Category: Reducing

The Tricky Parts of Trick-or-Treating

Posted on by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

I’ve been out of the trick-or-treating loop for awhile. In my pre-parenting days, I didn’t really think much about it, and then once our kids were born, we lived somewhere that wasn’t really set up for trick-or-treating, and we didn’t want our kids having candy anyway. But, now with the kids a bit older and living in a bigger city, there’s little way to escape the event.

And, being the type that I am, I can’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed at the sheer volume of waste created for this annual tradition. I watch handfuls of candy go into each child’s bag sometimes. I know this might not apply to everyone, but many of the parents I know do not let their kids eat all of this. So, it either goes directly in the trash or Switch Witch takes it or it sits in a drawer for months until it finally ends up in the trash. On the whole, it seems more and more parents have become label readers. Ingredients like corn syrup, Red 40, Blue 1, palm oil, and more are found in almost every candy and are often things parents like to avoid. 

So, we’ve got either food waste or, for those who do want to consume the candy, there’s sometimes litter, teeth issues, and, of course, health issues. Also, because of the bite-sized amounts given, there is waaay more packaging used than would normally be used for candy.

All around, the whole thing really bums me out. Besides, I’m personally not a fan of the GIMME, entitled, MORE, MORE attitude that is associated with trick-or-treating. But, what to do? As a parent, I know, I feel stuck. I want my kids to be able to participate in holiday activities, and, unfortunately, this sometimes means dealing with all the wasteful candy.

REDUCE

The best way to reduce the candy waste is to either <gasp!> not trick-or-treat, or find less wasteful alternatives to hand out. The tricky part with that, of course, is A)How do you dictate what is given out? and B) What is a good alternative, since cheap, plastic trinkets are no better than the candy waste?

Sometimes in trick-or-treating situations, it isn’t even other parents handing out the candy. I find that most parents of young children understand how we don’t want to be bombarded with a sugar-y mess. I find the most “generous” candy givers are older. They are sentimental about the tradition and have either over-purchased candy that they don’t want to keep around and/or are truly trying to give the kids candy do something kind. So, the reducing part of this can get tricky… One of the best ways is with awareness. Maybe through articles or other means, we can start to spread the word and try to figure out alternatives to the candy overload. 

If your church or organization is involved in a Trunk-or-Treat, maybe you can gently suggest candy alternatives. If you or someone you know is heading up organizing a trick-or-treat at shops, maybe you can talk to the shop owners about this. At your own home, you, of course, have control over what you pass out, but I’m wondering if house-to-house trick-or-treating is even done as much with all the other options out there. 

So, what are less wasteful alternatives? As I mentioned, cheap, plastic toys are definitely not the answer. Those cheap bubble containers or mini whistles or spy glasses or anything purchased in bulk are usually things kids take one look at and then never think about again. Or they break after about 20 minutes. And they end up in the trash. Ugh. And things like glow sticks are so horrible for the environment. 

So, what wouldn’t end up being wasteful? You can Google “Halloween candy alternatives” and see what comes up, but a lot of times the plastic trinkets will be what you see. Some alternatives that sounded promising to me were local honey sticks, homemade play dough in reusable containers, hot chocolate packets, stickers, mini figs, coloring pages (you can print these out yourself), a small bag of craft supplies and instructions, homemade clay Halloween pins, or homemade small Halloween finger puppets.  Obviously, none of these are zero-impact, but I think it’s a start in rethinking old traditions.  

If you’re holding a Halloween event with a small group, you can each bring a homemade treat and set up mini booths shaped like houses to pass the treats out to the kids. 

Instead of passing out candy at a Trunk-or-Treat, maybe people could collect photos of their kids at each station or the kids could do a small craft at each station. Or there could even be supplies out at each car so the kids could participate in the actual decorating. 

At a harvest festival, you could charge a small admission and maybe the kids could play games for tickets and then trick-or-treat at small “shops” and decide what they’d like to buy with their tickets. That way you can buy higher quality items and the kids would be choosing things they want (and “earning” them).

