Recently, I moved into a new apartment in the city. Unlike a normal move, where I would be able to pile a bunch of junk in my car and drag it to wherever I need it, I decided to move to Japan, leaving most of my normal possessions behind. In short, starting out in this new apartment, I have almost nothing I need for normal living conditions. No cups, plates, laundry detergent, etc. And notably, not even a trash can.
Living without a trash can this week has been an interesting experience. Once in the past at college I participated in an Earth Week activity that involved carrying all the trash you produce for the week in order to get a better idea of just how much trash an individual creates in any given time span. As enlightening as that was, it was still undertaken with the knowledge that my trash could be tucked more or less out of sight and eventually disposed of.
Having no trash can, on the other hand, really makes you consider ever purchase you make and every thing you bring into your home. Consider a life where you could never throw out your trash and instead you had to make room in your home for all the waste you created. It would be impossible to live what most people currently consider a normal life. Pretty soon, your trash would outnumber your necessities, and with a bit more time, trash would completely take over your living space.
Life without a trash can is a pain, but give it a try for a week and see if it doesn’t reduce the amount of waste your home is producing!
Original Image: TheTruthAbout…
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