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I just returned from doing relief work in Port au Prince, Haiti: a city on an island that has obviously not come up with a way to manage its garbage. Trash piled in the streets, as there is very limited municipal service.  The rivers are piled so high with garbage, that often the water can no longer be seen running its course.  Pigs and dogs rummage through the massive piles and the stench permeates the air.  Second to the destruction from the earthquake, the garbage issue moved me to great sadness.

I have always been one who hates to waste, but my trip to Haiti motivated me to an even greater degree.  My family generates 1 can of garbage per month.  We are currently having discussions about how we can further reduce that volume.  Since we already recycle all we can and compost our food scraps, we are now faced with harder choices (such as products we like which are packaged in non-recyclable plastics).

posted 2 years, 9 months ago
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