I was chatting with my youngest daughter the other day. We were discussing a pretty big concept, for such a little girl. My daughter asked why we have to sort our garbage into recycling and compost when it isn't always sorted at school, it isn't always sorted when we go out and when everyone else isn't always sorting their garbage? Great questions, really great questions. Be sure to check out all of our amazing Green Living Ideas for Families.
Her questions led to a discussion about personal responsibility and why we try and make positive green living choices. A conversation about how every individual person's actions have an impact on our society as a whole. Kind of a big concept for a seven-year old to understand.
Our discussion lit a spark. Our discussion reignited my desire to have a positive impact on the environment around us. Our discussion made me realize that my girls are old enough now to learn how their small actions can have a big impact. How every green living choice we make can make a difference. I wanted to explore this concept with my kids, in our house and share it with you too.
In the city of Toronto, where we live, the city's Solid Waste Management Services collect household waste divided into recyclables, compostables and waste. We are very fortunate that our sorted household waste is collected at the curb. Since the program began we have been diligently sorting our garbage. With the exception of the garbage that we generate in our bathroom. Everything that went into the bathroom garbage can, went into the "garbage"...unsorted. I knew that we were putting compostable items in the regular trash, but what could we do? Well, why couldn't we sort the bathroom waste?
Okay, bathroom garbage can be pretty gross. You know the garbage that goes in there; dirty tissues, used dental floss, sanitary products, empty shampoo containers, toothpaste tubes, etc. There is no way I am going to sort this stuff by hand...after it has been disposed of. Enter the introduction of a second can, our bathroom compost can. 
The addition of this little compost can means that we can sort our waste as we throw it out. The large garbage can (labelled with a "C") will be used for compostable items; soiled paper products, sanitary products, etc. The small garbage can (labelled with a "G") will be used for actual garbage; plastic from wrappings, dental floss, etc. Any of our bathroom recyclables will now be taken directly to the recycling bin in our kitchen. I truly believe that we will end up filling our compost can much faster than our garbage can. We will be sure to let you know how things go. How much waste will we divert from the landfill?
The Green Bottom Line: The green bottom line is that the addition of this garbage can in our bathroom, will result in our household diverting more waste from the landfill. A small change, it cost us $12 for the new compost can, that will have a big impact on our household waste and the environment.
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Gol
You can recycle plastic wrapping along with your plastic bags
Rachael
Sounds like a great idea! You are very lucky to have a city that collect compostable items in addition to trash and recyclables. I am amazed that you can compost sanitary products! I had no idea! Another idea is using cloth sanitary products as they can easily be thrown right in the washing machine!
Jen
Yes, we have a very progressive city run recycling and composting program. We are so lucky. I'll be looking into cloth sanitary products at some point through this year. It's something I've been curious about...and a little afraid of. Thanks Rachael.
Kate
You might also want to check out the diva cup. It is plastic (or rubber I guess) but if you take care of it, it will last for years. I've had one forever and I love it!
Jen
Thanks Kate. Yep, I'm doing a little research into the diva cup..looks interesting.