Revisiting Plastics Recycling

Okay people, time for some clarification on the mission here. The ultimate goal of my recycling endeavor for plastics is reducing consumption. Period. Many of the plastics marked with the recycling logo are not regularly collected for recycling or are not recyclable. Even plastics that are recyclable do not always go into a "cycle" of constant renewal and reuse. They often go into materials like carpet, that is then not reused or recycled. Recycling instead of throwing out is a step in the right direction though. But the overall ojective is to reduce consumption by using reusing plastic containers, substituting glass or other materials when possible. We can use our imagination! This is where the fun comes in!
I'm continuing to research information on materials and recycling as I post here. I've added a couple more links with plastics and recycling information on the right.
I do not have any political affiliation or concerns here. I've read info on the Waste Management site and have links now from Berkeley and South Africa, and who knows where else information will come from. I really don't care. My concern is getting real information on plastics and other materials so we have clarity about what these materials do when we are finished using them. I am sure every information source has its own agenda, you, dear reader will have to use your discrimination while reviewing their sites.
So, today, one of the things on my To Do list is calling my favorite fast food Mexican place down the street to see if I can get take out in my own reusable container instead of their styrofoam ones. I'll let you know what they say!! :-)

Consciousness - At Last!

Yesterday was a breakthough day. Yesterday morning at work, after making myself some tea and adding honey to it, I started to reach for the plastic stir sticks by the coffee machine. And stopped! My hand just stopped midway there, without having to think about it! I remembered I had my metal utensils back at my desk. And walked right back over there to stir with that spoon. I am so happy! This was a good step!
I though about why this is such a big deal. How many times have I "started" a well intentioned new pattern of behavior, only to fall back into the old way of doing something. And other times I HAVE changed a pattern of behavior as desired for good. Without it being a struggle everyday to force myself into more desirable habits. 'Cause let's face it, anytime a new way of behaving is contrived, in whatever way, when it's not part of the natural flow of activity and our psyches, we revert back to the old way of doing things. Like all the people who make a New Year's resolution to workout regularly and eat better - because they should, not because they are ready to make that change. I empathize with them, I know from my own experience that I cannot make major changes in my habits until I am ready to make them part of my life. Like quitting smoking cigarettes. It took a few attempts before that change stuck but it has stuck for 22 years. Same with drinking, 17 years. So this felt like the internal shift happened and that making better choices about everyday consumption is starting to be internalized for me.
I will be writing more philosophical observations about changing everyday habits to reduce unneccessary material consumption in relation to our culture. There is a lot of psychology involved in why we make the choices we do and I believe most of our choices are made without much awareness of why we are making them. There is a link to the side of this blog for a video called "The Story of Stuff" made by Annie Leonard, that explains certain facets of our consumerism in a very articulate, well illustrated manner.

Backsliding

I hate to admit this, I've been backsliding. I got overwhelmed, I think. Please don't hate me, dear reader. Just the sheer volume of stuff and all the crazy packaging methods and materials. I'm just slipping on the insanity that happens every year around this date. It overtakes me and glazes over my mind.
However, I am back to the focus on the mission. Changing habits is time consuming! And it takes being conscious. Unlike the state I am in when I get out of work, frequently in a fluorescent light daze, just picking up what I need from the store. Then I get home and unwrap the ground beef or the package of pre-cut veggies - (even if they are packged by Whole Foods there's still more waste than if I bought veggies in what I now know are recyclable plastic bags) and I think "Darn! Did it again - bought this stufff without even thinking about the packaging.".... Well, that's why I gave myself a year to make this goal.
I did get the plastics arena nailed down. Turns out there is quite a bit that can be recycled easily right now and somethings that are not, like plastic spoons, forks and knives. Who would think? We all use so many of 'em! So I am now carrying around a little package with a knife, spoon and fork that I will rewash. In a little plastic bag, of course. JUST KIDDING! A cloth napkin will do. I am committed to avoiding the plastic silverware buckets at work!!
I just recently noticed a Target I was in had bins for recycling electronics and plastic bags, also. Nice! It was by the customer service desk. Sweeeeeet!

Sorting It All Out

I am starting to research what materials are recycled where and how. I found a great link with plastic recyclable info (posted for your viewing pleasure at the right) so at least I can start to get a clue what I can throw in the recycle bin right away. I mean, of course, some of this is a no brainer - certain plastic bottles we all know about. But some of this is more obscure when I start really looking at all the plastic that comes through my hands. Like the little hangars that panties and bras come on from the store. There's actually a triange and number on there that I need a magnifiying glass to see. Hhmmm. What does it say, what will it tell us?? I can't wait to find out! Some of this plastic stuff I am going to have to check around on, and the symbols. Like 3 PVC and 6 PS to start. I guess I'll get a list of accepted plastics from the dump over here, where I take my recycling. And then go from there. I'm shooting for the end of November to get a handle on plastics.
Oh, by the way, I discovered that the nonfunctioning track on the crouton zip bag, mentioned in an earlier posting, was just defective. The new ones work great, I've been washing them out and reusing them. Now that I really look at the packaging on food I see I can reuse alot of bags. It's such a good feeling to think I can reuse these instead of buying new ones. :-) Those of you already doing this are probably thinking, "Dah, lady." Sorry, I've just gotten into some bad habits, thinking I have to go buy zipping plastic bags.
In the meantime, the boxes continue to march along in line collecting plastics, fabrics (stilll have to figure that one out), electronics, paper, cans. And the "Organic Collection" container in the kitchen sink. Of course! Much to the delight of Miss Elle, kitty-cat extraordinaire who seems to think she is really going to have a chance to bust that open. No way! I'm feeling quite thankful for lids right now.
Anyway, friends, I am plugging away and will continue to keep you posted. And please, any of you with experience and knowledge to share, we want to hear from you!
Have a fabulous week!

