Garbage is wasted

Upon moving to our house we started recycling once again. Outside of paper and cardboard we slacked on this while living on the Arsenal.

Initially we thought all plastics could be recycled. Our trash for the week? One bag for the garbage men to pick up. This is for a family of five. Jason and I couldn't believe the amount of trash we recycled the first week only to be shot down at the recycling center. The city of Leavenworth only recycles plastic drink bottles, glass, aluminum and paper products. Nothing else. All of our rinsing of yogurt containers, shaking out bread bags, etc., were for naught.

Still we recycle quite a bit. Our trash each week is one giant black trash bag for the three bags from the house. Looking at the driveways on our street we have the least amount of trash among our neighbors. We're not talking by a bag or two. We only have one or two bags a week for the garbage men. Everyone else has a minimum of five if not more. Why? The unscientific answer is a lack of recycling. If every neighbor recycled at least one item, whether it's glass, drink bottles or paper, they'd cut down their trash by at least two bags a week. Easily.

One doesn't have to be all gungho on recycling or turning green. Every little bit helps.