< Why I Love Our Food Co-op | Main | Chicken School - Arrival Day! >

Herbie: Then and Now

Posted at 8:56 AM on March 24, 2008 by Donna McClurkan (6 Comments)

Do you carry a snapshot of your trash container in your wallet? Probably not. I won't say we've gone that far either, though we are anxious to share this photo.

"Herbie Curbie" is the official name for the two-wheeled polyethylene refuse container used for curb-side pickup. It's provided by our waste management company. Herbies come in three sizes. Our former container - the 95 gallon model - is on the left. Today, we proudly use the smallest available container, at right, a 32 gallon receptacle we affectionately refer to as "Herbie, Jr."

What does this have to do with eating local food? A lot.

Since we started sourcing much of our food close to home, we've experienced a big drop in the amount of trash we generate. Same for our recyclables.

Why? It's all about packaging. Local foods require minimal packaging, most of which can be returned to the source to be refilled (egg cartons, produce boxes, etc.) or reused at home. Also, we buy items such as dry beans and (non-local) peanut butter in bulk from our local food co-op. We'll further reduce contributions to our landfill when the weather warms up and we can resume our composting routine.

The dramatic decrease in waste and recyclables was totally unexpected, and turns out to be yet another good reason to eat locally. Imagine the positive impact to our bulging landfills when eating closer to home catches on in a big way.

Comments (6)

---

Way to go Donna! A couple of years ago when I inquired, I was surprised that one doesn't save that much money off the bill for reducing your waste; I guess the garbage truck transportation costs to my house are the same. And I know that it is its own reward. So we still use the big container but maybe fill it half full. But now I want a small one like you have - it must feel so good.

Posted by Molly | March 26, 2008 3:23 PM

---

I forgot to add this: In our community, people get to choose their own garbage service. And in our little neighborhood of ten houses, there are seven different garbage trucks which roll down our street every week. That includes one recycling truck, four separate garbage service companies and two separate lawn waste trucks. Unbelievable.

Posted by Molly | March 26, 2008 3:30 PM

---

Molly - appreciate both comments. Maybe we'll be trendsetters with the smaller containers! I'm shaking my head with disbelief on your second - how inefficient and wasteful.

Posted by Donna McClurkan | March 26, 2008 4:20 PM

---

Hi Donna,

I also have experienced a tremendous reduction in waste - both my recyclables as well as non-recyclables since starting a locavore diet. Unfortunately, recycling isn't offered at my apartment complex so I make a trip to the recycling center - now monthly instead of weekly so a savings in gas & wear & tear on my vehicle as well!

Posted by Scott | March 26, 2008 9:24 PM

---

Donna,
I just wanted to check on how things were going. I had made myself a little challenge, with your encouragement, to find a local source of meat for my son and our omnivore friend who would be visiting us in hte TX panhandle (I'm a vegetarian). I failed. Got sick over spring break and just didn't have time to do the research. He was here and gone before I knew it.
Your new smaller trash can reminds me that we had started a compost pile last summer. We didn't keep up with it because animals got in, but I have some ideas...
j

Posted by Jen | April 8, 2008 4:37 AM

---

Hi Jen - thanks for checking in. I hope you find locally sourced meat and that you'll write back to let us know the details (taste, prep, etc.). Your compost pile & the animals (incl a neighborhood dog!) it attracts is an issue for me, too, and we'll be working on ways to manage that problem this spring.
Donna

Posted by Donna McClurkan | April 8, 2008 8:34 AM