Yesterday, I attended a monthly meeting called The Baltimore Green Forum which is a monthly environmental and discussion forum held usually on the last Sunday of each month at Maryland Presbyterian Church, an eco conscious house of worship. A few of the many EASY things they do is collect the paper church bulletins after the service for recycling and have mugs available for their coffee service. They have also made sure to use native plants for their landscaping. This church understands that we need to do all we can to preserve God's creation and the smallest of efforts add up.
On a related note, while I was visiting my parents the weekend before, I went to my old church. Since I was a child, it has been my church's tradition to have a coffee hour immediately after the service. It once featured coffee, tea and lots of desserts, so I was happy so see that they have added some cheese and wheat crackers to the menu. However, it bummed me out that the hot beverages were still served in polystyrene cups. It was no surprise to me that the church uses them since the Dart Container factory, maker of foam cups, is a mere 2 miles away from the church.
I realize the church might not be able to afford the ecotainer, so I suggested to my dad that at the very least, they choose paper instead. He said, "Some people complained that the paper cups didn't insulate the coffee and was too hot to hold." Then use ceramic coffee cups, place them in the dishwasher at the end of the coffee hour and they'll be clean in time for next week! He said, "That sounds like a lot of effort." Being green sometimes takes a little bit of effort, but it's going to be a heck of lot more effort to find a home for all the polystyrene cups that won't biodegrade, pile up in our landfills and leave a not-too-desirable Earth for the generations that come after us.
We are a society of convenience. It is too inconvenient to hold a coffee cup that is a little warm. It is too inconvenient to throw some mugs (less than 50?) into a dishwasher and delay your arrival at home by 20 minutes. What will the generations that come after us think of us? I'd prefer to be known as the generation that turned things around, not the one that made things worse.
Showing posts with label environmental. Show all posts
Showing posts with label environmental. Show all posts
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monday, December 29, 2008
Takeout Food for the Office and Facts on Holiday Waste
As a vegetarian and a locovore (someone who tries to buy local), I try to make as many meals at home as possible. However, last Monday when I was out shopping, I stopped by the local PF Chang's for some takeout before I journeyed back to the office because I was low on food in the office fridge.
Normally, when I do any kind of shopping, I BMOB bring my own bag. The one exception has been when I get takeout. I keep making a mental note to BMOB, but have continued to fail on this front. Also, I just read an article about a green office that leaves those little tiny sacs which are the size of a small ball at the front desk for employees to use when they get takeout. Well, I couldn't be outdone, so I've made it my mission to begin this practice and I began on Monday!
When the take out guy waited on me, I sweetly asked, "Do you mind putting my order in this bag?" He didn't blink an eye. Whew! Let's hope behind that pleasant smile, he wasn't thinking I was a crazy environmentalist. I also asked him to not worry about the plasticware and some of the condiments. When he brought my order in my own bag - in my own bag - I was ecstatic and handed him a tip. I didn't look in the bag until I got in the car. Big mistake. It contained not only chopsticks, but plasticware and TWO sets of condiments. Argh! Did he do this to irritate me or was he on automatic pilot when he was loading my food into the bag? I'll never know. I emailed PF Chang's headquarters to tell them about my experience (I was nice about the quick service and the ability to use my own bag), but chastised them for all the waste with the condiments. Think of all the energy that goes into making those chopsticks, the plastic ware, the condiments and the containers they come in. Think of how many get thrown away without being used. Think of all those products in the landfill. Think of all that money wasted. I hope they change their ways...
Green Tip:
Facts on Holiday Waste
Below are some facts on holiday waste that I received from Eva at Earth Alley, a Baltimore gift shop that provides Earth friendly, fair-trade, locally-sourced gifts.
From Thanksgiving to New Years Day, household waste increases at least 25%, an additional 1 million tons a week. U.S.'s annual trash from gift-wrap and shopping bags totals 4 million tons.
Christmas Trees
50 million Christmas trees are purchased in the U.S., about 30 million go to the landfill.
Food
28 billion pounds of edible food are wasted each year - over 100 pounds per person. One less cookie on Santa's plate will reduce his snacking by about 2 million pounds.
Transportation
If each family reduced holiday gasoline consumption by one gallon (about twenty miles), we'd reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one million tons.
Cards
1.9 billion Christmas cards at this time, the amount of cards sold during the holiday season would fill a football field 10 stories high, and requires the harvesting of nearly 300,000 trees.
