Getting Woke with a Digital Trash Log

I'm siding with the wisdom of Amy Korst, author of The Zero Waste Lifestyle (and fellow Oregonian!) in that visualizing our own trash waste is a great way to reflect on your entire philosophy of consumption.

However, I am unlike Amy in that I do not have time or the emotional fortitude to gather and bag all my trash, to weigh it per week.

As mentioned in my manifesto, I gave zero waste lifestyles a valiant effort in 2018 - but suffered whiplash afterwards, feeling like I couldn't possibly do enough to actually help the planet. Still, I did develop several habits which have helped better position me to make a more meaningful and lasting shift.

The Digital Trash Log
Instead of noting, keeping and weighing my trash, I am opting to use tools I already use often to help me inventory.

I use a free Evernote account in general to keep my life organized; and within it I already keep a Zero Waste Lifestyle Tips tracker. I simply created a "Trash Log" that I can add to throughout the day, either from my laptop computer or the handy app on my phone.  

*UPDATE - Lapses don't mean I had a ton of zero-waste days! They just mean I am a human and lost the will to log onto my computer constantly. But trust me, I'm noting everything in my head even if I am not officially writing it down each day.

 My Digital Trash Log, December 28

Compost
One Tetley tea bag
One paper coffee filter + coffee grounds
1/4 of a dying zucchini

Trash
One used tampon (I'm a woman; get over it)
one Taco Bell paper wrapper
like six Taco Bell napkins we didn't need but received in drive-through
one Taco Bell paper bag
plastic piece cut off a plastic sack containing shredded cheese (the tamper-proof part)

Recycle
one aluminum beer can
junk mail
AAA magazine I automatically receive because I'm a member
cardboard egg carton


My Digital Trash Log, January 12
Trash
Plastic-coated stickers that are on glass bottles I will re-use as kitchen, bath or craft storage

Compost
One Tetley tea bag
Garlic skins
Carrot butt





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