Bringing Home My Recyclables

I have a confession.  I bring home as many recyclable things as I can.  I pick up recycling around town and I bring it home from vacation when I can't find anywhere to recycle it.  And this is why:

When we were in Wyoming over the summer, there was this great public building with bathrooms and big bins for all types of recycling in pristine Jackson.  Chicago has recycling and solar powered compacting trash bins all over the city.  But our last two trips were harder.  Miami was difficult with the seemingly endless stream of plastic cups but Aruba was impossible!  

After several failed attempts to locate anywhere I could take plastic, glass, or paper for recycling, I finally made room in my backpack and come home with this:

We try to travel light by each taking a single travel backpack, so I wasn't able to bring home much of my nemesis, plastic, but I did manage to bring back and recycle all the paper we (somehow) accumulated.

You might be wondering why this is a confession.  It's not a secret that I recycle.  But bringing it home on an airplane?!  I know.  I know!  I have a problem.  I can't even bear to figure out if it's a net energy loss since I'm flying it home.  (My guess is that, yes, it is.  I told you I have a problem!)  It's just so disheartening watching the trash can fill.

Seriously, I can't stop.  I'd already put this in our car before we discovered that beach in the first picture.

Let me explain.  Not my own habits but the reason the beach looks like that.  Arubans are not going around throwing plastic on their beaches.  (Well, probably some are.)  No, that beach looks like that from people like us.  Trash that doesn't make it into a landfill, more often than not, ends up in the water somewhere.  And things that end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans end up on a beach or in an animal - including humans!  This book gives a wonderful explanation about the whole waste/water/gyre cycle.  I'm glad I read it before seeing this beach.

At least then I knew not to tut-tut the friendly people of Aruba.  That didn't do much for my growing "obsession" with picking up after others though...

Peace,

Stacey

Our "Scrap" Backsplash

We got a "new" backsplash behind our oven.

And the best part is that I salvaged it!  

I feel like I need to explain a little because "salvaged" might not exactly be the best way to describe it.  It's more like the idea of something being recycled out of "post-industrial waste" rather than "post-consumer waste." 

My dad has a factory that uses this galvanized sheet metal.  The sheet we used for our backsplash is cut from the scraps left over after the machine is fully assembled.  I guess it's best described as "salvaged post-industrial waste" then, right?

Whatever you want to call it, I'm happy because I saved this piece from being recycled or sold on craigslist, which is where I convinced him the rest need to go. 

We had planned on having a local sheet metal shop create the same look out of stainless steel.  That would have been a perfect match.  I would have been supporting a local business.  And it wouldn't have had that little dent in it near the bottom.  I realize all that but it wouldn't have had the same story.  (You know the story about my dad and the salvaged post-industrial waste!)  It also would have cost a lot more and wouldn't have had that cute little dent. 

So how do you classify this?  Salvaged?  Reclaimed?  Repurposed?  I kind of like my new phrase.  Salvaged post-industrial waste has a nice ring to it.  Plus, I kept something out of the recycling bin for a while and I used another person's trash to make my new treasure.

Peace,

Stacey

Recycle Those Batteries... when you can

I have a friend who dreads this time of the year.  It's not the shopping.  It's not all the yummy desserts.  It's not even the caroling.  It's the batteries that make her fret!  Last year she told me that she was actually losing sleep because she couldn't stop thinking about all the batteries (from ALL those plastic toys) that would eventually get chucked into a landfill or, worse yet, incinerated! 

I had kind of forgotten about her worrying until I witnessed a coworker toss dozens of batteries into the trash!  She just couldn't figure out why everyone else would "save" all the old ones.  When I told her we had a collection site for recycling in town, she said she had no idea that batteries should be recycled.  She sincerely looked concerned and asked what we could do with them.  Now that's a great question!

Apparently, it's getting harder and harder to recycle alkaline batteries because mercury has been regulated out of use in single-use alkaline batteries in the U.S. (thankfully!) and because there is no cost effective method to remove and therefore reuse the heavy metals contained within them.  With that being said, there are still places that will take them.  Look for a Big Green Box at places like Whole Foods, take them to a big box store, or check with your local municipality.