Ribbons
38,000 miles of ribbon is thrown out each year, enough to circle the Earth which is 25,000 miles.
Paper
Half of the paper America consumes is used to wrap and decorate consumer products.
(Sources: EPA; Use Less Stuff, 1998; www.recycleworks.org; Cygnus Group; Recycler's Handbook, 1990; Environmental News Network)
Normally, when I do any kind of shopping, I BMOB bring my own bag. The one exception has been when I get takeout. I keep making a mental note to BMOB, but have continued to fail on this front. Also, I just read an article about a green office that leaves those little tiny sacs which are the size of a small ball at the front desk for employees to use when they get takeout. Well, I couldn't be outdone, so I've made it my mission to begin this practice and I began on Monday!
When the take out guy waited on me, I sweetly asked, "Do you mind putting my order in this bag?" He didn't blink an eye. Whew! Let's hope behind that pleasant smile, he wasn't thinking I was a crazy environmentalist. I also asked him to not worry about the plasticware and some of the condiments. When he brought my order in my own bag - in my own bag - I was ecstatic and handed him a tip. I didn't look in the bag until I got in the car. Big mistake. It contained not only chopsticks, but plasticware and TWO sets of condiments. Argh! Did he do this to irritate me or was he on automatic pilot when he was loading my food into the bag? I'll never know. I emailed PF Chang's headquarters to tell them about my experience (I was nice about the quick service and the ability to use my own bag), but chastised them for all the waste with the condiments. Think of all the energy that goes into making those chopsticks, the plastic ware, the condiments and the containers they come in. Think of how many get thrown away without being used. Think of all those products in the landfill. Think of all that money wasted. I hope they change their ways...
Green Tip:
Facts on Holiday Waste
Below are some facts on holiday waste that I received from Eva at Earth Alley, a Baltimore gift shop that provides Earth friendly, fair-trade, locally-sourced gifts.
From Thanksgiving to New Years Day, household waste increases at least 25%, an additional 1 million tons a week. U.S.'s annual trash from gift-wrap and shopping bags totals 4 million tons.
Christmas Trees
50 million Christmas trees are purchased in the U.S., about 30 million go to the landfill.
Food
28 billion pounds of edible food are wasted each year - over 100 pounds per person. One less cookie on Santa's plate will reduce his snacking by about 2 million pounds.
Transportation
If each family reduced holiday gasoline consumption by one gallon (about twenty miles), we'd reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one million tons.
Cards
1.9 billion Christmas cards at this time, the amount of cards sold during the holiday season would fill a football field 10 stories high, and requires the harvesting of nearly 300,000 trees.
Ribbons
38,000 miles of ribbon is thrown out each year, enough to circle the Earth which is 25,000 miles.
Paper
Half of the paper America consumes is used to wrap and decorate consumer products.
(Sources: EPA; Use Less Stuff, 1998; www.recycleworks.org; Cygnus Group; Recycler's Handbook, 1990; Environmental News Network)
Monday, August 11, 2008
Why Your Event Staff Should Wear Organic Cotton T-Shirts vs. Conventional Cotton
Not only does organic cotton feel good on your skin, but it is much better for the environment. Organic cotton has the same fiber strength, length and other properties as conventional cotton, but farming it actually improves the overall quality of the land.
The conventional cotton growing method involves seeds that are usually treated with fungicides and insecticides and soil that is treated with synthetic fertilizers and herbicides, insecticides and pesticides (five are probable carcinogens). The industry frequently uses aerial spraying which can endanger wildlife, communities and farm workers due to potential drift. Chemicals are used in the defoliation process.
On the contrary, the organic cotton farming method uses untreated seeds and never uses GMO (genetically modified organism) seeds which are used for approximately 70% of US-grown cotton. Instead of fertilizers, soil is made strong through crop rotation and weeds are physically removed and controlled through cultivation and hand hoeing. Healthy soil maintains a balance between pests and their predators and the organic method uses the seasonal freeze for defoliation. (Source: www.aboutorganicotton.org)
According to the Sustainable Cotton Project, it takes one-third of a pound of pesticides to produce one t-shirt. Grist.org says, "In 2000, 84 million pounds of pesticides were sprayed on the 14.4 million acres of conventional cotton grown in the U.S. (an average of 5.8 pounds of pesticides per acre), according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture -- and the EPA considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on U.S. cotton crops to be "possible," "likely," "probable," or "known" human carcinogens."
Do you and your event staff want to wear all those pesticides and support and industry that uses all those carcinogens?