This whole thing is, pardon the pun, tricky. At the very least, just start to become more aware. If someone tries to plunk a whole fistful of candy into your child’s bag and you know it won’t get eaten, politely refuse and ask for just one, please. Don’t overbuy candy for your own home if you know it doesn’t get passed out or eaten. If you really feel you “need” candy for passing out, but you never go through a whole bag, share with a neighbor. 

Look for candy with the least amount of packaging and the least amount of offensive ingredients. Maybe opt for crackers or pretzels or organic candies instead of the brands or foods that are overflowing in corn syrup.

REUSE 

See if anywhere around town would be able to use any candy you won’t be consuming.

Candy wrappers can be made into many creative projects such as headbands, bracelets, barrettes, coin purses, decoupaging and more. Search “candy wrapper reuse projects” and see what you find.

RECYCLE? 

Candy wrappers are not usually recyclable, unfortunately. You can look into programs like this one from Terracycle or this one from Rubicon though.

ENDING THOUGHTS 

As I mentioned in the pumpkin waste post, changing traditions, especially very established holiday traditions, is tough. But, part of being human and being on this planet is changing our ways as we gain new information. So, I really don’t mean to be the Bah Humbug of Halloween here, but I think it’s time to start speaking out and thinking differently about our approach to trick-or-treating. I’m sooo far from having the magic answer on this one, but I think it’s something to start talking about.

Thank you, as always, for being here. Your actions can and will make a difference.

Tissues

Posted on by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Like any paper product, I think that reducing facial tissues is an easy way to change our habits and help the environment.  For years, Kimberly Clark, of Kleenex fame, chose to ignore environmental concerns of cutting down virgin forests for their products because they felt these trees provided “superior softness.”  Oh, dear…    Facial tissues, like other paper products, involve trees being cut down, transportation pollution getting the trees to a mill, the pulp to a factory, the product to a packaging plant, and so on.  Many, many facial tissues use bleach to whiten their product, which may be leaked into waterways and doesn’t sound the healthiest for our bodies either.  The aloe tissues use mineral oil, a petroleum product, to create their softness. No, thank you.  And, tissues are yet another product that is thrown away after only seconds of use. Reducing our use of tissues is a no-brainer.

REDUCE 

So, how do we start reducing our use of tissues? My favorite way is with cloth hankies. Cloth is SOOOoooo much softer– no red or chapped noses. They are so much cheaper. They make way less mess. They’re better for your health, if you consider the bleach or petroleum products found in some tissues. 

I think when some people think of a handkerchief, they think of an old, snotty rag kept in a shirt pocket.  But it really doesn’t have to be that way. At our house, we have a huge supply of cloth hankies, and since they just go in with our clothes wash, we use what we need. We use a smaller 7.5” square size, rather than the larger 12” size. Cloth handkerchiefs can be purchased on places like Etsy, but you can also easily make your own, as they are just square pieces of cloth with a stitched border.  Just remember, cotton is a notoriously wasteful crop, so try reusing material you have or finding cloth made from organic cotton, hemp, or bamboo. 

I used to carefully fold our cloth nose wipes and place them in a reused tissue box so they would dispense one at a time, but that didn’t last long for me. It’s easy enough to do (a tutorial), but it’s even easier to just put a stack of clean ones in a basket or a drawer. Used ones just go in with our regular wash, whether it’s clothes or towels or sheets. They always come out clean and fresh! I can’t speak highly enough of using cloth—cheaper, softer, better for the environment, and bonus, you can have fabric with cute little designs if you’d like!

If you’re REALLY not ready to part with disposable tissues, just start by being more conscious as to how many you’re using.  Look for 100% recycled paper and a minimum of 40% post-consumer content.  Look for tissues that are process chlorine-free (Beware of “elemental chlorine-free!”) Also, be aware of what packaging the tissues come in. Instead of buying a huge group of travel packs, individually wrapped, buy a bigger box and divvy them out into small, reusable zippered pouches.

