The Minimalist Daily Theme | Waste less Wednesday

In conjunction with my ongoing efforts to live a minimalist lifestyle, I realized several years ago that I needed to make a change in my purchasing habits. I was accumulating too many items that I had no need for. Long periods of time would pass before I would think about an item. Years ago, I began to think of others who were in need of the items I clung to. So, I started donating. I've continued this practice today. I've also increased my recycling efforts.

I'd like to share some ideas of things I do to reduce the clutter in my life.

Thrifting

Our city is home to several and donation run by agencies and groups. We are all familiar with Goodwill and the Salvation Army. These organizations help individuals with

Also, available is the Fort Bend Women's Center. This organization is key to assisting women and others in their efforts to become self-sufficient and independent after an episode of domestic violence and sexual assault. I have been affiliated with this organization for over twenty years in a capacity of as a donor replenishing funds, clothing, household furniture, decor and accessories, and children's items to assist in rebuilding their lives if they are forced to leave behind all they have accumulated.

After retirement, I donated all my business attire to the organization. I felt that in a small way, I was assisting survivors in their efforts to gain employment.

Any items donated to this organization and similar agencies are vital in providing tools vulnerable individuals require to rebuild their lives whether emergency shelter, legal assistance, housing assistance, counseling, wellness skills and fitness.

Recycling

(i) Every few months, one of our local broadcasting stations holds an electronics recycle event. During the week, you can drop off all types of electronics. Just be sure to erase any personal information the devices hold. I destroyed the motherboards to the hard drives. Find out if your city holds such events. Also, ata local retailer, Best Buy, that sells all type electronics has a "return for recycling" policy where they accept electronics;

(ii) Curbside pickup from residence. Our city provides each resident with a waste trash bin and a green recycle receptacle to keep at their home. On the designated trash pickup day, both heavy trash and recyclable items are picked up from your curb. For the recycle bin, pickup is scheduled every two weeks. That gives each resident a chance to fill the bin. My bin is always fill to the brim with recyclable items as I make sure the containers are eligible. Recently, the city added glass containers and cardboard. Each item has to contain the recycle emblem on the container. The convenience is truly helpful in having the recycle bin handy.

(iii) Drop off recycling facility. If for some reason, my recyclable item is too large for the bin, I can transport it to a local recycle facility in the area.

Reusing Items

Have you heard of reusable grocery bags and water bottles? When I shop for groceries, I would indicate whether I wanted plastic or paper. I would request both to use at home so that I could reuse them. Instead of purchasing separate small trash can bags, I reuse the plastic grocery bags. Why not? It saves money on purchasing wastebasket bags.

Also, after years of buying cases of individually-filled 8 - 16 oz. bottled water to drink, I purchased about six months ago, a sturdy reusable 5-gallon water container. It has saved on purchasing the individual cases. But the best thing about it is that I have reduced my carbon footprint in adding my hundreds of bottles each year to the recycle landfill.

I realize that these tips are just a small use case of making an impact. But I feel it does over time add up. Any way that I can help minimize the amount of waste my family consumes is a good practice. I'll keep it up.

Good luck everyone with whatever your endeavors.

SOURCES:
a) JustClickindiva's Footer created in Canva utilizing its free background and images used with permission from discord admins.
b) Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by me with my (i) Samsung Galaxy 10" Tablet, (ii) Samsung Phone, & (iii) FUJI FinePix S3380 - 14 Mega Pixels Digital Camera
c) Purple Butterfly part of purchased set of Spiritual Clip Art for my Personal Use
d) All Community logos, banners, page dividers used with permission of Discord Channel admins.
e) Ladies of Hive banner used with permission of and in accordance with the admin's guidelines
f) Thumbnail Image created by me in Canva.
g) "Flames." What is Apophysis 2.09. https://flam3.com/

¹ What is Stable Diffusion? StarryAI.Com. Online at: https://starryai.com/stable-diffusion