There's Stuff All Over My Counters

You know how it is when you are doing a big cleaning and everything is a mess before it's cleaned up? Well, that's what my kitchen is like right now. Trying to get my daily habits reorganized. Yesterday I really wanted to get containers set up so things were sorted for recycling as I threw them in. So I just went on down to Target and got some of their oh so awesome plastic, petroleum based containers with all those cool colors that make you want to be SO organized!
JUST KIDDING! I actually went to my garage and shed and found some cardboard boxes to use for now. In the spirit of this whole lessening of unnecessary consumption thing.
You know, this is shifting my ideas about comfort and prosperity. I hate to admit it, but I have been feeling like when I do buy all this new shiny stuff that I am somehow confirming that I am part of my culture. That probably sounds like major insecurity run amok, if that's how I see myself fitting in, but maybe you know what I mean? The propaganda bombards us everyday. Even alot of the stuff promoted as "green" is new and shiny and hip, but really, recycling can be scuffed up and messy. And it's probably going to get smelly when I get that composting going.
Actually, I do have some organic collection going on the counter. Ha, that's what we'll call it, "Organic Collection"! For now I am using one of those plastic rectangular containers that salad greens come in for my Organic Collection. The lid is a bonus. Although I don't see a recycling triangle on there. Might have to go to the bulk greens and forego the plastic box. A friend, Joanna, suggested using recyclable milkcartons. Excellent idea, also, the recyclable container the take out food comes in from Whole Foods would work.
I did find a metal coffee filter online, made of titanium to avoid weird tastes. Since I haven't found a bicycle made of titanium in my price range yet, a coffee filter will have to do for now. :-) Sigh.

Day 2

Well, it's actually Day 3 now, but I had class last night and could not look at a computer screen one more minute.
So, here's the latest.
1) Yesterday I had an empty zip-topped foil crouton bag that I rinsed out and planned to use. But the little track doesn't hold. I had forgotten that I'd had to clip the bag. The track looks like it's lined up correctly, maybe the track isn't deep enough. There's a patent name for the track on there, and the crouton company contact info on there, so I'll give them a call and let them know. I am sure they will have operators standing by.
2) Next item, organic matter. My niece and her fiance in Northern California have already set an excellent example for me. They grow some of thier own produce and put all organic scraps into containers on their kitchen counter, instead of the trash or disposal, for composting. I can do that, but I have three big dogs that would LOVE to have a garbage pile in the back yard to root around in! There must be some way to rig up something so they can't get into it. Project for the weekend.
3) Third item, this will be easy. The coffee filters. Unbleached or not, they gotta go. On the shopping list is a metal coffe filter that can be washed out and reused. I don't know why I didn't do that before.
Since we're talking threes, I have three rules for this project. 1) No taking stuff to work to throw out. 2) No using the toilet for supplemental trash disposal. 3) Donating stuff to the thrift store doesn't count. When I get rid of things like say, old clothes, they have to go somewhere that will actually reuse the material somehow. Whether it's broken down for re-manufacturing or remade into another garment. I sense research and creative projects there. Fun!!
Happy Friday!

Mission

My mission is to become trash free within 1 year. This means that by November 3, 2011 everything left over from my personal consumption will be going into some kind of recycling.
I am nervous! This past week I really started becoming conscious about all the stuff that I throw into the trash can under my kitchen sink. It's so easy. To throw it away, I mean. I began to realize how much research I need to do to figure out where everything can go to avoid the landfill. I already collect all my cans, plastic recyclables, glass, cardboard and paper. When the pile in my garage gets big enough it goes into my car and over to the landfill which about 10 minutes away. During the few minutes I wait to get in there I see several semi-trucks loaded up, coming in to dump it all. Pretty soon we'll all be sitting on one big landfill!
I thought for several days about this 1 year commitment to change my lifestyle. Then, this morning a friend sent me an email, here is an excerpt -
"......you know, "Business A" and "Business B", they're all gone now, it's just "Business C" in this building now. I don't know how many dumpsters ***(facilities person) filled up with office chairs, desks, filing cabinets, computers, phones and all sorts of office equipment. He was out there with a sledgehammer breaking up all the bigger pieces, like the desks. You know, the Salvation Army will actually pick up all that stuff for FREE, you just have to call them!!!! But nooooo let's destroy it and throw it in the garbage!!!"
The decision was made. The challenge is on!!!