It may cost an extra dollar or two per t-shirt, but the ethical choice is organic cotton.
Green Tip:
Organic Cotton T-shirts vs. Conventional Cotton
Choose organic cotton over conventional cotton when ordering t-shirts for your event staff (or to sell to attendees!). Organic cotton is free of pesticides, herbicides (and all those other "ides") many of which have been found to cause cancer. Furthermore, the organic cotton farming method is much easier on the Earth. It may cost a teense more (the latest quote I received was $7.08 for a conventional cotton t-shirts vs. $8.97 for an organic cotton t-shirt. I choose my health and the health of the Earth over a few extra pennies spent.
The conventional cotton growing method involves seeds that are usually treated with fungicides and insecticides and soil that is treated with synthetic fertilizers and herbicides, insecticides and pesticides (five are probable carcinogens). The industry frequently uses aerial spraying which can endanger wildlife, communities and farm workers due to potential drift. Chemicals are used in the defoliation process.
On the contrary, the organic cotton farming method uses untreated seeds and never uses GMO (genetically modified organism) seeds which are used for approximately 70% of US-grown cotton. Instead of fertilizers, soil is made strong through crop rotation and weeds are physically removed and controlled through cultivation and hand hoeing. Healthy soil maintains a balance between pests and their predators and the organic method uses the seasonal freeze for defoliation. (Source: www.aboutorganicotton.org)
According to the Sustainable Cotton Project, it takes one-third of a pound of pesticides to produce one t-shirt. Grist.org says, "In 2000, 84 million pounds of pesticides were sprayed on the 14.4 million acres of conventional cotton grown in the U.S. (an average of 5.8 pounds of pesticides per acre), according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture -- and the EPA considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on U.S. cotton crops to be "possible," "likely," "probable," or "known" human carcinogens."
Do you and your event staff want to wear all those pesticides and support and industry that uses all those carcinogens?
It may cost an extra dollar or two per t-shirt, but the ethical choice is organic cotton.
Green Tip:
Organic Cotton T-shirts vs. Conventional Cotton
Choose organic cotton over conventional cotton when ordering t-shirts for your event staff (or to sell to attendees!). Organic cotton is free of pesticides, herbicides (and all those other "ides") many of which have been found to cause cancer. Furthermore, the organic cotton farming method is much easier on the Earth. It may cost a teense more (the latest quote I received was $7.08 for a conventional cotton t-shirts vs. $8.97 for an organic cotton t-shirt. I choose my health and the health of the Earth over a few extra pennies spent.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Beer and Locally Brewed Beer
What do you know about the company that brews your beer? According to The Better World Shopping Guide, New Belgium and Sierra Nevada get grades of A. New Belgium is a 100% wind powered brewery that conserves 50% more water vs. the average brewery. It is an employee-owned business and has given $1.6 million to the local community.
On the contrary, Miller, which is part of Altria (Philip Morris), the #2 worst company on Earth, is currently the target of two major boycotts and has spent over $100 million on lobbyists. It is also on Multinational Monitor's Worst Corporation List for 5 years.
Green Tip:
Locally Brewed Beer
When purchasing your beverages this Memorial Day Weekend, support your local micro brewery. Now only will you be buying local and supporting your local community, but also, since the beer has less of a distance to travel, there are also reduced carbon emissions.
It's easy to find a local brewery near you. Just go to http://www.brewpubzone.com.
On the contrary, Miller, which is part of Altria (Philip Morris), the #2 worst company on Earth, is currently the target of two major boycotts and has spent over $100 million on lobbyists. It is also on Multinational Monitor's Worst Corporation List for 5 years.
Green Tip:
Locally Brewed Beer
When purchasing your beverages this Memorial Day Weekend, support your local micro brewery. Now only will you be buying local and supporting your local community, but also, since the beer has less of a distance to travel, there are also reduced carbon emissions.
It's easy to find a local brewery near you. Just go to http://www.brewpubzone.com.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Environmentally Friendly Hotels
I've been doing a lot of traveling and staying at hotels lately. When I wrote my last blog entry, I had just returned from the ISES (International Special Events Society) Northeast Regional Education Conference in Providence, Rhode Island where I was a speaker. My topic was Green Events: A Standard, Not a Trend. I'm just trying to do my part about spreading the gospel of green and received lots of positive feedback. The movement is picking up momentum! Halleluiah! Praise the Lord!
