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!