When we had the good fortune to visit Ireland years ago, we were impressed with their sense of reducing their collective impact on the environment.
Upon approaching a grocery store register we were informed that they do not provide packaging.
"You either bring your own bags, carry it out by hand, or go out back and find yourself a box."
Nice.
So when we returned we were determined to step up our lifestyle to be even more Eco-conscious.
so many things can be composted
More recently we were invited on Facebook to 'attend' the fifth annual event Zero Waste Week 2012, again originating in the UK, specifically Gloucestershire, but really happening in everyone's own home.
This year's theme is "One More Thing" as they ask you to ask yourself, "What's one more thing I can do to reduce my household waste?"
raspberry mango jam
Reduce - the less that comes into your home, the less that goes out.
Growing and preserving much of our own food is probably the biggest contribution we make to a better environment at home.
The only animal products we consume are eggs and we have our own chickens.
We make our own soap, laundry soap, dish and dishwasher soap, and toothpaste; greatly reducing the amount of packaging we need to deal with.
Our entire grocery store purchase this past week consisted of coffee, tea, olive oil, oranges, pectin for jam, and shaving cream.
We do bring our own bags to the market, but not always. When we get a plastic bag, at least we recycle it.
We all have reusable water bottles.
old scratched vinyl album turned planter
Re-purpose. Before you get rid of it, get the most from it.
We consider anything composted as reused, since it adds to the nutrients of our soil and consequently our food. Look for compostable containers in the produce area. Find more things to compost than you may have known about.
There are tons of ways to reuse things you already have. Here's a few on one of our Pinterest Boards.
Donating what you no longer need is a wonderful way to re-purpose an item.
support your larger vertically grown produce
Recycle. Consider this your last choice.
Do your darnedest to keep things from ending up in a landfill, no matter where you live.
Always try to buy a product that at the very least is in a recyclable container, and remember to recycle it.
compostable produce packaging
What 'one more thing' we all can do?
To be more diligent and set a goal of zero waste for ourselves.
Wouldn't you just love to wave at the garbage truck as it drove past your house? 
Fifth Annual National Zero Waste Week
Recipes for homemade cleansers can be found here.
14 Things You Can Compost
This post is part of the monthly You Can Grow That! day. Read more here.
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