It is hard to live in the northwest and not be aware of the environment.

When we moved into our 2nd home, my daughter was a baby, still consuming those disgusting disposable diapers by the dozen. I know, hide your pitchforks, I used disposable diapers. It was after all, only 2004, and there were not as many choices available as there are now.

So, when we signed up for garbage service at our new home, we scheduled to have 2 cans picked up per week, because of all of those disposable diapers.

Now, my daughter has been out of diapers for some time; like, for 3 years. Have I scaled back on our garbage pick-up? No. Why? Laziness.

It is true; I have been a diligent warrior on decreasing our trash to 1 can per week, while increasing the amount of recycling so that our huge green monster (as we so lovingly call our recycling bin) is packed to the brim. But I have yet to formally let the garbage company know, just in case I might have “extra” in the future.

Well, “extra” is not acceptable now. If I am going to be true to my word and incorporate greener ways of living into my family’s life, than doing it once in a while is not an option.

Watching the recycling bin burst at the seams doesn’t make the fact that we only put 1 can out okay. I need to reduce the amount of stuff going into the huge green monster as well. And what is the first thing I see when I look into the bin?

Water bottles.

With three active kids and the quest not to drink as much juice or soda, our water bottle consumption has hit an all time high. Drinking water is good; no doubt about it, but what we are drinking our water in is not so good.

Inside my “Tupperware” cupboard, way in the back behind all the Glad Ware and those dinosaur Ikea cups with the straws, live several containers suitable for holding water. Some of them are even cute, see:

Maybe if I could get into the habit of using these more, my recycling bin would not be so heavy on the nights when I have to wheel it out to the curb by myself. Maybe I wouldn’t have to bang on the wall to the bathroom and remind my kids to “save some water for the fish” every day. Maybe I would remember those re-usable bags I purchased to bring my groceries home in and not get the stink eye from other customers (who just so happened to remember their bags) when I forget them.

Change isn’t automatic. I can’t flip a switch and become a different person, a different wife, and a different mother overnight. But I can, with small changes along the way, be better to our environment.

I can make a difference and it all starts with the little things I do every single day.

I’ll begin by calling the garbage company tomorrow, officially turning our family into a 1 can per week household.

*Cross-posted at Third Time’s a Charm?

Carrie is a stay-at-home mother of three and wife to one busy firefighter. You can read more of her mothering meanderings at her personal blog, Third Time’s A Charm? Please send suggestions to carrieb[at]seattlemomblogs.com.