A Trashy Life

I'm 100% in favor of cutting down on the volume of trash we produce and government requirements to do so.

In Oakland, there are three types of trash cans at each house: a big one for recyclables, another biggy for green garbage (yard waste, food scraps including meat, etc.) which is ultimately composted by the city, and pretty small container for plain old trash. At first it was a bit of a pain separating trash into three different containers but now it's second nature.

A guy in LA (and another guy in Berkeley last year) takes things to the extreme.

From AFP...

Dave Chameides has spent almost an entire year living a life full of utter garbage, and hoping he can inspire other Americans to do the same.

The Los Angeles-based cameraman has lived in his comfortable Hollywood home without throwing away a single piece of trash, from wine bottles to chewing gum and pizza boxes.

Instead the 39-year-old Chameides -- nicknamed "Sustainable Dave" -- recycles his garbage or else stores it in his basement. He says he wants to show that it is possible to dramatically reduce his family's consumption habits.

And he can show astounding results. Rather than the 1,600 pounds of trash the average American family produces each year, Chameides, his wife and two daughters have amassed only 32 pounds over the last 12 months.

Here's a quick video of showing all the trash he saved over the past year...



If you want more of the trashy details check out Chameides blog by clicking here.