Do your part people!
So, for those of you who don’t know, I try my best to be eco-responsible. I recycle, buy and support organic, local and free range produce, etc. I’ve switched all my bulbs over to compact fluorescents. I stopped using all those AirWick plug in things that constantly drain electricity and put chemicals in the air. I do my best to only buy cleaning products that I feel are concentrated and/or more natural. (I’m also a strict vegetarian, but I don’t know if that really applies to this topic so I’m not dwelling on it) I don’t buy bottled water and instead re-fill/re-use a thermos. I gave away all my tupperware and switched to corningware - it’s more durable and lasts longer. I purchased cloths to clean with instead of papertowels. I use dishes and not paper plates. I converted all my bills over to paperless statements. While it seems like I’m doing a whole lot here, it’s really not that much and I wish more people would see that spending $1 more or taking 5 extra minutes to make a better decision really does help make a difference.
Actually, I think most people do this so that the planet is a good place for their kids - I don’t have kids - so I don’t know why I’ve picked this cause... but I have.
For me, it seems most things boil down to waste and laziness. EVERYTHING is disposable now and it makes me SO sad. Seriously, you can’t own and wash a cutting board?? You would just use a cutting board (piece of plastic) and then throw it away? I just seem to come across A LOT of waste and excess and it’s disheartening the lack of energy people will dedicate to a worthwhile cause.
My biggest pet peeve is using plastic and paper bags at the store. And not just the grocery store, but ANY STORE! I have not been to a store that doesn’t sell their own version of a reusable bag. Target, TJ Maxx, Vons, and even Hollywood video offer canvas bags - yet there clearly needs to be some sort of orientation done down at the cashier/checker/bagger union. I’ve never had more blank stares in my life. Most times I have to physically INTERVENE and sometimes I even have to bag my own stuff ☹
Here are some simple rules:
1) It’s canvas - it’s washable - do not wrap all of my items individually in plastic to protect my canvas bag
2) Do your job and PACK it properly. Do not just haphazardly shove a bunch of shit in there so it’s half filled up and then put the rest into plastic bags. Use your tetris skills - work it out.
3) Have some sort of self awareness that I’m doing this to AVOID using paper or plastic. How do you always find a way to put something in a plastic bag?
Yeah, that’s it, just 3. It’s a GIANT pet peeve of mine.
What I most recently started using are these:
I gather a great sense of accomplishment from leaving the store and being 100% eco-friendly.
My favorite bags are these:
Cheap, affordable, stylish, compact... You can’t get better than that.
I know most of you either care or don’t care already so this won’t change your mind, but I secretly hope it does. There is no reason our household should need to take the trash out every day. With a little bit of effort we take it out about once a week and we only put our bins out every other week. Even if you don’t change, just pay attention every time you throw something away. It may surprise you.
3 comments:
I, and the planet, heart you ;0) You are so right girlfriend.
Like you, I'm a vegetarian and a big proponent of the 3 R's. When I forget my canvas bags, I load the food directly into the cart, then into the car, then out of the car and into my kitchen with no bags, just so I'm sure I'll remember the bags the next time. Yes, crazy, but I heart Earth.
Also, if you're not sure how being vegetarian is eco-responsible, google "100 reasons why I'm a Vegetarian" and you'll learn more about how your diet affects the environment.
Silvergirl: Oh, I know about being veg - I just said it didn't apply here because I don't think it's right to ask others to quit eating meat.
I CAN ask everyone to carry a canvas bag though :)
If anyone wants me to preach about ALL the personal, health, economic, and environmental reasons why they should go veg - email me! I'm ready :D
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