All good things take upkeep! We’re excited to give the Ashton website a brand-new look and feel. There will be lots of changes coming over the next few weeks, so please check back frequently to see what we’ve been up to.
Also, we love to hear from our friends! If there’s something you wish were on the website, or something that you think we’re missing, please drop us a line.
Want to know more about who we are and what we do? Check out the video below for more information about the Preserve and how we’re helping promote conservation in north-central Florida and beyond!
Just as a refresher: #WasteFreeFeb is about becoming aware of the waste you produce during the month of February. If it can’t be recycled or reused, you must keep it and put it in the container you have chosen for the month. Our Research Manager, Maggie, chose a jar (roughly a pint in size) and chose to do this for the entire month, although she encourages people to participate in any way they can, even if it’s just for a week or weekend.
Maggie writes:
As a bit of a disclaimer: not long after I finished writing last week’s post, I boarded a last-minute plane to Virginia to attend the unexpected funeral of a loved one. As such, I had to do my best to be waste-free in an environment in which I was completely unprepared to do so. On the way home, exhausted from travelling and from a plethora of emotions, I simply wanted to eat fast, easy food and basically purchased without any thought. It lead to one of the…
What about you? What did you take away from this past month? Any small or big changes you’ll be making in your consumption habits? I’d love to hear about them, or get any tips you have for faster ways to prep waste-free.
Thanks so much for joining me during this month’s journey with all of its ups and downs. I hope you’ve enjoyed it and learned as much as I have. Happy recycling, friends!
Just as a refresher: #WasteFreeFeb is about becoming aware of the waste you produce during the month of February. If it can’t be recycled or reused, you must keep it and put it in the container you have chosen for the month. Our Research Manager, Maggie, chose a jar (roughly a pint in size) and chose to do this for the entire month, although she encourages people to participate in any way they can, even if it’s just for a week or weekend.
Maggie writes:
I’ve actually kind of enjoyed this past week, not because I did particularly “well” but because it’s becoming part of my life rather than a chore for the month. Incorporating low-waste habits into my routine means that I’m creating less waste but also that I can accept when I do create waste because I know the effort is there.
What about you? Have you tried to go waste-free at all this month? What about just a week? Just a day? Just a meal?
Have you thought about having a compost in your backyard (especially if you’re a gardener)?
What do you know about shampoo bars? Do you have any recommendations for me?
I hope you’ve all had an excellent week, enjoyed the warm weather, and taken your reusable shopping bags with you out into the sun!
Just as a refresher: #WasteFreeFeb is about becoming aware of the waste you produce during the month of February. If it can’t be recycled or reused, you must keep it and put it in the container you have chosen for the month. Our Research Manager, Maggie, chose a jar (roughly a pint in size) and chose to do this for the entire month, although she encourages people to participate in any way they can, even if it’s just for a week or weekend.
Maggie writes:
My waste jar didn’t gain much but it wasn’t for a “good” reason. I had to remind myself several times this past week that the whole point of this is to make me aware and to learn what steps I can take. It isn’t about getting in trouble if you create waste, so don’t try to hide it. It’s just about knowing if there is an alternative (and I promise, there’s always an alternative–it’s up to you if it’s one that fits. I know that I am not at the point in my life where I can give up shampoo/conditioner and use those soap bar things, so I just accept that toiletries is an area where I’ll have to be happy with only using recyclable packaging, even if it is still plastic.)
I think my biggest eye-opener was a trip to one of those bulk warehouse club type stores. Although buying bigger portions can reduce the amount of packaging, at this type of store they seem to package within packaging! A 2-pack of orange juice cartons (both recyclable by themselves) comes attached by a big plastic sticker! It was a rough shopping trip and a good reminder of what to look for.
I won’t get discouraged, though! I may be struggling on some days, but on others I read the packaging of my favorite cup of tea and find out that the pouch it comes in is 100% biodegradable even though it looks like an odd foil. So I’m sitting here right now, sipping on my hot tea, and preparing for the week ahead.
What about you? Is there anything you did this week in terms of being waste-free that you’re particularly proud of? I’d love to hear about it!
*Any products, services, or businesses mentioned within are not considered to be endorsed by Ashton Biodiversity Research & Preservation Institute Inc. or its affiliates.
Just as a refresher: #WasteFreeFeb is about becoming aware of the waste you produce during the month of February. If it can’t be recycled or reused, you must keep it and put it in the container you have chosen for the month. Our Research Manager, Maggie, chose a jar (roughly a pint in size) and chose to do this for the entire month, although she encourages people to participate in any way they can, even if it’s just for a week or weekend.
Maggie writes:
I’m rather low on the income scale and rather high on the work hours scale, and I was worried I wouldn’t have the time or money to do this properly. What I’ve found is that a lot more of what I normally buy is recyclable than I realized and I can find ways to prepare ahead without spending an entire afternoon cooking for the week to come (always make extra at dinner for the next day’s leftovers, store my food in a way that keeps it fresher longer, take a few extra minutes when putting away groceries to divvy up some of the food into snack or meal sized portions to grab on the go).
Despite some uncomfortable realizations about how much waste I produce, how many recyclable things I’ve been throwing away unaware, and some heart-rending emotions about the waste our society produces as a whole, I’m hopeful this month will be a bit more manageable than I had originally anticipated. I guess we’ll find out when I update next week!
Maggie’s jar after Week 1
Recycling labels on the bottom of a cardboard box
Plastic bags that can be recycled
What are these dots?
Composting!
I can’t wait to share with you how next week goes in Waste Free Feb!