More than a year since I emptied my garbage

June 14, 2018 by Joshua
in Nature

More delicious, more convenient, more social, more food, more satisfaction, less money, less preparation time, more joy.

How?

Avoiding packaging.

Avoiding packing by at least 90% has reduced my garbage to where I empty it less than once per year.

Me holding a year of garbage

Me holding a year of garbage

Think you can’t do it?

I’m not special. Anyone can do the same.

It took a while to transition—going from emptying garbage weekly to biweekly, to monthly, and so on to annually. It was hard, not impossible, and it improved my life at every step, same as it will with you. I’m aiming for biannually next time.

I empty recycling 2 or 3 times per year, since it pollutes too, nearly as much as landfill garbage.

Reducing consumption reduces pollution a lot more.

And it tastes better, saves money, saves time, and connects me with friends, family, and farmers more.

EDIT: While many respond by saying they feel inspired and find ways to accelerate their waste reduction path, many respond with how they have family, have to travel, or whatever makes them special snowflakes, uniquely helpless. Obviously, I made things work for my life not anyone else’s, so others would make things work for their lives, or you for yours.

Bea Johnson’s videos, her page, and conversation on my podcast show a family of four producing less garbage than I do. She became a role model for me, though I only learned about her after making this video.

EDIT 2: I didn’t empty the garbage that day. I ended up emptying it in September, about 16 months after starting the load.

Here’s the video:

Today is June 14. I still haven’t emptied the garbage since I haven’t had much to add to the bag.

Here’s the opposite of the video:

Plastic on the beach

Read my weekly newsletter

On initiative, leadership, the environment, and burpees

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by Kit

26 responses on “More than a year since I emptied my garbage

  1. Pingback: To avoid "processed" or "refined" foods, avoid food with fiber removed | Joshua Spodek

  2. Pingback: My favorite posts | Joshua Spodek

  3. Pingback: The award nobody wants | Joshua Spodek

  4. Pingback: My famous no-packaging vegetable stew formula, take 2 | Joshua Spodek

  5. Pingback: My email about cards and gifts | Joshua Spodek

  6. Pingback: #14 Joshua Spodek | The Ideas Lab Podcast - The Ideas Lab

  7. Pingback: My social media notes on the environment » Joshua Spodek

  8. Pingback: Avoiding food packaging » Joshua Spodek

  9. Pingback: Joshua Spodek is a Columnist at Psychology Today! /Ep2708

  10. Pingback: Avoiding food packaging » Joshua Spodek

  11. Pingback: Update: Day 365 of current load of trash » Joshua Spodek

  12. Pingback: Living By Your Values Is Freedom - America Out Loud

  13. Pingback: Space: The Final Frontier, hear me on America Out Loud on space, space travel, and astrophysics » Joshua Spodek

  14. Pingback: Single White Straight Male Living In America - America Out Loud

  15. Pingback: Hear me live 9pm eastern on America Out Loud After Dark (conservative radio) on living off the electric grid » Joshua Spodek

  16. Pingback: 4 Delicious Benefits of Acting on the Environment - Thrive Global

  17. Pingback: Hear Me Again on America Out Loud: Living the Simple Life Off the Grid With Josh Spodek » Joshua Spodek

  18. Pingback: Hear me on the Walk Talk Listen Podcast » Joshua Spodek

Leave a Reply

Sign up for my weekly newsletter