If you are familiar with Paoli, we have a growing-wonderful recycling center. Sometimes there is a lot of cardboard or plastic that is just waiting to be put to use. I get frustrated, because I think it is great to take something and give it a second life. But where is the demand for that second life. I am demanding it. When I buy anything made from a tree- I want it to be made from recycled paper or cardboard. I don’t want to support companies who are still cutting down trees to make their products. It is not even necessary. We have plenty to be re-used. And, until people stand up to these companies and tell them to change they will continue doing what-ever is easiest and cheapest for them. These companies are not totally oblivious to the demand- I mean the makers of Sun Chips have begun offering a compostable bag now- Fantastic!
One may argue that paper and cardboard are - degradable so what does it matter if they go to the landfill or not. And, it does matter. Things should not end up in a landfill until they have no more use to anyone. Plus, how are your paper and cardboard going to breakdown surrounded by those hefty plastic trash bags. Trust me its going to be there a while. And plastic is a whole deal in itself.
I hate plastic. Good plastic-bad plastic-safe, unsafe. I don’t even want to keep it straight- I just want to stay away. And I do for the most part. I know though- plastic is everywhere. I mean they use it to wrap my toaster pops, and hold sour cream, potato chips, grapes, shampoo-anything. It seems unstoppable. One of the first changes I made about three or four years ago was to stop buying bottled water. I remember taking my recyclables, and putting in all those plastic bottles, and I was like geeze it is great that I’m recycling these- But better yet what if they never got used to have to be recycled.
Now, I filter water and fill up my safe-to-reuse-containers. I have many so we just keep reusing them. Its cheaper and it makes you feel good. Especially when you are out and you see people holding their plastic water bottles- You can know that you are doing something better and can pull out your own sturdy water bottle, and trust me you will make them check themselves! I know with the demands of everyday life- it is hard to not find a plastic bottle in my hand from time to time. But I try and see that it gets recycled.
It is not only about reusing our trash- but about conserving. Conserving our environment, natural resources, energy and money! I don’t have all the answers, but it would be great if your family tried recycling. And I am sure your kids would get into it. And it would instill in them to be more conservative with their wastefulness today and as they grow into adults.
Reasons to Recycle:
Photo Credits to: standardsusers.org & http://girlfromthehills.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/recycle_reuse_reduce.jpg
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