Burn or recycle

Garbage is an issue. Since long ago, when we lived in Edmonton, where there were (and still are great strides being made) pioneering efforts in recycling and refuse, our family has done quite well at the three Rs. "We recycle", a popular standard statement when speaking of ecological things, has never been good enough in our household. "How can we reduce MORE?" is where we come from.

Now, we live in a rural area, where, I can honestly say it's an even bigger challenge. We drive our garbage to the local dump (emissions), where it's hauled off, miles away (more emissions) to a landfill in another county that, according to provincial laws, paid to have their landfill lined. Our county decided to not pay for this upgrade to our landfill, but use the site as a drop-off.

So, our solutions have been to:
~Reduce in the first place. Buy bulk where we can, plan trips and lists carefully, reuse containers and other materials.
~find the best recycle depot (allows most types of plastic), which is miles away, but enroute to Edmonton, where my family is.
~Use our burn barrel for non-toxic paper items
~compost
~worm compost
~chickens get some kitchen waste

Today, because Saturdays' chores include a run to the dump if needed (mostly by Randy), we assessed our garbage situation. The conversation began because there's been a fire ban on, and the basket from under our sink would overflow the burn barrel. We've been dumping the paper in but not lighting it. So, what to do with the excess paper? I had mentioned that we have some empty boxes in the milk house that we could use to store the paper 'til the fire ban is lifted. Randy posed a question that I have been mulling over for some time. Which is better, burning paper and cardboard or taking them to recycle? I have always chosen burning over recycle, simply because of the long-term (and distance) effects. Of course, within this conversation, WHICH cardboards are ok, and which aren't came up too. There are many manufacturers that put crazy chemicals into their packaging. We take questionable items to recycle or dump.

Randy's newfound interest in these topics is very cool. 1, it puts me in my place, asking questions again, rather than assuming I've got it right, just because I made the decision a long time ago, and 2, his organized mind will help get and keep the garbage issue in order.

Because we were speaking of all the different methods of RR and R, I asked another question: How many garbage cans of garbage do we use a week? His estimate is 1. That's 4 a month for a family of 4. Or, if you look at it another way, one garbage can full of garbage a month per person. I have mixed feelings about this. I'm going to guess that, since I am a frugal, eco-minded shopper and waste manager, this is most likely low. I feel good about that. My eco-mindedness says we're not done. Why not throw the 1/2 rule at the garbage? MMMM. challenges. I love 'em!

BTW, the garbage cans have been considerably lighter, lately, says Randy. He thinks it's because we're not buying quite so many pre-fabbed, over-packaged and expensive foods.

Upon further inspection, the fire ban has been lifted, and we've commenced the burn.