SEATTLE - A family of four has moved from the farm to an urban Puget Sound community and is now plowing its way to zero waste.
When the Peterka family moved to Shoreline, they brought part of the farm with them. They ripped up the backyard lawn and planted a large garden.
They built a fenced chicken coop in one corner, and worm and compost bins in the other. Then they made some sacrifices.
"We stopped buying groceries that came in plastic, essentially which was a big deal, not an easy task," explained Brian Peterka.
The family trimmed its plastic waste-line by adding on the bulk. They buy most of their food in bulk then store it in jars. They buy their vegetables fresh and unwrapped and grow everything else in the garden.
The Peterkas have successfully re-created the perpetual farm cycle they enjoyed in the country.
Here's how it works: The leftover food goes into the chicken coop or worms bins. The chickens return the favor by providing the next meal, the worms produce nutritious soil to put in the garden, which produces the Peterkas' meals, and leftover stems and leaves that go to a compost bin where more soil is produced.
At the end of the week, the Peterkas have about a baggie full of garbage leftover. They only put out their bin once a month for the CleanScapes garbage trucks to pick up and then its only about half full.
"This is impressive," exclaimed CleanScapes President Chris Martin who toured the Peterkas' yard today.
Martin says because his company is small, small trash producers like the Peterkas, allow him to serve more neighborhoods with fewer trucks.
Cleanscapes is even hosting a contest to see which community can reduce the most waste.
Shoreline is taking part and has found a goal to shoot for in the Peterkas' backyard.
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