Since then, I've traveled to Silver Thorne, Colorado, Dover, Delaware and New Orleans, Louisiana and I've experienced how different hotels are either diving in or merely dipping their toes into the green movement. Two properties featured compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs) in their sleeping rooms, but one – a nice hotel -- had plastic cups instead of glass. Talk about a contradiction!
One of the properties was where I was producing a conference. It had a re-use your bed linen and towel program. Unfortunately, the housekeeping staff didn't seem to be towing the party line. For bed linens, I had to place a sign on my bed if I DIDN'T want my sheets changed. Wouldn't the more eco friendly alternative be to place the sign if I DID want my sheets changed? I surely don't need new sheets each day and since I'm usually in a hurry, remembering to place the sign on my bed to prevent the house keeping staff from removing my sheets can be a lot to ask! At home, I wash my sheets weekly (and on some occasions, less frequently depending on how chaotic my life is!).
The game plan for towels was that IF you wanted to reuse your towel, you should hang it on the rack. Others left in a heap on the floor would be changed. I dutifully hung up my towels, but they still took them away. The next day, I left a note indicating that I wanted to participate in the re-use your towel program. The morning housekeeper honored this request, but the staffer who handled the turn down service later that night didn't get the memo and took my towel away. I mentioned this to the sales director and she promised to speak with the house keeping staff.
From now on, I'm making a pledge to only stay at eco friendly hotels. And if I'm forced to stay at a semi-green or non-green hotel, I'll write a letter encouraging them to hop on the green band wagon.
Green Tip:
Environmentally Friendly Hotels
To locate an environmentally friendly hotel, go to www.environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com or www.greenhotels.com.
Since then, I've traveled to Silver Thorne, Colorado, Dover, Delaware and New Orleans, Louisiana and I've experienced how different hotels are either diving in or merely dipping their toes into the green movement. Two properties featured compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs) in their sleeping rooms, but one – a nice hotel -- had plastic cups instead of glass. Talk about a contradiction!
One of the properties was where I was producing a conference. It had a re-use your bed linen and towel program. Unfortunately, the housekeeping staff didn't seem to be towing the party line. For bed linens, I had to place a sign on my bed if I DIDN'T want my sheets changed. Wouldn't the more eco friendly alternative be to place the sign if I DID want my sheets changed? I surely don't need new sheets each day and since I'm usually in a hurry, remembering to place the sign on my bed to prevent the house keeping staff from removing my sheets can be a lot to ask! At home, I wash my sheets weekly (and on some occasions, less frequently depending on how chaotic my life is!).
The game plan for towels was that IF you wanted to reuse your towel, you should hang it on the rack. Others left in a heap on the floor would be changed. I dutifully hung up my towels, but they still took them away. The next day, I left a note indicating that I wanted to participate in the re-use your towel program. The morning housekeeper honored this request, but the staffer who handled the turn down service later that night didn't get the memo and took my towel away. I mentioned this to the sales director and she promised to speak with the house keeping staff.
From now on, I'm making a pledge to only stay at eco friendly hotels. And if I'm forced to stay at a semi-green or non-green hotel, I'll write a letter encouraging them to hop on the green band wagon.
Green Tip:
Environmentally Friendly Hotels
To locate an environmentally friendly hotel, go to www.environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com or www.greenhotels.com.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Stylish Bags Good for the Environment and Thoughts on Shopping Bags
I've stopped using or accepting bags when I go shopping. I bring my own canvas bags (I have about a dozen from conferences and other sources) which I store in my trunk. At first, I started out just using them at the grocery store, then I realized I needed to use them EVERYWHERE - the drug store, office supply store, clothing store and even restaurants.
The other night, I went to one of my favorite fast food places - Chipotle. I was getting a burrito for take out. All I need is the burrito - no condiments, no plastic ware (heaven forbid!) so lately I've been telling the cashier, "Don't worry about a bag." I usually get a funny look.
My fellow event producer friend Dave just told me that when he brings his canvas bag to the office supply store, the cashier thinks he is BUYING the bag. He has to explain that the bag is his. When I was at the drugstore the other day, I told the cashier before the purchase was over, "Don't worry about a bag. I'll just put it in here." as I pointed to my large, durable bag made of recycled plastic bags (go to www.jadeplanet.net). She heard me. She understood. But when the transaction was complete, her automatic reaction was to put the merchandise in a plastic bag. I understood. But I didn't use her bag.
I hope that soon, it will be automatic to ask a customer for THEIR bag and that those who DON'T have their own bag get a funny look.