REUSE 

This seems like a strange thing to address. Once a disposable tissue is used, that’s that. But, say you have a stack of tissues that was sitting in the car and was squished or stepped on, or for whatever reason you don’t want to use these unused tissues as tissues. Well, keep them, and use them to wipe baseboards or clean up little messes. Use them for eyeglasses or wiping your dashboard. Don’t toss unused tissues!

The item you would most likely be looking into reusing would be the box itself. As with anything, you could search this and find a million ideas. My favorites are decoupaging or decorating it and using as an organizer, using as a diorama box, storing crayons, punching out small bits for gift tags, or playing a fun family game called “Junk in the Trunk.” In fact, at one point I wanted to try this game and had to ask people for empty tissue boxes since we haven’t had any in years.

RECYCLE? 

Here’s what I’ve read in my recent Internet search on this:

–Unused tissues are sometimes recyclable (But why on earth are you getting rid of unused tissues?)  And mostly, I read that the fibers are too small to actually recycle…

–Used tissues are definitely not.  However, there are some people who compost these, especially if they’re unbleached.  Research it more and see if this is for you.

–The cardboard boxes that facial tissues come in are definitely recyclable! Flatten them and put in with your other cardboard.

—Any outer plastic wrap should be able to go in with plastic bag recycling, but you might want to double-check with your local bag recycling facility.

ENDING THOUGHTS

Reducing our use of tissues is a great way to help the environment. And, as I said, for us, using cloth has been a far superior option. We far prefer the softness and cost-effectiveness of cloth vs. the scratchy paper ones that you have to keep purchasing. Consider making the switch and giving it a try! 

Thank you for being here. Your actions can and will make a difference!

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Toilet Paper

Posted on by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Reduce Your Use of Toilet Paper

So, you might have a lot of questions before this even begins, but I promise, I’ll get there. Why reduce our use of toilet paper? Just like with so many disposable paper products, there’s a lot that goes into making that toilet paper that you just flush down the toilet and forget about. The trees cut down, the transportation pollution, the factories, the water used, the bleach, the packaging, more transportation, etc. to say nothing of the afterlife… And, again, the famous Kimberly-Clark company is notorious for using old-growth trees to make their products. You get the point by now, right? Reducing our use of toilet paper is going to help our environment. But how to do that??

REDUCE

One way to reduce our use of toilet paper, of course, is to just be more conscious about how much we’re using. Might not save a ton, but I think that being aware of it can make a difference.

The other method, and my favorite method, is to use cloth wipes. Ok, so before you skip this whole thing, please just hear me out and be open-minded. I know that some people get super weird about this topic, but I really think it’s becoming more and more commonplace. So, some folks use cloth bathroom wipes for EVERYthing. I mean, EVERYthing. And that’s super rad that they make that work, and maybe someday, I, myself, will be more open-minded and be doing that too. We use cloth wipes in our home exclusively for #1 visits, and, personally, I think that’s a good way to start. So, this may be a post really for the ladies…

I’ve been using cloth wipes (for #1 visits) for about 7 years, and I LOVE it. It’s funny when I hear people get grossed out by this because, now, when I think about using toilet paper is when I get a bit grossed out. It’s paper!  No matter how hard the companies try, it’s either scratchy or fuzzy. When it gets wet, which is kinda the point, it’s pretty yucky. This is to say nothing of bleaches or whatever else might have gone into making this product.  We have quite a decent stash of cloth wipes, but when I’m not caught up on laundry and I have to use toilet paper (for #1) my heart sinks.

Cloth is SOooooo much nicer. It’s soft, and, if you have a nice quality cloth, it seems to stay mostly dry, so it’s easy to handle. Yes, you save money and help the environment and all that, and I know that last bit should be my emphasis here, but, again, I can’t tell you just how far superior cloth is to paper.

So, how does it work?

