I recently stopped at a fast-food place (not my usual, but it worked in the moment) and was handed a straw for my beverage. I handed it back and said, “Can you take this back?” I try to refuse creating waste whenever possible while still trying to function—it’s a balance. I don’t think people want to create “more” garbage, but it happens.
Here’s the thing, though: in Washington State, businesses are prohibited to hand out plastic utensils, straws, condiment packages, and cup lids for cold beverages. There are some exceptions, like drive-throughs, which allow lids for drinks. All of these items are still available—but only by request.
This small act makes an impact, and it gives you a voice to accept one less piece of future garbage. Using that same link, you can also report locations that are not complying with this rule so they can be notified. I also don’t think most businesses are trying to break the rule—more likely, staff may not be aware or properly trained. Imagine the cost savings from reducing “consumables.”
Unfortunately, when I got home, I still had a plastic cup in my hand. It wasn’t recyclable, so it ended up in the trash. We can talk more about recyclables another time—it can be very confusing, and we can shed some light on that.
At home, I’ve also noticed—especially now while I’m working on composting—how many items don’t fit neatly into “recycling” or “trash.” Napkins, toilet paper rolls, cardboard food packaging, even paper-stem cotton swabs… We might want to consider a new bin for “compostables” that aren’t traditionally food.
A large portion of our waste stream is organic material. In fact, if food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, behind the United States and China. The good news? Yard waste bins are now available throughout the county, making it easier to divert organic materials. You can also learn about composting on our WSU Kitsap Extension Composting and Food Waste Reduction resource pages. More on that coming soon, too!
Another way to reduce your impact is by cutting back on toxic chemicals. Cleaners are often the easiest to replace with simple household ingredients that can do the same job. The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension has a great list of recipes for different cleaners and explains how these combinations work their magic. If you want to learn more about commercial cleaners and toxicity risks, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) offers a searchable database so you can know what you are cleaning with.
Want a healthier lawn without chemicals? There are simple ways to build soil and let your lawn thrive naturally. The Department of Ecology offers a Natural Lawn Care publication with seasonal tips and tricks. If you go green, you won’t go back! The City of Bremerton also has put together a great page with video tutorials. They’ve done an excellent job helping connect the dots so you can see the bigger picture—how yard care is planet care.
Lastly, there’s a project in the works: a compost demonstration site at one of our local parks, accessible to the public to explore different options and how they work. We will also be hosting free public backyard composting workshops so you can get your hands dirty before making a mess of your yard trying to figure it out. Compost is so much more than I ever thought—it’s my world now, and I’m so excited to share that with you.
In the meantime, explore Earth Day events happening around Kitsap this month. Be a part of it and share how you care!
