Plastic bags, they're everywhere!

So the next big plunge I'm going to take, gradually but soon, is to cut back/elminate my use of plastic bags. If anyone here has done this and has any advice, it would be much appreciated!

So far my plan is to buy a bunch of canvas and sew tote style bags of it to use for groceries. I'll also get some mesh fabric and make one or two really big duffle style things to keep my recycling in.

I'm just not sure how to go about my trash and kitty litter situation. I can't stand, and don't want, my trash cans to get all nasty and sticky, but I'm not sure what else I could possibly line them with. And I'm not sure how best to dispose of and scoop the cat box either. Any ideas?

 

you can wash the trash cans ...soap and water does wonders

as for the kitty litter if you live in an apartment it can be harder to get rid of....we simple dump it on our property

if you have the space a worm composter might work ....good for kitchen waste to

 

I know what you mean - they're EVERYWHERE and it's disgusting. Hanging from trees, blowing down the street, clogging rivers and streams... ugh! If I find a rogue bag lying around, I pick it up and drop off a load periodically at a grocery store that does bag recycling. I do the canvas tote thing, too, and it's a great solution. I always keep a couple in my car for impromptu stops. Now kitty litter I don't know much about since I don't have a cat, but I do know that they make compostable litter, and that's the only kind you should put in a compost bin. Google it and I'm sure you'll come up with some brand names. I believe they even sell compostable litter at my local co-op. Of course you have to scoop out the fecal matter before composting, but that can be picked out and flushed down the toilet. One thing I've heard about compostable litter is that it doesn't clump like clay-based litter, so you can either fish out the poo yourself or get a double layer cat box with a top tray that will catch the solids and let the rest through. Urine is OK in compost. If you're really gakked out by not lining your trash can, they do make compostable paper bags, but that solution poses some problems of its own. Might work for you, though. Thanks for taking the plunge, and good luck!

 

paper takes more energy to make and recycle then plastics .....it also has a high enviromental impact from the destruction of habitat



scooping your cat poop to flush it instead of composting it ...haha

animal manure is compostable

 

Good ideas, thanks!

I don't want to compost my cat litter/poo because I can't afford to buy them good, organic food. They eat friskies. My compost is all going to be used in my veg garden, and I'm a strict veg/veganso I'm trying to carefully keep all the dog and cat waste outta there. Were it just going in a flower garden or something it might be different.

I might be able to get away by just scooping it EVERY SINGLE day and flushing the waste. Then when it comes time to actually change out the litter I could just dump it straight into the can.

Good point on the trash can, too... I might just stop lining it all together, and hose it out every couple of weeks. Since I'm composting and recycling it's not like I produce THAT much trash anyway....

 

The cloth grocery bags are great. I just put my wallet in my shopping bag when I go out, then I don't have to carry a purse, too. Plus the people at my local store know that I don't want bags now. The geeky teenager that's usually working always has some good-natured comment about my bags. When I do end up with plastic bags, I at least reuse or recycle them. I figure that is better than just letting them pile up.
Composting and recycling cuts down so much on the trash, though. We are down to less than once can of garbage a week.

 

I know I just went shopping, guess what
plastic bags nothing but them, when is people going to realise we have too many and use them till they are broke. No need they pollute big

 

Yeah, I was just thinking about plastic bags today... I really should cut down as well. I love your idea of getting tote bags and whatnot for groceries.

 

you can usually get cheap material at garage sales. That's where I bought the materials to make my bags. I do however use bags to place my trash in(about a grocery bag a month). I usually find bags blowing in the wind or in trees so I pick them up and use them(the recycling company doesn't take bags as they clog the machines).

oh and cat/dog excrement as far as I know should not be used in a compost. you don't have to take my word for it. do a little research... http://www.compostthis.co.uk/

 

My mom has a friend that travels and goes to all these little conferences. Anyways, she almost ALWAYS brings my bro and I freebie canvas totes that have various organizations on them (my favorite is the mental health one). Usually my bro doesn't want them, so I claim them and use them for my shopping. You could buy canvas and make the totes too, just sew two squares together and add handles, that way they can be as big or small as you need them.

For the cat poo problem, why not use a paper bag from a grocery store (reuse it) and keep the waste in there? I'm not sure what to do with it as far as compost/using it for something productive. Maybe use a biodegradable litter? My gerbil has recycled paper bedding, and as far as I know, it can be used for cat litter as well. I'd bet its harder to scoop though.
Peace

 

That's funny! I thought you were talkin' bout plastic baggies. Never mind. I haven't ever had a kitty cat, so I don't know much about kittys. I do know there is a box which scoops for you (genuis), then later you dump the box.

The canvas bags that work well are the book totes (from a library). They are practical for anything (organic food, you know) and they are the perfect size. Have fun makin' them!

 

Plenty.

You got the poop & you got the pee, and you've got the left over litter.

The 3 need to be separated and sterilized.

Vinegar neutralizes the ammonia in cat pee, rain water can rinse the clay after neutralizing, and the poops can be dried and ground for use as houseplant fertilizer.

The clay can be used for many things.

 

I agree, there are way too many of those darn plastic bags! I use canvas grocery bags and really love them! They are much easier to carry, do not break and you can fit much more into them, also, our grocery store gives a small discount if you bring in your own bags! I also use a tupperware (I know, plastic) lunchbox. It is great though as it totally eliminates the need for using any plastic bags, there is a section for your sandwich, fruit, juice box and a snack or whatever! I am also wondering about getting some canvas bags to put produce in...I really hate the plastic bags in the produce section.

 

i always use cloth bags too. i HATE seeing plastic bags hanging in trees or blowing down the road!!! i recently read that plastic bags take 1000 years to break down

 

you can recycle plastic bags yourself. Check out fashion and crafts section. There are instructions for making plastic yarn and a tote bag and sandals from plastic bags. I have also seen them crocheted into rugs and placemats and I am going to see how well they braid. I think it the plastic bag yarn would make a nice braided rug for my porch. Anyways I got a ball started and will see how it goes. If braiding does not work I will crochet it.

Peace, Cricket

 

If ur gonna sew your own bags don't buy new canvas, try to reuse some old canvas, jeans or other durable material.
I use a backpack for groceries simply cos it's easier to carry.

Not sure how ur disposing garbage in the can, are you throwing loose trash in the can? Some jurisdictions may require that the trash be contained in a bag so debris won't get blown away during trash pickup. If that's the case just try to reduce and compact garbage in the bag.

I live in a high-rise and they lock the bins so I have no choice but to use plastic bags for trash, paper bags will tear going down the chute with wet waste. The occasional grocery bag I get is enough for my wastes.

 

Most grocery stores have a recycling service for plastic bags, and they sell reusable bags. I've seen towns that have banned plastic bags and instead sell paper bags for a couple cents each, which is great because then you have to really think about your consumption, how to reuse bags, etc.
I bring my own bags and I recycle any plastic bags I acquire.

 

I have found that if you save those bags and stuff them into one of the new dog food bags made of the woven tarp material, that it makes an awsome archery target. Great way to recycle the bags and put them to a useful purpose.
I do think shopping with the canvas bags is the wave of the future, as there are so many bags that seem to make it into the landscape.