The Changes

Is there really need for garbage? Is it possible to live without producing waste?

I'm at a place where i recycle everything that can be... but i want to be in a place where i buy things according to whether or not the packaging can be recycled or reused. I live in an apartment now... so i don't know how i can do the compost thing... but i want to find out!!!

I want to make all my own bodycare products and household cleaning products (i know how!) and show others how to as well! This will reduce the use of chemicals in our community, and the amount of waste those products create.

i want to make an effort to buy all my clothes second hand... like i used to when i was young.

i want to start up a Vancouver free store! i just need the space to do it! A place where people can leave what they no longer need (in good condition), and take what they need. Books, clothing, appliances, furniture... what ever there is room for. an open space where people can freely go. Some volunteers to keep things organized and turn away genuine garbage and broken items.
A place where people are giving... and they know they are giving to the community! A place where people are not greedy, and only take what they need, knowing others are also in need!

Since I started my career as an accountant in a huge company, I couldn't help but notice the incredible volume of paper that gets used every day.  Often print jobs left on the printer will just be put in the recycle bin and the owner will simply print again, or people print a whole file for just a few pages.  Also, our work provides us with a variety of drinks including bottled water.  I've noticed that almost everyone takes a new bottle of water rather than using the filtered water tap to refil and reuse their bottle.  Even better would be to use the glasses provided and fill them with the filtered water.  So I've tried leading by example and spreading the word that reducing comes before recycling...

I'm a working mother of 2, with a hubbie who also works f/t and we have never been "environmental" beyond recycling.  I am becoming more and more concerned about how my conveniences/lifestyle are affecting the environment.  We have a pretty good life, not extravagant when compared to peers in our community.  But now I am beginning to think beyond that, because even though our conveniences aren't extravagant our choices affect everyone around us and most importantly those with few choices and certainly no "conveniences.