The way the protagonist of this little story uses it, she seems to mean trash, although it doesn't look like there is much stuff of other sorts in their house either. They are very close to a no-trash lifestyle, which probably means that they *can't* buy much other than food, because of packaging.
http://vitality.yahoo.com/video-second-act-the-johnson-family-24454760
http://vitality.yahoo.com/video-second-act-the-johnson-family-24454760