Sunday, May 22, 2011
American Beauty
We went grocery shopping today and refused to use any plastic bags. We even avoided the plastic bags for produce and bulk items, and we bought a lot of produce. Incidentally, I was surprised at how much cheaper it was to buy a lot of produce than it is to buy mostly pre-made/pre-packaged food. I expected it to be more expensive. I'm not really sure why. *shrug*
Back to the subject at hand!
Ceasing to use plastic bags could be the single easiest and most important thing that everyone can do to improve the world as a whole. About 1 million plastic bags are used every minute. Each of those bags can take 1000 years to degrade, and, even then, they break down into toxic pollutants. Where do these plastic bags go? Well, I don't know about you, but I've seen them in quite a few trees and on quite a few roadsides. Also, every square mile of ocean has 46,000 pieces of plastic floating in it. It actually outnumbers phytoplankton...The Pacific Ocean is home to what's known as the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch," which is an estimated 3 million ton mass of trash swirling in the ocean. So, that's fun...
AND, though recycling plastic bags is environmentally better than throwing them away or dropping them in the street, it's actually not economically profitable.
MOREOVER, they require a lot of nonrenewable resources, like petroleum, to produce and a lot of public money to clean-up. California spends about 25 million annually to send them to landfill and another 8.5 million collecting them from the streets. Think of how many teachers they could be paying instead.
SO, what's the solution? Reusable bags. They're inexpensive, and they actually carry more items per bag than plastic bags. Plastic bag companies claim they harbor bacteria, but this problem can be solved by throwing them in the washing machine on occasion like you would any other cloth product you own. Plus, a lot of stores give discounts for using them.
Mesh produce bags online
reusable bags that fit in your purse and are reasonably priced
A funny but serious lawsuit about plastic bags
Saturday, May 21, 2011
A Person's a Person
Today's 'g' thang was extremely simple but also extremely important. In my opinion anyway.
We went out to eat today, and I made it a point to talk with our waitress, learn her name, etc... In this way, I made sure to treat her like a human being. Often, I think that we ignore or inadvertently act superior to a significant portion of the people with whom we come in contact on a day-to-day basis. (e.g. waiters, maintenance men, walmart employees, postal workers, bank tellers, etc...) In truth, we are all equally deserving of respect and kindness. We need each other really because society requires people from all walks of life to function and, more than that, to be interesting/rich/vibrant. Everyone has a story to tell, and everyone's story matters.
The world is a better place when all people are treated like people and no one is treated like an object. :) Plus, friendliness rarely (if ever) has negative results.
How to be nice lol. I tried to find a good link for this post, but this was all I could find in 30 secs of looking.
We went out to eat today, and I made it a point to talk with our waitress, learn her name, etc... In this way, I made sure to treat her like a human being. Often, I think that we ignore or inadvertently act superior to a significant portion of the people with whom we come in contact on a day-to-day basis. (e.g. waiters, maintenance men, walmart employees, postal workers, bank tellers, etc...) In truth, we are all equally deserving of respect and kindness. We need each other really because society requires people from all walks of life to function and, more than that, to be interesting/rich/vibrant. Everyone has a story to tell, and everyone's story matters.
The world is a better place when all people are treated like people and no one is treated like an object. :) Plus, friendliness rarely (if ever) has negative results.
How to be nice lol. I tried to find a good link for this post, but this was all I could find in 30 secs of looking.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Alice in Paperland
I didn't make paper today, but I thought you might enjoy Paper Alice. Just be sure to wear dance clothes when you watch as the music is truly moving. Honestly though, I found this video on a whim, and it's actually pretty interesting. I had no idea paper was so easy to make, and I might try it sometime soon.
However, I did do something less interesting related to paper today. To begin, I want to say that the purpose of today's action is to demonstrate that each of us has the power to better the world through actions other than simply those available to us in our own homes. The key is to look around and find something that you feel capable of improving. I noticed that my place of business throws away a lot of paper, so, today, I acquired a red recycling bin and put it next to a commonly used employee trashcan. The bin is marked 'Paper Only,' and I asked my boss if I could put it there. At this point, since the company has no recycling program of its own, I'll have to be in charge of emptying the bin. But, I think it's worth it considering the average American uses 7 trees per year from paper, wood, etc... 7 trees might not sound like a lot, but 7 times each of the hundreds of millions of people living in the US is a lot. Moreover, I'd wager most businesses likely consume more trees than the average person, so creating a recycling program at work is a small action with great potential for measurable, positive, environmental impact.
It's worth knowing that 1 billion trees worth of paper are thrown away annually.