Green Tip:
Stylish Bags Good for the Environment
CarrotSeed offers a line of reusable shopping bags, including Happy Bags which are made from the end-runs of mill lines. They are durable and fashionable (check them out online!) and come in nearly two dozen styles that are constantly being updated.
Bags can be customized for retailers or conferences, trade shows and retreats.
The other night, I went to one of my favorite fast food places - Chipotle. I was getting a burrito for take out. All I need is the burrito - no condiments, no plastic ware (heaven forbid!) so lately I've been telling the cashier, "Don't worry about a bag." I usually get a funny look.
My fellow event producer friend Dave just told me that when he brings his canvas bag to the office supply store, the cashier thinks he is BUYING the bag. He has to explain that the bag is his. When I was at the drugstore the other day, I told the cashier before the purchase was over, "Don't worry about a bag. I'll just put it in here." as I pointed to my large, durable bag made of recycled plastic bags (go to www.jadeplanet.net). She heard me. She understood. But when the transaction was complete, her automatic reaction was to put the merchandise in a plastic bag. I understood. But I didn't use her bag.
I hope that soon, it will be automatic to ask a customer for THEIR bag and that those who DON'T have their own bag get a funny look.
Green Tip:
Stylish Bags Good for the Environment
CarrotSeed offers a line of reusable shopping bags, including Happy Bags which are made from the end-runs of mill lines. They are durable and fashionable (check them out online!) and come in nearly two dozen styles that are constantly being updated.
Bags can be customized for retailers or conferences, trade shows and retreats.
Monday, February 25, 2008
E-cycling My Old Computer and Electronics Recycling
I finally e-cycled my old computer and monitor. It was so easy. When my newest computer was shipped, the people at Dell included an e-cycle kit that included several packing slips with pre printed labels and straight forward information about how to pack up my old computer. All I had to do (okay, all my assistant had to do) was pack it up and then go online to arrange a pick up time with DHL. Dell paid for the shipping.
Luckily, I held on to my old computer boxes and their Styrofoam cushioning (my mother taught me well), but I could have used any box including the box from my new computer (which I also still have!).
Green Tip:
Electronics Recycling
Don't even think about sending your electronics to the landfill -- e-cycle them! To find a sustainable and socially just electronics recycling center near you, visit e-Steward.
Luckily, I held on to my old computer boxes and their Styrofoam cushioning (my mother taught me well), but I could have used any box including the box from my new computer (which I also still have!).
Green Tip:
Electronics Recycling
Don't even think about sending your electronics to the landfill -- e-cycle them! To find a sustainable and socially just electronics recycling center near you, visit e-Steward.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Eco Friendly Name Badge Holders
Green Tip:
Eco Friendly Name Badge Holders
Eco Endure offers 2 eco friendly name badge holders in the very universal 3' x 4' size. One is made of PLA film which is compostable and is made from corn (an annually renewable resource, folks!) as opposed to petrochemicals.
Their other name badge holder is made from biodegradable polymer. What? I had to break that down, too. I hope by now you know what biodegradable means. Polymer is "numerous natural and synthetic compounds of usually high molecular weight consisting of up to millions of repeated linked units." I'm still a little confused, but as long as it is biodegradable, I'm happy.
Eco Friendly Name Badge Holders
Eco Endure offers 2 eco friendly name badge holders in the very universal 3' x 4' size. One is made of PLA film which is compostable and is made from corn (an annually renewable resource, folks!) as opposed to petrochemicals.
Their other name badge holder is made from biodegradable polymer. What? I had to break that down, too. I hope by now you know what biodegradable means. Polymer is "numerous natural and synthetic compounds of usually high molecular weight consisting of up to millions of repeated linked units." I'm still a little confused, but as long as it is biodegradable, I'm happy.
Monday, February 4, 2008
The Office and Eco Friendly 3-Ring Binders
I have to laugh when I talk to someone who says they are green because they recycle. While recycling is a very green practice and the heart of the movement, there is more to being green than recycling!
Look at your office products. Are they made of recycled materials? About 6 months ago, I started looking at EVERYTHING in my office to determine if I was using the most eco-friendly option available. I had some work to do.
I purchased a desk calendar made of recycled products and my year at-a-glance calendar is also made of recycled materials. I no longer purchase disposable pens and have opted for Cross pens (choose whatever brand you like) and just pitch the refills. And just today, my 3 ring binders made of corrugated cardboard (not plastic) just arrived. Next, instead of purchasing my ink from a well-known office supply store, I plan to purchase eco-friendly toner and ink cartridges instead.
