Summer tips for reducing waist waste: No, this isn’t a diet plan to fit your winter body back into your Speedos. This is a reminder of how to keep your carefree summer days waste-less, if not waste free.
As summer temperatures heat up in San Diego, people will shed their winter layers and head out for beaches, bays, parks, and trails and where ever we go, stuff is sure to come along. Whether you head for the water or the hills, some common gear is likely to be part of your survival pack. A little pre-planning will help you to make your outings waste free.
Staying hydrated on hot summer days is a number one health priority. Be sure to carry water with you if you are outdoors and away from a faucet. But eschew those single use water bottles and find a refillable variety. If you want your water filtered, you can save money by having a filter system added to your home tap, getting a filtering water pitcher, or buy your water in larger quantities, such as 1-gallon to 5-gallon jugs.
Tote it, pack it, carry it back home. Dining alfresco is no excuse for waste. Here are some tips for keeping your picnics waste free:
Keep a picnic basket or bag packed with reusable table service items, such as: cloth napkins, reusable plastic or metal beverage mugs, wine glasses, and cutlery. Many of these things can be acquired for a small cost at resale stores.
If your picnic includes food to keep cool, use a durable cooler in lieu of the Styrofoam kind. Use freezer packs to chill your cooler. Cooling your food with water frozen in a reusable bottle will have the side benefit of giving you a refreshingly cold drink as the ice is melting. And you don’t have sloppy melting ice cubes to contend with.
Pack your food in reusable containers. When plastic bags must be used, wash and reuse them. Bring beverages in reusable or recyclable containers.
Got leftovers…take them back home to your compost pile. Remember that meat and dairy products are not recommended for home composting operations as they do not compost well and might attract vermin.
Zero waste backyard parties: For intimate groups, you can follow the same rules as a zero waste picnic. Keep a supply of inexpensive, reusable table service items on hand. Cloth shop rags that can be found in bulk at many big box stores make great casual, reusable, napkins. For larger, catered affairs, there are several “green” caterers in San Diego who will make your event waste free. For a list of green caterers, Click Here.
If your guest list outstrips your capacity for durable table service and your budget does not include a green caterer, you can still have a green party if your guests are up to the challenge. In your e-invitations, let your guests know your intentions for a zero waste event and ask that they bring their own table services to take back and launder at their own home. Let the attendees know that single use, disposable items are not welcome. You can have your zero waste party and educate your guests too.
At this time San Diego does not have food waste recycling available to the general public, so compostable tableware will not be accepted in your curbside greenery collection. However, if you are an active composter you may able to compost these items at home, but they will take a while to decompose in a backyard composting system.
Other summer tips for waste reduction:
With warmer weather and longer daylight hours, consider saving gas and air pollution by walking or biking to work one or two days a week. Too far to go? Consider combining mass transit with biking or walking. Or drive half the way and bike the rest.
For more facts and tips about zero waste, visit the California Integrated Waste Management web site