I recycled these used batteries from work at my local library

Rechargeable and button types do not fall under this15 year old regulation and should definitely still be recycled!

I guess my friend and I can both rest a little better... but only a little.  There are still all those other metals in them that one day (when they start to become scarcer) are going to be valued and they'll be tons of them sitting in landfill's all around the world.  In the U.S. alone 2.9 billion batteries are thown away each year.  And what about that acid that leaks out over time?  That can't be good...

Reducing our consumption of batteries is probably the biggest thing we could do.  Think before you buy.  (I know you're tired of listening to that toy drone on and on anyway!)

So there you go.  A truely little thing.  Recycle alkaline batteries when you can but try not to lose sleep over it when you can't.  

Where can you use fewer batteries in your life?

Peace,

Stacey

31 Days of Green Little Things: Cloth Napkins Aren't Just For Special Occasions

Wow!  It's Day 29 of my 31 Days of Green Little Things series.

Have you ever noticed how nice restaurants always use cloth napkins?  It just feels fancier, huh? There's just something about wiping my mouth on a disposable paper napkin that screams, "fast food, fast food, fast food!" to me.  I don't want meals at home to feel "fast" or rushed.  I want them to be relaxed and enjoyable.  Don't you?

Try using cloth napkins, it just feels better.  

And they work better, too.  One cloth napkin can stand up to the biggest, messiest meals.  Sticky, syrupy pancakes? Yep.  Drippy, melty ice cream?  You bet.  Barbecue?  What could be better than a red bandanna napkin?  (I mean, yes, of course.)  When was the last time you used just one napkin with these messy foods?  O.K., well maybe you're just a neat eater, but most of us end up with a bunch of balled up napkins on our plate!

Sure they will probably end up a little stained after awhile but that might just be the excuse I need to take up tie-dying or maybe something slightly less groovy but equally green like making dye from plants.  Who knows.  I could!

Obviously, there are green reasons to use cloth napkins rather than paper.  Trees are spared.  Cloth napkins are small and easily fit into any load going in the washing machine already so they don't create more loads.  They're usually available in like-new condition at estate sales and thrift shops since most people only use them at Thanksgiving anyway.  They're reusable.  You'll create less trash.  Most of the time we're able to reuse ours at least once before they go into the washing machine.

Like I said yesterday, when I hang my napkins to dry rather than tossing them into the dryer, they look nice and pressed... almost like a fancy restaurant. ;) Now I need to go learn how to make origami napkins.

Peace,

Stacey

To follow other "31 Days" journeys, check out The Nester.

I started a Facebook page for my blog.  "Like" it if you're so inclined. (Please.)

31 Days of Green Little Things: Be Straw Free Campaign

Welcome back to my 31 Days of Green Little Things!  This is where I discuss the little things I do to help the environment.

We’re living through a kitchen remodel right now so as you can probably guess we’ve been eating at restaurants much more frequently than usual.  One of the simplest things we try to do while eating out is to decline plastic straws.  This is harder than it sounds because servers are quick!  Here's the boy (Milo Cress) who inspired us to take a look at how often we (unnecessarily) use plastic straws.

What do you think? Could you be straw free?  Or maybe just a little less straw dependent?  It's a little thing but, boy, does it add up quickly... just ask Milo.

Peace,

Stacey

To follow other "31 Days" journeys, check out The Nester.  She's hosting this party. 

I started a Facebook page for my blog.  "Like" it if you're so inclined. (Please.)

31 Days of Green Little Things: Bring Your Own Bag

Welcome back to my 31 Days of Green Little Things!  This is where I discuss the little things I do to help the environment.

I know you’ve heard this one before so I’m not going to harp on why we need to bring our own bags.  I am going to offer some tips that have helped us remember to bring our reusable bags.

Gather up your bags.  We stuff all our grocery bags (including a cooler bag and a wine bottle bag) into one bag. Then put them in an obvious place so you will see them when you head to the store.  We keep ours near our grocery list.

Keep some bags in your trunk (or bike basket) for unplanned trips to any store. I have a friend who keeps a ChicoBag in her purse because it folds up so small and fits into its own storage bag. 