When I moved my office, I was looking for eco-friendly furniture. Much of it was out of my budget, so I went to the local antique store and struck it rich when I found an elegant vintage desk and matching chair made of oak. And the price was a steal. No new trees cut down for me.
So think twice the next time you place that order at the office supply store. Ask yourself, "Is there a better option?"
Green Tip:
Eco Friendly 3-Ring Binders
Instead of using a 3-ring binder made of plastic materials, use one made of corrugated cardboard and is comprised of 35-38% recycled content. It's durable, recyclable and reusable.
Look at your office products. Are they made of recycled materials? About 6 months ago, I started looking at EVERYTHING in my office to determine if I was using the most eco-friendly option available. I had some work to do.
I purchased a desk calendar made of recycled products and my year at-a-glance calendar is also made of recycled materials. I no longer purchase disposable pens and have opted for Cross pens (choose whatever brand you like) and just pitch the refills. And just today, my 3 ring binders made of corrugated cardboard (not plastic) just arrived. Next, instead of purchasing my ink from a well-known office supply store, I plan to purchase eco-friendly toner and ink cartridges instead.
When I moved my office, I was looking for eco-friendly furniture. Much of it was out of my budget, so I went to the local antique store and struck it rich when I found an elegant vintage desk and matching chair made of oak. And the price was a steal. No new trees cut down for me.
So think twice the next time you place that order at the office supply store. Ask yourself, "Is there a better option?"
Green Tip:
Eco Friendly 3-Ring Binders
Instead of using a 3-ring binder made of plastic materials, use one made of corrugated cardboard and is comprised of 35-38% recycled content. It's durable, recyclable and reusable.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Eliminating All the Stuff and The Story of Stuff
I recently moved my office and as a result, I've been in purge mode. I went through papers and magazines that I had hoped to read one day and finally realized it probably won't happen. I set aside those of critical importance that I am determined to read (what happened to that resolution to read 1 hour each day?).
I recycled paper that can't be used again and for paper that was only printed on one side, I made a stack that is now sitting at my printer for internal print jobs. I recycled magazines that are a few years old knowing that I will never have 2.3 seconds to look at them again.
The paper was easy to reuse and recycle, but the biggest cause of heart burn were all the tchotchkes - "stuff" that I picked up a trade shows, or sent by vendors, or received at an event or used at an event I once produced.
Do we really need all this STUFF??? Pens and post it notes are helpful, but think about the energy used to produce and ship this stuff only to have it end up in the landfill - many times after only one use. We are running out of earth on Mother Earth to accommodate all this stuff! Did you know that 99% of stuff is trashed in 6 months?
What am I going to do with it? Those that are still usable will go to my friend's kids -- unexpected gifts from Aunt Lori. Whoopie! For those that are re-giftable, I'm going to look on the website earth911.org to see if I can find a way to recycle it. And if not, my heartburn will return as the stuff goes to the landfill.
Green Tip:
Watch The Story of Stuff
I strongly urge you to take 20 minutes during your lunch break (if you get one) and watch this fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. It is VERY interesting, fun and funny to watch! It exposes the connections between the huge number of environmental and social issues and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world.
I recycled paper that can't be used again and for paper that was only printed on one side, I made a stack that is now sitting at my printer for internal print jobs. I recycled magazines that are a few years old knowing that I will never have 2.3 seconds to look at them again.
The paper was easy to reuse and recycle, but the biggest cause of heart burn were all the tchotchkes - "stuff" that I picked up a trade shows, or sent by vendors, or received at an event or used at an event I once produced.
Do we really need all this STUFF??? Pens and post it notes are helpful, but think about the energy used to produce and ship this stuff only to have it end up in the landfill - many times after only one use. We are running out of earth on Mother Earth to accommodate all this stuff! Did you know that 99% of stuff is trashed in 6 months?
What am I going to do with it? Those that are still usable will go to my friend's kids -- unexpected gifts from Aunt Lori. Whoopie! For those that are re-giftable, I'm going to look on the website earth911.org to see if I can find a way to recycle it. And if not, my heartburn will return as the stuff goes to the landfill.
Green Tip:
Watch The Story of Stuff
I strongly urge you to take 20 minutes during your lunch break (if you get one) and watch this fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. It is VERY interesting, fun and funny to watch! It exposes the connections between the huge number of environmental and social issues and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world.
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