Diapers make the difference!
As a new family of five (our youngest son is 7 weeks old), we weren't sure what changes we could make at this time. The biggest change we ended up making was switching from disposable to cloth diapers for our little one. Of course, when you add up the weight of throwing away all that "waste", it can really make a difference! Another change, albeit quite a bit smaller, was buying washable breast pads in place of the disposable ones. We also have ramped up our composting a bit, even composting our facial tissues.
One of our big recycling "passions" is the recycling of plastic bags, and not just plastic grocery bags. Unless I'm mistaken (and someone please tell me if I am), all those little dry bean, rice, cereal, frozen vegetable, and toilet paper bags can be put in with the plastic grocery bags and brought to most grocery and big box stores for recycling. Spread the word!
A real challenge!
You are to be commended for taking on the waste reduction challenge when you are in the midst of an even greater challenge to your routines--a new baby! Congratulations, and way to be role models!
Did somebody say the d word?
Hi Beyerleins,
As a non-parent-20-something-male, diaper world is just about the last thing I want to think about...but since you brought it up, I also commend you on the switch to cloth! I have no perspective on how many diapers are needed to support just one typical baby, but I am preparing myself for the worst...I was thinking maybe I'd rent a storage unit and start stockpiling diapers now. I would adjust my budget so I don't eat on Sundays, and that would probably be enough to cover it.
But, maybe, just maybe, if cloth diapers are managable and do not cause extreme bioharzard conditions in the laundry room...I'll be spared the excess costs and waste.
Thanks again for doing the Challenge!
- Dustin Nolan, Recycling Maniac :)