Lent 2007

With some guidelines, and a lot of creativity, I managed to produce only this much garbage in my 40-day Lenten journey.

For Lent a couple years ago, I gave up garbage. I know that sounds like a crazy, impossible undertaking, but Lent, for me, is about pushing yourself, re-evaluating, putting your existence into a greater context, a context in which Christ chose you to save. So I did some thinking, set some goals and some helpful guidelines, and got myself a garbage bag.

Guidelines included:

• Produce as little garbage as possible
• All garbage (defined as non-recyclable, non-reusable) must go into The Bag*
• The Bag must be carried at all times and serves to a) motivate me to produce no waste, b) stimulate conversation with others who can learn about protecting the planet
• *the exception is Biohazard. Anything that would cause illness to myself or others had to be disposed of properly (i.e. composted, flushed)

Things I learned to do:

• always take reusable bags to retail and grocery stores
• re-use plastic produce bags
• buy in bulk (less packaging then)
• buy from Farmers Markets (easier to bring-your-own-bag and cut down on packaging)
• take tupperware to restaurants to avoid styrofoam
• ask cinema concession workers to put your popcorn in that bag I brought from home
• stop using q-tips :(
• ask relatives NOT to gift wrap my bridal shower gifts...awkward, but necessary and rewarding
• take a towel into a public restroom to avoid using paper towels
• use a hankie
• buy the item that is most biodegradable or least packaged
• compost, compost, compost (and worms are your best friends)
• take only what you can eat
• Never, ever, ever drink bottled water
• don't buy new stuff; buy used! or swap crap with your friends! Think about it: You can probably share luggage or a lawnmower...why does every household "need" one?

I also spent a lot of time reading up on recycling, landfills, scarce resources...educating myself helped me educate others, gave me lots of food for thought, and made me appreciate the things I have, and freed me from wanting (most of) the things I don't. Admittedly, I still love receiving re-usable grocery bags. I like having a variety to choose from when shopping.