Recently at work, we were informed that — for a dozen different reasons that don’t really matter because the result is the same — we will be providing all of our own content for our special home and garden sections that start back up in March and run through October.
Already miss you, AP.
One of these things is not like the other. Seen on my last shopping trip.
Anyway, last Wednesday, when I was working from home and unable to reach anyone because literally no one was at work (I can handle snow, it’s the ice that worries me. Apparently, I’m not alone), I thought about that special section and started to brainstorm ideas. I kind of missed the boat on our holiday gift guide publication as far as spreading the zero waste and minimalism messages, so mostly I was just trying to come up with stories that A) could be classified as “home” (writing garden stories is easier, so we always have eight of those for every one home story) and 2) would inform our 5,000 subscribers or so on the benefits of waste reduction without actually using those words.
‘Cause “zero waste” is scary. “Reduction” is too — who wants less of something?! (Uh, that would be me, but we’ve already established I like weird stuff.)
I was thinking about y’all as I started writing three such stories: What can and cannot be recycled in our county (with a couple of, “Hey, you can’t recycle batteries curbside, but did you know the hobby shop is a collection site?” sidebars), alternatives to disposables (“Reusable produce bags are amazing! So are hankies!”) and how to make your own cleaning products (our trash service actually has recipes online. We have come a long way, baby). They’re very basic stories. Well, you have to start somewhere.
Since we have nine total issues, I want to write one waste reduction article per edition, stockpiled so they’re ready to go. Other ideas I haven’t gotten to yet: An introduction to the local Buy Nothing group and what that’s about, and how to put together a reusable shopping kit.
Now I just need five more ideas. Ready, set, go! 😉
I’m not sure I would have thought of doing something like this without the encouragement of this group — not too long ago, you were all like, write articles in your paper! and I was like, huh, I guess I am a reporter, interesting suggestion.
So thank you is what I’m saying.
*
I’ve probably said this before, but there’s something to be said about going to the same grocery store since you were 9.
I stopped by customer service on Saturday for tare on my jars — I always go there first thing and no one even bats an eye — and got the nice lady who always says, “Do you need a marker?” whenever she sees me. She’s not opposed to taring them, but for some reason she doesn’t like to write on the jars herself — maybe she’s worried about messing up the lids or something, I don’t know (I’m not really the sort of person who cares about her lids all that much, pressure off). So she’s handing me a pen as I line up my jars on the counter, and she sighs and says to the other nice lady who will write on my lids, she is always so organized. I need to start doing this. And the other nice lady agreed.
Huh. It’s good to know they don’t see me as a giant pain.
THEN, in the bulk aisle, I was laughing at these two kids who were doing their own bulk spice shopping (“How much do you think this is going to be?” one said. “I have a dollar.” I so wanted to hand them some cash, but I was afraid that would be too weird. I try to pretend I’m normal, anyway) because it was just so awesome, and their mother looked at me and then my jar (I was loading up on nut butter from the machine) and was all, you bring jars. Not a question. So I said, yes! It’s great, I go to customer service first and get the tare so I only have to pay for the food inside, and she was like, I’d not have thought of that.
And then I overheard her telling her husband about this bold new idea like it was genius.
Sometimes, it’s almost too easy.
Also, I’m getting so brave about talking about this in public!
Hey, incidentally, I tried to start using produce-style bags more in the bulk section, just because they’re so much lighter to carry in — a bag filled with jars can be awkward — but I’ve decided that for me, jars work best. For one thing, I like that I can bring in different sized jars and get just that amount of whatever (I can’t be the only one who has problems with estimation), and I really like just having to toss that mess into the cupboard when I come home instead of taking the extra step to decant … into jars. Out of curiosity, what does everyone else use for bulk? I can see how smuggling in bags would be a plus in places that won’t do tare (the whole “ask forgiveness, not permission” kind of thing) … and I certainly like bags for produce.
I just think it’s fascinating is all. Probably because I need more hobbies.
Next up: Kitchen tour for shiz.
P.S. Michael Stipe, if using your album title is unacceptable, let me know and I will change it ASAP. Love you, by the way. You’re the first person I ever heard mention Dr. Bronners … in Sassy magazine … in the ’80s.