The first step is to get a stash of cloth. This is a great time to reuse fabrics that you were otherwise unable to pass along. Or bits from your fabric stash. There are also many shops on Etsy and the like that sell these simple square pieces of cloth and label them as “cloth wipes” or “family wipes.” It’s actually kind of fun because your “toilet paper” can be a mix of super cute designs. As I’ve said in other videos, cotton is a super wasteful crop, so do your best to reuse other cloth or find organic cotton.

So, we just put a basket on the back of each toilet with a stash of cloth wipes for us ladies. Then we have cans next to the toilet where the used cloth goes, but, as I said, with cloth, you barely notice any wetness on them. It’s not like a can of wet towels or anything. And then, I just throw them in with our regular wash. And this is where I need to just step in and say if you’re going to be paranoid and doing a whole extra wash and dry load for 20 pee wipes, then this method might not be for you. It might not actually be helping… One suggestion though, if you are feeling weird about it for some reason, is maybe consider throwing the wipes in with a load of towels or sheets. I don’t bother folding the wipes like I used to; I just grab a pile from the clean laundry and stick them back in the clean basket.

I know some people have kids–girls–who use a lot of toilet paper, like toilets getting clogged, major battles, redness from excessive wiping, etc. Cloth is a great solution! If a kid uses one cloth or five, it doesn’t really matter. The one thing is to just train your girl early on to throw the cloth into the cloth basket and to let you know, for sure, if she accidentally throws one in the toilet. Also, if you’re not doing the #2s with cloth in your house, make sure this is clear as well.

Cloth wipes are great anytime, but when they really shine, if you graduate to using it this way, is on-the-go. I know, I know, I’m probably pushing the limits of your open-mindedness now. But I bring little zippered pouches when I’m out and about–one for clean wipes and one for used. Small makeup bags are great for this. The used bag just goes right in the wash with the wipes. Anyway, if a stall is out of toilet paper, no problem. If the toilet paper is one-ply, cheap, thin awfulness, no problem. Going camping? This method is THE BEST, because you don’t have any soggy toilet paper to figure out. Going swimming? Toilet paper is THE WORST after swimming; I can’t stand it. Cloth wipes? Totally awesome!!

Anyway, as I see it, cloth wipes are an absolute win. Save money, help the environment, and such a better experience.

REUSE

Ummmm….no. Obviously, right? But, as I will mention in the tissue episode, if you happen to have a roll of unused toilet paper that got mushed next to something weird in the back of the cabinet, or goodness knows what other reason you might think you don’t want to use it for its intended purpose, think about if you can use it for something else.  Wiping up floorboards or greasy messes or something before just tossing it.

I will cover toilet paper tubes and paper towel tubes in a future episode with some more reusing ideas for those.

If you’re very into the cloth wipes idea already and those get to a point of being unusable, you can switch the cloths over to cleaning cloths at some point or recycle them in a textile bin.

recycle?

Again, if you happen to have an unused roll of toilet paper. I’m assuming the paper fibers are too small to recycle, but, again, if you have unused, natural toilet paper, there is a chance it could be added to compost. Do some research if that’s something that comes up.

TP inner tubes are cardboard and should be recyclable.

The plastic packaging should be able to go into any plastic bag recycling drop off

Ending Thoughts

I know that considering cloth as a way of reducing your toilet paper use and doing your part might just be too much for you right now, but maybe some of you are willing to give it a shot. If you are, I really think you’ll love it! But, if you feel this is “for a future date” or just not for you, and even if it is for you, but you still, ahem, need some toilet paper, at least consider shopping for smarter toilet paper. Look for paper from recycled content or bamboo. Look for companies who don’t use dyes, chlorine, fragrances, or excessive packaging. There are companies like one called, Who Gives a Crap, who really try to offer environmentally-friendly toilet paper.  So, do some research, and thank you so much for reading and considering all of this. Your actions can and will make a difference!

