Today I had a big success. I could get rid of my organic waste. I could find a community garden that takes organic waste. Though, the first time I went there the compost area was locked. That day I did not take my waste with me, but I knew I had to bring it soon. Talking to a couple of people there, I was informed that I have to come on a day members of the community garden are present. This makes it a bit more complicated, because I would have to organize my waste disposal according to some narrow time slots. The next time slot did not work, as it was raining and then clearly, no one would be in the garden. Thus, my organic waste was piling up. I was nervous to go there again, because I was sacred to be disappointed. But I wasn’t! It was such a good feeling the finally not let my organic waste go to waste!
I also got a waste card from the municipality. I had to apply for it. It allows residents to dispose their waste at recycling centers. I will need to go there one day for sure, as I may have to dispose something that is not collected via the containers on the street. I applied for it to dispose my organic waste, as I was fearing that the garden option would not work out. Since the garden option di work out I am happy to have a back-up. I think I prefer the garden, as it is decentralized and closer to where I live.
But this was not the only success! I also bought some of my staples from a zero-waste shop. I bought oats, currants and walnuts, one kg each. These are the basic ingredients for my breakfast. In the beginning I was super happy, as I thought that delivery is included. Though, I had to find out that it costs 8€. This is as the store is not located in the town I live in. I was very delighted to receive the package with my staples. No plastic! But I am not sure if I can do this with such high delivery costs. There is a zero-waste shop in the town I live in. I signed up for their waiting list. My position on the waiting list is 13988. Definitively, there is much demand for zero-waste. So much about it is up to consumers. Consumers seem to be ready, but the market is not. I also heard that another zero-waste shop will open in a town close by. Maybe that will become an option. Soon, I will have to make a decision, as my oats will last for another, I suppose, 1,5 / 2 weeks. The grocery store I go to offers many products in bioplastic.
I have to admit I am not an expert on bioplastic. But I think we have to be careful there as well. The process to produce bioplastic is energy intense and I am not sure how clean it is. I also heard that the decomposition of bio-plastic needs certain conditions, which are not met e.g. in the ocean (where quite some plastic ends up). The feedstock for bioplastic also needs to be considered. What is the plastic made out of. If it is food, it is problematic, for obvious reasons. Even if it is leftovers or I am not sure if it is good. Considering a closed cycle in agriculture, leftovers should remain on the field to decompose there and support soil health. If these leftovers are removed to produce bio-plastic farmers will have to use some external source to improve soil health. So, I am not sure what to think about bioplastic. I guess, I it is ok for durable goods, but it should not be used as a replacement for single-use plastic. This is as I think we could generally get rid of most single-use plastic.
My salad problem is not yet solved. I have to go to the farmers’ market. Honestly, it is tough to adapt my behavior. I am just not used to go to this market and I simply forget about…
I want to end on another positive note. I got recycled toiled paper, which is not wrapped in plastic. It is made locally and produced under fair working conditions. What a joy!
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