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Get the Facts Do Your Part
This is a core SixLinks guide
200 Using Energy points
by Rachel Mays Guide: Reduce to 1 bag of trash per week

Rachel's action: Reduce to 1 bag of trash per week

Everything that goes into your bags of trash every week is going to end up at a landfill where it will be buried with everyone else's trash. Not only are we running out of potential landfill space, but this is a huge waste of energy and resources.
Step 1: Take note of what you currently throw away read more
How many bags of trash does your household produce a week? What's in them? Keep track of everything in and out of the house for a week. The more of these steps you do the better, but doing any combination of them that gets you down to one bag of trash a week will allow you to check them all off and complete this particular guide.
June 13, 2009
The biggest thing that I throw away each week is Phineas' old bedding. Since it's rat poop, I don't think it should be composted, but I still feel bad putting organic matter in the trash. I use a lot less litter with CareFresh than I would with wood shavings, though (since CareFresh masks odors and absorbs much more).

This is something I need to work on.
Completed on July 1, 2009 at 7:40 p.m.
Step 2: Reuse everything you can read more
Before something goes into the garbage or recycling, consider if it actually garbage or if it can be reused in some way. Consider trying to sell larger items on Craigslist or Ebay or giving them away to the Salvation Army, Goodwill, or Freecycle. Know what sorts of reuse centers you have in your community.
Completed on July 1, 2009 at 7:40 p.m.
Step 3: Recycle everything you can read more
Complete our guide on recycling everything you can.
Completed on July 1, 2009 at 7:40 p.m.
Step 4: Compost everything you can read more
Complete our guide on composting everything you can.
Completed on July 1, 2009 at 7:40 p.m.
Step 5: Try to buy things that have less packaging read more
Consider the packaging of the products you buy. There is no reason for materials to go straight from the store into the trash. Look to see if your municipality requires manufacturers to take back their packaging.
Completed on July 1, 2009 at 7:40 p.m.
Step 6: Get down to one bag a week read more
Do what it takes to get down to one bag of trash a week. If you've completed all of these steps and still can't do it, raise a flag or ask for help in our discussion section until you manage to accomplish your goal. Make sure you can keep it up for a couple of weeks before checking off this final step.
Completed on July 1, 2009 at 7:40 p.m.
All Done!
Tomo Says:Great Job!
Updates and Comments: What is this?
The updates and comments below show how Rachel is doing in completing her action. You can leave her comments, suggestions and encouragement using the box below.
Tomo Says:This one time, for my birthday, I got a cake and a brand-new bone. It was awesome.
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