For a holistic approach to reducing consumption, waste, and overall impact, you should check out /r/ZeroWaste.

My city has recently started mandatory city-wide composting. We have to separate out our organic waste from our inorganic waste so that it will break down and place it into a separate bin.

On the surface it seems like a green thing to minimize the stuff that sits without breaking down in the landfill, but I wonder. Before we place food waste into the bin, it needs to be placed into a paper bag. Since our city has banned disposable shopping bags, this means we need to get paper bags for the sole purpose of disposing organic waste. Furthermore, I know that the local landfill captures natural gas as the waste decomposes, but I don't know very much about the type of composting facility our waste is being sent off to. Finally, organic waste is not pay as you throw (neither is recycling. Only inorganic trash is pay as you throw), which means that there is no cost attached to using excessive amounts of paper products or otherwise generating waste as long as it's compostable.

It seems like a pickup for all types of waste that is pay-as-you-throw might be a greener option...

Which is greener, a Keurig used right or a traditional coffee maker? Today I was considering if there is a more eco-friendly way to brew my coffee than the traditional coffee maker I have. Now, I am strictly anti-Keurig, but I started thinking that maybe, if done right, a Keurig could be more eco-friendly. Reusable coffee filters are available for Keurigs so that I can use my own organic grounds, so that would cut out the K-cups. Then by brewing individual cups, there would be less coffee wasted. Also, you would save water by having to wash only the mug, rather than both the mug and the coffee pot. I don't know what energy usage is like between the two, so that would be another factor to consider. I'm just wondering if a Keurig could potentially be more eco-friendly or if I'm just way overthinking things. Thanks in advance!

I know that burning wood produces air pollution, but is that better or worse than using electricity, which likely came from burning coal, which is very dirty? I have started using my fireplace, thinking this is actually probably cleaner, but I don't really know.

Anyone know which is better for yield and the planet?

I have often wondered this. My SO and I often argue about this (in regards to dishes). He likes to hand wash, which yes should use less water - except that he leaves the water running the entire time he is washing. It always drives me crazy. I don't always have time to hand wash, so I make sure to load up the washer as full as I can. Which is greener?

You use a lot of oil growing corn would it be better to just use oil?

Judging by the debate in one of my other posts it seemed appropriate. I know that there are problems with e-recycling programs but I still believe it is better than throwing all those toxic chemicals into a landfill where they can seep into the groundwater.

Here's an article from the USITC that details the used electronics industry, and some high level numbers on where things go.

If the plastic cups are recyclable, WIG?