Recycling 1 ton of paper saves 17 trees. That's not to mention the nonrenewable resources preserved...
Disclaimer: This blog is not intended to only be about recycling. For tomorrow, I'll try to find something to do that is not recycling related.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Solving 1 and 2
For the last week, I have been actively trying to think of ways to surpass the barriers of recycling. If you read my post, "A Walk Across the Parking Lot," I listed 3 reasons why I think people don't recycle. In that post, I addressed the 3rd reason: Lack of awareness of recycling facilities. Today, I attempted to address reasons 1 and 2:
1) Trashcans are closer.
2) Recycling requires sorting.
The obvious solution to these problems would be a "trashcan" for recycling that sorts for you, can occupy any space normally occupied by a regular trashcan, and can be manufactured for as cheap as a regular trashcan. Unfortunately, I am not a wastebasket engineer.
So, here is the solution that I came up with for my own life:
Let me begin by saying that I live in an apartment and, therefore, do not have endless amounts of space or even a lot of space. However, after some clever maneuvering, Josh and I were able to clear out one of our floor level cabinets. In this cabinet, we put 2 small, white trashcans (each identical to the one we already have under the sink). One of these trashcans is now for plastic and the other is for paper. Glass we intend to keep in a box on the pantry floor. We've already been collecting glass for several weeks, and it's basically clean and completely odorless after we rinse it. Trash will still go under the sink.
It's not a perfect system yet, but it's a step in the right direction! "Approximately 88% of the energy is saved when plastic is made from plastic rather than from the raw materials..." AND, Recycling one ton of paper saves enough energy to power an average, U.S. home for 5 months! At least 70% of all trash is recyclable, so I'm working towards recycling 100% of recyclable materials. If I only had space to compost, then I could practically be trash free!
Reasons to recycle from EPA for those still on the fence.
A nearly exhaustive list of recyclable materials and guidelines. This website also has fun facts and many other helpful links!
Something I just learned about plastic: The numbers on the bottom of plastic bottles indicate their ability to be recycled. Number 1 and 2 are the best, but number 7 is basically non-recyclable.
1) Trashcans are closer.
2) Recycling requires sorting.
The obvious solution to these problems would be a "trashcan" for recycling that sorts for you, can occupy any space normally occupied by a regular trashcan, and can be manufactured for as cheap as a regular trashcan. Unfortunately, I am not a wastebasket engineer.
So, here is the solution that I came up with for my own life:
Let me begin by saying that I live in an apartment and, therefore, do not have endless amounts of space or even a lot of space. However, after some clever maneuvering, Josh and I were able to clear out one of our floor level cabinets. In this cabinet, we put 2 small, white trashcans (each identical to the one we already have under the sink). One of these trashcans is now for plastic and the other is for paper. Glass we intend to keep in a box on the pantry floor. We've already been collecting glass for several weeks, and it's basically clean and completely odorless after we rinse it. Trash will still go under the sink.
It's not a perfect system yet, but it's a step in the right direction! "Approximately 88% of the energy is saved when plastic is made from plastic rather than from the raw materials..." AND, Recycling one ton of paper saves enough energy to power an average, U.S. home for 5 months! At least 70% of all trash is recyclable, so I'm working towards recycling 100% of recyclable materials. If I only had space to compost, then I could practically be trash free!
Reasons to recycle from EPA for those still on the fence.
A nearly exhaustive list of recyclable materials and guidelines. This website also has fun facts and many other helpful links!
Something I just learned about plastic: The numbers on the bottom of plastic bottles indicate their ability to be recycled. Number 1 and 2 are the best, but number 7 is basically non-recyclable.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Yesterday and Today: The abbreviated uni-post!
*Drum Roll Please* And now, the moment you have all been waiting for: What did I do with my money after I removed it from the clutches of Bank of America???
You Guessed it! I joined a credit union!
Why a credit union? How is that different from your run-of-the mill bank? Unlike a bank, which operates in order to turn a profit for its shareholders, a credit union is a not-for-profit financial institute that is members-owned. Anyone who has an account is considered a member. This means that, to a credit union, I am a member-owner and not a customer. The goal of the credit union is not to increase the products I buy or sign up for; the goal is to improve my financial situation. To that end, credit unions offer the same services as standard banks. The difference is really the objective.
Also, when you open an account at a major bank, the bank uses your money for its own investments. The money heads to a corporate headquarters where it is used to benefit something so far removed from your life that you are likely to never see/feel its effects. On the other hand, a credit union endeavors to benefit the local economy and its members. Your money is invested in community projects and plays a key role in maintaining the vitality of your own community. For example, the credit union I joined sponsors a local stage company and runs a scholarship program for local students. In short, Credit unions operate for community and member improvement rather than for profit. So, your money is doing good even when you aren't using it. That's what I did today! And, it feels good!