If you forget your bags in the car, ask the checker to put your purchases back into your cart.  I did this once and after having to bag my food in the parking lot, I never forget to bring my bags into the store anymore.  It was a great way to help me remember!

If you don't want to buy anything new, reuse the plastic ones from the store until you've exhausted your supply. These tend to fold up very small and can even fit in a pocket.
We did this for a long time before we invested in canvas ones.  

Another no cost solution is to make your own by repurposing something you already have.  Here’s a really simple way to make your own bag from a t-shirt.  One tip: use a small-ish t-shirt (no bigger than an adult size medium) because the first time I tried, I used one of Mr. Green Stuff's old shirts and it turned out to be an enormous bag!

Did you know that many stores including Target and Whole Foods give you 5-10 cents off when you bring your own bag?  Just another way that being green saves some green.

We reuse (other people's) plastic store bags for our kitchen trash.  Friends send stuff to our house in them.  People have given us unpotted plants in them.  Boy Scouts leave them on our porch. (Don't worry; we participate in their food drive.)  Caribbean grocery stores won't let you leave without forcing some on you.  And the couple times in the past 5 years when we've miraculously run out of them, our friends were more than happy to give us the ones pouring out of their kitchen cabinets.

And, remember that once it becomes a habit, it’s easy.  How often do you forget to bring your phone/purse/wallet/keys?  Bringing your bags will become a habit too.

If you have any tips for remembering your reusable bags, please share them in the comments or post them on Facebook.

Peace,

Stacey

To follow other "31 Days" journeys, check out The Nester.  She's hosting this party. 

I started a Facebook page for my blog.  "Like" it if you're so inclined. (Please.)

The Story of Stuff Video

Next time you need an eco-reminder, watch this video from storyofstuff.org:

I seem to come back to it over and over.  I hope it inspires you as much as it does me.

Peace,

Stacey

Walking for Trash??

I just finished reading A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson (no, not Bill McKibben that would make more sense on a "green" blog but really Bill Bryson - the funny one) and at one point he said, "93 percent of all trips outside the home, for whatever distance or whatever purpose, Americans now get in a car.  On average the total walking of an American these days - that's walking of all types: from car to office, from office to car, around the supermarket and shopping malls - adds up to 1.4 miles a week, barely 350 yards a day.  That's ridiculous."  Keep in mind that this book was published in 1998.  Have we gotten any better???  Really.  Have we?

I'm not going to get into how we should all be walking or riding our bikes when we go on any trip under 1 mile or 2 miles or 10 miles or whatever!  (I don't want to have to point a finger at myself, of course.)  This post is about a little thing that's much smaller than that.  Let me tell you what I did yesterday.

I took a walk.  A walk that wasn't for pleasure but to actually get some place.  Actually, I took two walks... but they were both so small that I can't in good conscience call them "walks" at all.  I walked 2 blocks - twice.  Honestly, I was just exploring my neighborhood.  Anyway, on the first walk I hung a right out of my driveway, walked two blocks to take a picture (you'll see that another day), and walked right back home.  I came home with these:

In the afternoon, I turned left out of my driveway.  I walked two blocks again, talked to some neighbors, and came straight home.  Other than crossing a side street, I never even left the sidewalk but I still came home with these:

Let me explain.  I didn't consume any of these things.  I didn't even walk far enough to get to a store.  I found them.  Then I brought them home and recycled them.  I do this.  It's one of my weird quirks.  I pick up other people's trash.  Someone has to do it, right?  Seriously, I think it's become a compulsion.  Last week I went passed a smashed up gatorade bottle without picking it up.  A block later, I turned my bike around so I could get it.  I couldn't get my brain to stop saying, "well, now, who is going to pick that up?"  Well, me, of course.  I was going to go pick it up.

I know what you're thinking.  And, no, I don't live in a trashy area.  I live in a nice, ("snooty" is too harsh, right?) quiet neighborhood in an upmarket (my thesaurus told me to use that instead of "snooty") kind of town.  People take pride in this town!  Yet, I still can't go for a walk or bike ride without coming home with trash.

Please, tell me you do this too.  Please.  Please...

Peace,

Stacey