Ditch the Disposables

so i'm doing this challenge. (thanks, chelle!) trying to reduce the amount of disposable items we use around here.

http://crunchydomesticgoddess.com/2008/08/31/ditch-the-disposables-challenge-sept-thru-oct-2008/

things i already do:
* cloth diapers (or biodegradable diapers when not cloth)
* washcloths instead of baby wipes (though we also use disposable baby wipes quite a bit--they are so dang useful and handy!!)
* sealable glass jars instead of plastic bags (though we use a fair amount of bags, too, because it is just too dry around here)
* cloth towels/sponges instead of paper towels (i know technicaly sponges are disposable, but i put them in the dishwasher and they stay around my kitchen FOREVER, so they are really not more disposable than a cloth washrag in my house)
* reusable beverage containers (when i remember to take them with me!)
* cloth bags instead of grocery store bags (when i remember to put them in the car!)


things i'm trying to change:
* paper plates to my own dishes
* flannel cloths instead of puffs tissues
* paper napkins to cloth napkins (this will require the addition of some cloth napkins to my small collection. i might even try making my own if i can find a fabric i like.)


things i'm not trying but think are great ideas:
* cloth diapers instead of swiffer pads (i'll probably do this when i'm done using the diapers for their intended purpose)
* disposable feminine products (though i don't need these items at this point, even when i do i'm not sure i have the confidence in the cups and i *hate* pads.)
* toilet paper to cloth wipes/washcloths (since i already launder diapers i don't know that this would be too much of a stretch, but i don't know that i'm up for it either.)

but i'm also, as i mentioned last night, looking into replacing my trash bags. and trying to be more conscious of the things i buy and their packaging. things like buying cereal that comes in only a bag . . . no box . . . less waste. and various other areas of our daily lives.

anyway, this should be interesting and possibly challenging. i don't know if i'll be able to get the guys in the house to join me or not, but we'll try. and maybe you'll join me!

what cost?

i'm looking into and mulling over the option of using biodegradable trash bags for my house. i already use biodegradable (compostable, in fact) diapers on occasion, but what good is that really if i'm throwing them into a non-biodegradable trash bag, right? i know!

there are a couple of different brands i'm looking at one is Go Green bags and the other is BioBags. both are biodegradable. BioBags are actually compostable. Go Green bags last 1-2 years in the landfill. Bio Bags are more like 30-60 days "under the right conditions." there might be some debate as to whether Go Green bags are truly "biodegradable" (as in break down leaving nothing of consequence behind) but i'm willing to do more research before jumping into this idea with my pocketbook. i mean, if i'm really doing it for the impact it will have, i want it to be the right impact. for instance, 7th generation stuff is all warm and fuzzy because they use recycled materials and no bleach in their diapers and whatnot. but here's the thing, a plastic trash bag made from recycled plastic bags **without the added component of BIODEGRADABILITY** is still just a plastic trash bag. recycled is good, but if we can go with biodegradable why settle for simply recycled?

here the rub, BioBags are far more expensive than my current no-frills Glad bags. i compared prices at drugstore.com, which is a bit overpriced to begin with, but it is better to find all of them at one place for comparison purposes. Glad bags are like $0.11 each. BioBags are $0.51 each. and Go Green bags are like $0.37 each.

so here's my question . . . is the cost really worth it? would you do it if you were in an "enviromental impact" frame of mind?

i know it would be so much easier to just use the same old plastic trash bags i've been using that are cheap with no further thought. but it really bothers me that i'm filling the land with crap that is going to be here loooooong after i'm dead and gone.

and can someone explain to me why the things that are better for the environment have to be "luxury items"? why do i have to spend a fortune doing what's right? why can't the good bags be $0.11 each, too? let's be honest, if our household income was lower than it is i would probably not even consider this idea because it would just be too much.

so tell me your thoughts . . .

gWiz

many of you know that the golden house uses cloth diapers as much as possible. we did it with nate, and we are continuing the tradition with willow. one of the problems i've had with cloth is that they aren't so portable for long-distance travel.

the first time we drove up north for cmas with nate, i tried to pack some diapers, but when it came to packing the car with all of the bags and coats and gifts and stuff, that was the one bag that could be left out for space issues. and so it was.

i don't like using disposables. i don't like the chemicals. i don't like the fact that they take so loooooooooong to break down (and even then they aren't totally gone, just in smaller pieces). i don't like the idea of putting all of that human waste in the landfill.

but they have their uses. meconium is nearly impossible to get out of cloth. they pack smaller than cloth. you don't have to launder them (or haul them around dirty in the mean time). they are a trimmer fit than cloth (which can make baby clothes last a bit longer simply for lack of bulk on the bottom).

well, i think i have found the compromise! enter: gDiapers. these diapers consist of a cotton knit pant (outer layer) that comes in some very cute colors and has velcro closures, a waterproof liner, and a disposable insert. but here's the thing, the disposable insert is "disposable" in several different ways. you can flush it. you can compost the ones that are just wet--yes, really, toss it in your compost heap and make happiness for your garden! or you can throw them away. they break down in something like 50 days and every part of the insert is reabsorbed by the environment. (this does not deal with the fact that you typically throw them away in a *plastic* bag, but at least it is part of the problem. right?)

today is my first full day using them. i've heard some complaints about leaks, but honestly cloth diapers and covers are doing a much better job containing willow's poops than the disposables. in 'sposies willow has gone through as many as 4 outfits in one day (some changes in less than 30 minutes). she is definitely a different child in the potty category than nate was. and i'm sure that, as with all diapers, these have some "tricks" for optimal coverage. no biggie.

the verdict is definitely not in yet, but i'm intrigued and excited by this product.

here's the URL in case you are interested in learning more about them: www.gdiapers.com