YESTERDAY, we took a road trip home from visiting family (We got back late. Sorry I didn't post. :-/). To foster world betterment, we made it a point to be patrons of local businesses rather chains. Have you ever noticed that all towns seem the same as you travel down the highway? They all seem to be clusters of McDonalds, BP, Burger Kings, TA, and maybe a Walmart. Some sects have termed this phenomenon the "McDonaldization" of America. Mere decades ago, travelers automatically helped local economies merely because travelers needed to eat and had no choice save to find a locally owned diner or drugstore. Unfortunately, the interstates moved in after the mom&pop establishments, and chains put themselves on the interstates. In this way, McDonald's, Burger King, Arby's, Taco Bell, etc...have been able to claim prime business locations and snag the patronage that travelers used to take to small, local businesses. More than that, these places also take local patrons from local business. This is why we see local businesses slowly closing their doors and small towns morphing into clones of each other.
Why is this a problem?
True, chains have their place in our world. Sometimes you just need a 30sec hamburger. However, as with major banks, chains shuffle money out of local economies and into the hands of distant corporations and shareholders. Local businesses,on the other hand, maintain the vitality, viability, and uniqueness of communities and, in turn, of the country. Plus, when you buy from a local business you can see and meet the people that your business is benefiting. You can cut out the middle man!
I'll admit that, occasionally, products are slightly more expensive than those of chains. However, the difference is usually not very noticeable. What's more, a deal for you tends to be a rip-off for someone else. "How?" you ask. I'll tell you in a different post. This one is getting too long, and I'm sure I'm about 2 sentences from losing your attention...if I haven't lost it already!
Let me leave you with 2 things to remember should you want to go to local businesses on a road trip:
1) Plan to eat before 9 pm. Most local businesses close early. We learned this the hard way when we stopped for dinner...
2) Start looking for a place to eat before you are famished because mom&pop's are harder to find than chains.
You Guessed it! I joined a credit union!
Why a credit union? How is that different from your run-of-the mill bank? Unlike a bank, which operates in order to turn a profit for its shareholders, a credit union is a not-for-profit financial institute that is members-owned. Anyone who has an account is considered a member. This means that, to a credit union, I am a member-owner and not a customer. The goal of the credit union is not to increase the products I buy or sign up for; the goal is to improve my financial situation. To that end, credit unions offer the same services as standard banks. The difference is really the objective.
Also, when you open an account at a major bank, the bank uses your money for its own investments. The money heads to a corporate headquarters where it is used to benefit something so far removed from your life that you are likely to never see/feel its effects. On the other hand, a credit union endeavors to benefit the local economy and its members. Your money is invested in community projects and plays a key role in maintaining the vitality of your own community. For example, the credit union I joined sponsors a local stage company and runs a scholarship program for local students. In short, Credit unions operate for community and member improvement rather than for profit. So, your money is doing good even when you aren't using it. That's what I did today! And, it feels good!
YESTERDAY, we took a road trip home from visiting family (We got back late. Sorry I didn't post. :-/). To foster world betterment, we made it a point to be patrons of local businesses rather chains. Have you ever noticed that all towns seem the same as you travel down the highway? They all seem to be clusters of McDonalds, BP, Burger Kings, TA, and maybe a Walmart. Some sects have termed this phenomenon the "McDonaldization" of America. Mere decades ago, travelers automatically helped local economies merely because travelers needed to eat and had no choice save to find a locally owned diner or drugstore. Unfortunately, the interstates moved in after the mom&pop establishments, and chains put themselves on the interstates. In this way, McDonald's, Burger King, Arby's, Taco Bell, etc...have been able to claim prime business locations and snag the patronage that travelers used to take to small, local businesses. More than that, these places also take local patrons from local business. This is why we see local businesses slowly closing their doors and small towns morphing into clones of each other.
Why is this a problem?
True, chains have their place in our world. Sometimes you just need a 30sec hamburger. However, as with major banks, chains shuffle money out of local economies and into the hands of distant corporations and shareholders. Local businesses,on the other hand, maintain the vitality, viability, and uniqueness of communities and, in turn, of the country. Plus, when you buy from a local business you can see and meet the people that your business is benefiting. You can cut out the middle man!
