to compost the clippings from our haircuts, the dirt I swept up from the floor and the bits of cotton fabric leftover from cutting out a project.~

[zakity]

Yep...

The company gave us a huge recycling bin and they come pick it up twice a month. Since it is huge (way bigger than our garbage can), I took it as a challenge to make sure it is full.

On the other hand, our garbage can is rarely full. We go through probably one 18 gallon can for the whole house for a week.

[bumplett]

yes! I had us down to 1 bag per week of actual trash for the 3 of us - the 4th FINALLY came home from deployment, so it's a work in progress -

I'm having trouble composting due to the dog that thinks it's yummy.

[IntlMom]

I think that I could give amounts or such, but YES, I definitley have seen a reduction! It's so rewarding to see the recycle can full, but the trash can barely full at all!