July 16, 2009

So you think you're going green? No, you're not!

Going green, being concerned about the environment, is a good thing.

It's got us thinking about all the things we throw away needlessly and the affect our actions have on the world around us.

Like books. Ebooks are cheaper (or should be), you can put them on your Kindle or ereader and have tons of books at the ready. Saves gas, too.

Some people recycle rainwater (older folks did this years ago - they put a barrel out to catch rainwater, what's new really isn't) or use solar panels... they walk more, drive less, ride bikes....

We recycle cans and newspapers...

But...

there is one thing I keep wondering about and so far I haven't found any answers.

Sure that all helps, but what do we all throw our garbage away in, week after week? Big giant plastic bags! Right?

We never think about those as there really is no alternative that I'm aware of.

Until everyone can go to the grocery store and pick up reasonably priced biodegradable plastic bags or large recycled paper bags that are sturdy, what is the answer? Just one thing I've thought about.

** What do you think?

* Yes, Searching for a Starry Night is available in ebook and in Kindle

6 comments:

Helen Ginger said...

Bio-degradable bags for trash cans would be good. We definitely need them.

I've started not using bottled water. It made no sense for me since we now have city water (not well water) and it's filtered. Plus, I'm drinking a whole lot more water than I used to now. Yeah, I know that's not something new, but I feel better doing it.

Helen
Straight From Hel

Anonymous said...

We use a Brita water filter now just because of the countless number of plastic bottled water containers out there. Its cheaper, and we get to use those fashinoable water thingies my wife buys wherever she goes.

Stephen Tremp
www.stephentremp.blogspot.com

CA Verstraete said...

Yeah all those bottles for what may turn out to be tap water. ha! I have a filter too, and tend to reuse bottles.

Jennifer Taggart, TheSmartMama said...

Biodegradable bags for trash cans exist. Better yet - don't use any bags. We don't use any bags for our trash except for kitchen, and then we use a recycled content allegedly compostable plastic bag. We just take our trash cans to the curb cans for pickup. Our jurisdiction doesn't require our trash be bagged though so this may not work for everybody.

We don't use any bottled water, and use stainless steel containers with tap water. Bottled water is a huge waste of money, and a huge energy cost versus tap water (have an entire blog on it).

We buy in bulk using cloth bags and reusable contaienrs and use reusable totes for everything, including produce.

CA Verstraete said...

Hi Jennifer, well, something that I didn't know about, but if they are much more expensive than the regular bags that still wouldn't result in widespread use I'd think. I have to get in the habit of using the bags for shopping. I keep forgetting them in the car!

Deb Hockenberry said...

Hi,
I've never seen the biodegradable trash bags. I'll have to look closer for them but I definitely want to get a Brita!