I almost always use cloth bags for bulk (unless it’s liquid). My regular grocery store doesn’t really do tares…the scale has a ‘tare’ menu but I don’t trust anyone to do it properly! Their system has you weigh your own bulk and print a barcode from the machine. The sticker is trash, but I decided just to go with this system because it makes things easy for the cashier, and I decided that I wanted them to be my friends and not resent me. So I want a bag that weighs as little as possible, since I’m paying for the weight of it.
And I seem to use the cloth bags at places that do tare – I just hate taking the time for taring. It’s also easier to take a bunch of cloth bags (I take my whole stash every time I shop) without having to plan what will go in each, whereas I’d rather not schlep a bunch of unnecessary jars down the 3 stories from our apartment, and back up again!
My grocery store is the same way – you weigh it yourself and print a label. I use cloth bags in the bulk aisles.
For spices, I use the little plastic baggies that are provided and when I get home I either wash the baggie out or I use a marker to write which spice was in it. Then, the next time I need that same spice, I use the appropriate baggie. You do what you gotta do! 🙂
I do the same with the plastic spice bags!
That’s interesting! I’ve never seen a machine like that. Still some trash, but better than an entire package. And yes, having the employees on your side is half the battle.
My situation is very different — no lugging up three flights. That would totally put a damper on jars!
And yes to Becky, too — we do what we can with what we have. That’s awesome you reuse the bags!
I use bags, because my store NO LONGER has the capability to deduct the tare for jars. Several years, still bitter. I like jars also, because of my inability to judge quantity.
I really, really, REALLY want Michael Stipe to read this blog and respond positively!
I have ended up with huge bags of things with alarming price tags when I use bags. That sucks that the store can’t deduct tare. Huh. I’m always realizing how lucky I am. I’ve never run into any situation like that.
If Michael Stipe DID respond, I’d just fangirl all over the place and it would be embarrassing for everyone. 🙂 He was my first environmental role model, though, no joke.
I finally thought of another topic for your summer home and garden issue. How about party planning? Using real plates and napkins (or bandanas. I’ve seen Martha Stewart use bandanas for napkins) for Fourth of July/Memorial Day/Labor Day parties?
(Look at me, I did my homework!)
Love it! On the list! Thank you!
I, um, use plastic bags for bulk at my local grocery store because they either can’t or don’t know how to tare and I use my produce bags for produce. I should try again because I definitely prefer bringing a container that can go straight in the pantry. At the natural foods store I use quart yogurt containers or quart mason jars and I know the tare on both (0.10 lb and 1.0 lb respectively), so it’s no extra time. Apparently we are the *only ones* who use yogurt containers in this way because we’ve had checkers say things like “hey, it’s the yogurt container family!” sigh.
And I hear you on the getting braver about talking about this. After 2.5 years of riding a cargo bike, most of the time I manage to say what I wanted to say instead of riding away wishing I’d said something else. Most of the time.
LOL! The yogurt container family! That’s awesome.
Hey, and we do what we can. Still less packaging. Does your area take plastic bags to recycle? Not perfect, but makes me feel a tiny bit better about our bread bags, etc.
I always think of the BEST things to say when I’m walking away. I’m just better on paper than real life!
My grocery store doesn’t tare, so I either use my bags for big stuff (e.g. nuts) and plastic bags for smaller things (e.g. couscous and smaller).
Some day maybe I’ll tell the dashing tale of how I learned you can’t put baking soda in a cloth bag. (In hindsight, so obvious …)
Loving the blog, thanks for sharing your simple year. I use produce bags in the bulk section. Also, here’s an aticle idea – or an add on to the recycling article: how to donate unusual or something not usually thought of items? Maybe an organization that uses dresses or accessories for proms for foster kids or those that might not to be able to afford prom. Or a program that gives suits to women reentering the workforce. I read the blog post about your wedding dress, that’s another item the general public may not have considered. It might be easier for some people to know their treasures will truly have another opportunity to help another in order to let go. Thanks for the Sassy magazine shout out too! 🙂
Oh, that’s a great idea — we actually have something called the Prom Dress Project, where dresses sell before prom for $10 with proceeds going to the women’s shelter, we have a reusable building materials store … I’m sure I can think of others.
I think the wedding dress post was Kerry’s — this is the blog’s fifth year, one blogger for each year. 🙂
OMG I loved Sassy so much. Now THAT was a great teen magazine.