What do you think?

So the media is hammering us with this whole "going green" agenda because the polar ice caps are melting which is leading to depleting resources and threatening the mass distinction of wild life. Some of us, like myself are thinking "blah, blah, blah." But the other day I got to thinking, no matter where you place yourself on the political spectrum there is no doubt that civilization today is the most wasteful and destructive to the environment this planet has ever known since the beginning of time.

Can you imagine what a dump planet earth would be if plastic was invented 4,000 years ago? There would be litter everywhere dating back to the stone age! Thankfully, everything our ancestors used was organic (meaning it came from the earth and returned to its natural state) and wasn't tainted with harsh chemicals. Pretty much the only lasting artifacts still in tact from ancient civilizations are either made of stone or some kind of metal.

It is projected that it would take at least 700 years for a plastic water bottle to completely disintegrate after being buried. I am not going to go into all the statistics of or nation's yearly amount of waste --you can find plenty of websites to tell you that. It wasn't until the last twenty years or so that our nation looked at our consuming habits and realized that we could recycle and reuse materials in order to reduce waste and conserve resources.

OK, I know you are probably thinking that I am a total hippie- I know my husband thinks I am even though I take daily showers and shave my armpits and legs, but I do think it is important for our society gradually stop being so wasteful.

Here are some small steps I am taking to recycle, reduce, and reuse:

1. I save all the plastic bags I get from grocery stores and recycle them.
Most major grocery stores have a box located at the entrance where you can return bags.
- eventually I want to get some sturdy reusable bags, but I don't feel like spending the money yet. I read an article the other day that said many of the reusable shopping bags stores are not selling are poor quality and will fall apart after a few trips to the grocery store.

2. I am going to start rinsing out all used plastic containers, and put them in a large garbage bag and recycle them.
-This includes: milk cartons, yogurt cups, plastic containers with lids, laundry detergent containers, shampoo bottles, -basically anything that is plastic.

3. I rarely purchase canned soda and if I do, I recycle the cans. -You can get $$$ for them too.

4. I always turn off all the lights when I leave the house. Its saves energy and $$$.

5. Recently I have gotten into refinishing old furniture. It is so rewarding to transform an outdated, piece of junk into a beautiful piece of art. Its fun, cost effective, and resourceful!


Its a small start but it gives me the piece of mind that I am at least doing my part.

I would like you read what you have to say about all this. If you have any other ideas of more ways to recycle please let me know!