Clean Wake - Trash Reduction

[Sailorman1249]

Hello all,

We are in South Carolina, getting ready to head South for a cruise of indefinite period. A life-long dream for both of us.

Among the things we are researching is ways to mitigate the production of trash. We've catalogued a few ideas. But we'd be very interested in any thoughts any of you have to contribute.

Thanks and best wishes,

[svHyLyte]

Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Remove all but essential packagings--particularly cardboard. Eliminate paper-towels in favor of easily cleaned wash-cloths. Obtain a CO2 soda syphon and soft-drink syrups to make soft-drinks on the spot and eliminate cans or bottles. Carry Gatoraid or other drink-mixes stored in reusable plastic cannisters to eliminate disposable bottles (which are a curse) etc, etc, etc.

[Waterway Guide]

Hi Will:
1. Have your tank water tasty at the tap...will reduce countless water bottles (not always easy to achieve)
2. Trash compactor. We have a neat contraption that an old cruiser gave us...I have never seen one in a store, but I guess you could use a piece of board cut to the correct size for the trash can and your foot!

Happy sailing!

Mike

[Sailorman1249]

Thanks Mike. I've considered constructing a compactor from a simple lever & reiinforced container. Curious what kind of contraption you mention. Can you tell me about it?
Best wishes

[Waterway Guide]

Hi Will:

It looks like a rectangular plastic kitchen trash can but the sides are straighter. The lid has a panel beneath, hinged to a plastic square "rod" that folds into the top of the lid that extends out as the "plunger." The lid is also hinged making it easy to toss trash. Very ingenious...someone out there should manufacture it if it's not being done somewhere. When I walk to the boat next, I'll take a pic and post it.

Mike

[Waterway Guide]

Will:

I searched on the internet and found this Welcome Aboard-NEW! Trash Compactor
It's very similar to the design of mine (which was made in the '70s, I think). I can't make a recommendation on it specifically, but mine works great. (I've never ordered from the site, either...but I'm sure others on this forum have).

Also, you may already know from the guidebooks that trash is often hard to get rid of in parts of the Caribbean...you may find this forum helpful in disposal strategies as well. In the Bahamas, we just had to get rid of our trash once and paid $2 a bag at a marina. That evening back on the boat at anchor, we had a nice surprise: They were burning all the trash...just upwind of us! We had to up anchor, it was so bad. Talk about "hoisted on his own petard!"

Happy Sailing
Mike

[forsailbyowner]

I can my own soups veggies sauces. Have storage area for +- 200 jars. after use simply rinse with saltwater and pack back in the empty slot .lids are reusable so they get stored in canner.

[Amapola]

We have a trash can with a manual compactor for the galley. We also use a SodaStream carbonator for soft drinks with reusable bottles. We remove all nonessential packaging from items before boarding.

[Bash]

most of your trash comes from the galley, and much of this can be eliminated prior to leaving the dock. We have numerous containers to repackage material the moment it comes aboard. For example, I empty my box of Shredded Wheat into the cereal bin as soon as it comes aboard, and the boat can return to its box-free (and cardboard-free) state within the hour.

[Sailorman1249]

...In the Bahamas, we just had to get rid of our trash once and paid $2 a bag at a marina. That evening back on the boat at anchor, we had a nice surprise: They were burning all the trash...just upwind of us! We had to up anchor, it was so bad. Talk about "hoisted on his own petard!"

Happy Sailing
Mike...

Makes me wonder...does anyone burn their own trash? Aside from safety concern (fire on board--my worst nightmare), what other issues?
Fair winds
Will

[skipmac]

One way to minimize your trash by starting at the point of purchase. As much as possible buy products with less packaging. Bring your own bags or basket to the store to carry purchases home.

When you have to use plastic bags for food storage reuse them. Unless you are packing something oily or greasy a quick rinse and drain is usually sufficient to clean them for another use.

Purchase as much as possible in bulk and reuse the bags you fill.

Doing this at home typically we only take the trash can to the curb once a month or less.

[Auspicious]

In some places around the Bahamas cruisers get together and burn trash periodically on an island, much like the locals do.

I have no idea how legal it is but it does happen.