So the other day when I was meeting with some of my close friends for lunch, we got into the discussion of green living. We talked about how a lot of times people see it as a liberal, cooky spiritual way of living, when in actuality it’s something we can all participate in order to take steps towards living a healthier life. I like the analogy that if a dog is smart enough to not want to live in its own poop, then why would we not care if we live in hazardous waste? Andrea showed us some pictures of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (estimated to be nearly twice the size of Texas) that really brought the message home:
Trash collecting at the gyre
A dead albatross filled with plastic bottle caps
The site is located within the North Pacific Gyre
I’m no expert, but from what I’ve read what has happened is due to the way our ocean currents move, there are hot spots where they all meet. In this case, tons and tons of trash have collected in this particular area. It made me realize what a huge issue our waste management really is. So for this week’s green living tip, I want to encourage us all to consider more what type of products we purchase, and how we dispose of them.
One easy and major way to help out is by recycling. Did you know if you collect all of your soda bottles and cans and take them to your local recycling center, you can actually make a good chunk of change? Here is a great site to look up where one is located near you.
Switch over from plastic water bottles to washable, reusable metal containers. This is much more cost effective than buying cases of water bottles, and if you take one to Starbucks, they give you 5-10 cents off your drink! Here are some really cutes ones Andrea showed us.
Finally, either purchase reusable shopping bags for you groceries, or if you must, switch to paper. This one is hard for me because I reuse my plastic bags for everything. I’m going to make a real effort to change though because plastic bags are one of the worst polluters for our environment.
Do you have any more easy, green tips? How do you manage your waste?
~Maria
Terry
2 years ago
Love the idea of the reusable metal containers, but have had a problem with a slight metallic taste when using it for water. Love the look of the Barnie’s water bottle, does it leave an aftertaste?
admin Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
I know exactly what you’re talking about. I’ll have to ask Andrea about the taste on Barnies, but one that you can look at that has no metal taste is the stainless steel Nissan Thermos. My dad uses this and loves it: http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___80734
Terry Reply:
January 20th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
thanks, I will check out the Nissan Thermos you suggested-thanks for the idea!
Sara
2 years ago
Plastics molecular bonds are so durable that it takes hundreds of years to disintegrate and pretty much evades any type of disposal. I’ve also worried about plastics effects on all of us – bisphenol A has been related to various thyroid problems, obesity, and several different types of cancers (breast cancer in particular). I wrote an essay several years back about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch – that’s some crazy stuff – and it’s really disgusting that it’s a result of many of our own actions
But I’m with you in that we can all make a difference.
I especially love Sigg water bottles (made from lightweight aluminum) – they are great and you can even design your own customer Sigg! http://mysigg.com/
admin Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Sometimes our pollution problems can seem so overwhelming, no solutions could possibly help! But one step at a time, right?
Hey check out this info on the Sigg brand:
“Aluminum water bottles, such as Sigg require a chemical resin in the lining to prevent corrosion that contains BPA. Sigg has been under fire for not disclosing this information to its customers while researching a new and improved bottle. Their eco-friendly branding has been tarnished and have lost partnerships such as Patagonia.”
From what I’ve read, stainless steel is the way to go. The Siggs are way too cute though!
Sara Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Oh man! You are definitely one step ahead of me there! I had no idea. That’s too bad. I used to work for a health club and the owner was obsessed with Sigg which got me into the brand originally. Oh well
Maybe I’ll have to try out that Nissan Stainless Thermos that you posted.
Darren
2 years ago
I got a whopping 5 dollars from all the cans and plastic bottles I saved up during the year. If I recall, you can get the most out of your recycled goods if you have quantities less than 50; they pay you by weight when you exceed the 50 mark.
admin Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
What my mom and I would do is take it in every time a garbage bag filled up with them. We’d get about $7 a bag! You my friend got jipped! Or else we just drink way too much soda…
Nichole Medrano
2 years ago
I think is it great to spread the word on what things like plastic can do to our planet. Just yesterday I realized I was using a #3 water bottle (that will now be recycled) and I usually always use my favorite stainless steele one from Starbucks that has no by-product of BPA’s. It can seem overwhelming but I think its important that we all take action with our own carbon footprint and by doing so we are then not adding to the problem but rather helping it disappear. To me every little effort we do on our own does help its not in vain. Love the info provided Maria!