I'll admit that, occasionally, products are slightly more expensive than those of chains. However, the difference is usually not very noticeable. What's more, a deal for you tends to be a rip-off for someone else. "How?" you ask. I'll tell you in a different post. This one is getting too long, and I'm sure I'm about 2 sentences from losing your attention...if I haven't lost it already!
Let me leave you with 2 things to remember should you want to go to local businesses on a road trip:
1) Plan to eat before 9 pm. Most local businesses close early. We learned this the hard way when we stopped for dinner...
2) Start looking for a place to eat before you are famished because mom&pop's are harder to find than chains.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Bank of America Weeps
According to the Better World Shopping Guide, Bank of America is 20th on the list of the 20 worst companies. To formulate these rankings, the guide takes into account company records regarding Human Rights, The Environment, Animal Protection, Community Involvement, and Social Justice.
Bank of America is also number 3 on the list of top 10 Bailout companies and has been given a grade of 'F' on the list of banks in general. The 'F' grade is given to companies with the worst social and environmental records in the industry.
It's no secret that, in today's world, money really is power. This means that every dollar is some amount of power. It should also be noted that, when your money is in the bank, it does not simply sit in the bank waiting for you personally to spend it. The bank uses it for its own investments, projects, and gains. That's why it's important to make sure you actually support the things your bank supports. Today, I chose to exercise the power of my dollars (be it ever so meager) by closing my accounts at Bank of America.
It was kind of exciting to close my bank accounts. That is, it felt good to say, "I don't want to support the practices of this business. Therefore, I'm withdrawing my support from it." Although, I must admit that I didn't say those words explicitly. I had planned to say them. However, once in the bank and closing my accounts, I realized that the people working at the branch have almost nothing to do with the choices the company makes. They might even be Bank of America's biggest victims. It's impossible to know. But, I do know that they don't deserve any sort of righteous tongue-lashing. They deserve kindness and respect. So, I kept it simple and just closed my accounts without reason.
To be continued...
Join me later this week to find out where I choose to invest my powerful dollars instead!
Bank of America is also number 3 on the list of top 10 Bailout companies and has been given a grade of 'F' on the list of banks in general. The 'F' grade is given to companies with the worst social and environmental records in the industry.
It's no secret that, in today's world, money really is power. This means that every dollar is some amount of power. It should also be noted that, when your money is in the bank, it does not simply sit in the bank waiting for you personally to spend it. The bank uses it for its own investments, projects, and gains. That's why it's important to make sure you actually support the things your bank supports. Today, I chose to exercise the power of my dollars (be it ever so meager) by closing my accounts at Bank of America.
It was kind of exciting to close my bank accounts. That is, it felt good to say, "I don't want to support the practices of this business. Therefore, I'm withdrawing my support from it." Although, I must admit that I didn't say those words explicitly. I had planned to say them. However, once in the bank and closing my accounts, I realized that the people working at the branch have almost nothing to do with the choices the company makes. They might even be Bank of America's biggest victims. It's impossible to know. But, I do know that they don't deserve any sort of righteous tongue-lashing. They deserve kindness and respect. So, I kept it simple and just closed my accounts without reason.
To be continued...
Join me later this week to find out where I choose to invest my powerful dollars instead!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Graydon Springs Outdoor Legacy
In creating a better world, it's not simply important to do your part; it's also important to encourage and support others in their endeavors toward a better world. To that end, I nominated Graydon Springs Outdoor Legacy for a Green Grant tonight. A few days ago, I received an out-of-the blue facebook message encouraging me to continue my 66 day challenge. It really made a difference to me because it's difficult to continue any kind of project without support from those around you. Encouragement let's people know that their actions are making a difference in positive ways, and it often re-energizes them to continue. This is why it's important to let other "world-improvers" know that you believe in what they're doing.
Encouragement is the fuel that feeds world improvement so that it can continue.
The person who wrote a facebook message to encourage me is one of the founders of GSOL. Ironically, I unexpectedly met some of the organization's other board members through a friend of mine last night as well. GSOL believes in community and environmental well-being, which are 2 concepts that I believe are key to creating a better world. AND, the members are so passionate! I really hope they reach their goals!
Good Luck, Graydon Springs Outdoor Legacy!
Encouragement is the fuel that feeds world improvement so that it can continue.
The person who wrote a facebook message to encourage me is one of the founders of GSOL. Ironically, I unexpectedly met some of the organization's other board members through a friend of mine last night as well. GSOL believes in community and environmental well-being, which are 2 concepts that I believe are key to creating a better world. AND, the members are so passionate! I really hope they reach their goals!
Good Luck, Graydon Springs Outdoor Legacy!
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