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Boo Humbug

Posted on by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

 

One of the worst parts about being the eco-conscious type is that I feel like I’m the Bah Humbug of every holiday. I cringe at plastic Easter egg hunts and Christmas trees being killed to put in homes. And Halloween is no exception for this major reality check.

Pumpkins have become synonymous with Halloween. It seems there’s no way to separate the two. I remember one year in my young adult life, I started to feel uncomfortable and weird when I realized I hadn’t carved a pumpkin for the holiday. The gooey “guts,” the smell of the pumpkin, the roasting seeds, the candle lighting up whatever face I had attempted. That, to me, was Halloween. 

But, times are changing and, as a whole, we’re becoming more aware of how our actions effect our planet and how our planet, in turn, effects us. And, pumpkins, I’m very sad to say create a huge negative impact on our world. Like any crop, they take tons of water to grow in the first place. But, unlike other crops, most of the pumpkins people purchase end up as waste, not as food. Then, as the pumpkins decompose, they release potent greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change. “BOO” never seemed so appropriate.

So, what do we do…?

REDUCE

The first step is to reduce. If you absolutely aren’t ready to part with the pumpkin tradition YET, then at least cut back. Don’t support events that hurl pumpkins in catapults for sport. (Better yet, write to them and let them know why you don’t support their event or farm.) Buy less pumpkins. I’ve seen people with scores of pumpkins as decoration. Simply start by cutting back. 

If you’re feeling up for it, cut out the pumpkins altogether. I’ve seen amazing spooky jack-o-lanterns made from beets, turnips, and potatoes. While this may sound odd at first, some of these types of carving practices were done long before pumpkins. I also find that these all create naturally spooky faces. What’s different about using these for carving is that when you scoop out the insides beforehand, those insides are most of the vegetable and can be used right away for eating. Any remaining bits can be composted. Also, these vegetables are smaller, which means less water waste in growing and less waste after. While I have seen other “alternative” jack-o-lanterns besides these, I think it’s always best to keep in mind which one will create the least amount of food waste.

Another idea is to create some durable craft pumpkins that can be put out and used year after year. Perhaps you can make some fabric ones as seen in this video or maybe there’s a craft base that allows you or your child to re-decorate the faux pumpkin each Halloween.

REUSE 

The best way to reuse a jack-o-lantern pumpkin, of course, is to eat it. Unfortunately, once pumpkins have been carved, and lit up, there’s little appeal for eating the “flesh” that’s been out. Also, jack-o-lantern pumpkins have not been grown with taste in mind, and this type of pumpkin is usually sub-par for recipes. One suggestion is to find a pumpkin variety that is edible, decorate the exterior, if you’re feeling inclined, and then use the insides for any number of pumpkin dishes when you’re done displaying it.

Also, if the pumpkin flesh isn’t all that tasty, there are still beauty recipes that could work for making the most of the pumpkin. There are hair masks and body scrubs and face mask recipes online that use the flesh as beauty aids.

RECYCLE 

The best way to recycle your pumpkin is to compost it. Read up on this first, as there are some tips you might want to be aware of like removing all the seeds and cutting the pumpkin into smaller pieces to help speed up the composting process. Also, I’ve noticed that because of the high water content of pumpkin, you may want to stay aware and add extra ‘brown’ materials while the pumpkin is doing its thing.

If you don’t have a compost pile, there are sometimes local drop-off sites after Halloween, so be on the lookout for those. You might also be able to bury some of the bits in your yard directly, so look into that as well.  I once had a whole family of javelinas take care of recycling my pumpkin for me in the middle of the night, but that wasn’t exactly planned…

ENDING THOUGHTS

Traditions are very tough to change. But, as our world grows and becomes more aware, change is something we are constantly facing. I know this may sound like a bummer of a post to some, and I totally get it.  But maybe, just maybe, we can embrace creating some new (and old) Halloween traditions that work for the time we’re in now.

Thank you for reading. Your actions can and will make a difference!