Save the Planet?

Does a bad economy mean trashing the progress we've made?

Earlier this week I was disheartened to hear (NPR, "Falling Prices Take a Toll on Municipal Recycling") and read (DetNews-Green,"Bottom Drops out of the Recycling Business") about how the lack of demand for recycled resources is having a tremendous negative impact on the value of these resources.  And it's sure to have as great a negative impact on the environment as well. 

Recycling is probably one of the few ways most individuals feel they can participate and make a difference in our environment.  You feel good when you do it.  You're doing your part. 

So what happens now?  Recyclables that once were a revenue stream are now becoming a cost.  When PET (plastic bottles) goes from $300 to $20 a ton, its profitability plummets.  And when paper mills are charging recyclers to unload their post-consumer paper, profit becomes a cost -- and companies can't do that for long.  Some have already closed drop-off locations.

So where will your recycling go?  You know.  The landfill.  And that makes me want to cry.

Don't be afraid...It won't bite

I'm not sure how long ago I had first heard about the Dyson Airblade, but I finally had a first-hand experience in a restroom at the airport in Atlanta.

To dry your hands, you hang them down into the dryer.  As you slowly lift your hands, air blasts out from front and back to squeegie the water away.  Viola!  In 12 short seconds your hands are dry, and you've saved the planet the waste and resources of one paper towel. 

I have to confess, it was so fun, I put my hands in a second time.  I looked around to see if anyone else enjoyed my thrill but realized that no one had used the dryer ahead of me, and no one was queued up behind me.  Try it!  Really, it won't bite!

I'm hoping that as time goes by more people will become familiar with this resource- and energy-saving device (it's much more energy efficient than traditional air dryers). 

And when you do have an opportunity to use this hand dryer, make sure others see what you're doing so they, too, can help reduce the use of paper towels.

Still not sure how it works?  Check out the Dyson Airblade ad:

Is your mailbox full of junk?

I saw this poster at the Pittsburgh Airport.  It depicts the resources used and waste created junk mail, starting with the forest and ending with the landfill.  This poster is part of an exhibit by Recycle Runway.

Project Runway is a collection of elegant recycled garments that raises environmental consciousness through exhibits in airports across the country.

I suspect most of us know that junk mail comes from trees, that dyes and bleaches of the printing process contaminates our land and water, that energy is consumed in its creation and that even more energy is needed to process and deliver it to us at home.  Did you know, though, after all of that, 44% of junk mail is never even opened?  And 65% of it goes into the landfill?  Are we happy that 35% is recycled?  Yes and no.  Additional energy is still needed to process it back into a usable resource.

Do something about it. 

• Sign the Do Not Mail petition.  The goal is to get legislation to have a "no mail" list in the same way we were able to stop telemarketers through a "no call" list.
• Use a service like StopTheJunkMail to send requests to companies whose catalogs you do not wish to receive.  I used this service a couple of years ago which did slow the catalogs but I need to be more vigilant as new catalogs show up.
• Be proactive in reducing your email.  StopJunkMail.org has sample letters you can use to help reduce the amount of junk mail you receive.
• Get the above five-foot-wide poster from RecyleRunway and use it to encourage others to proactively stop junk.  (At least follow the link and see a better picture of the poster than I was able to get through the display case!)

Running on Empty...the challenge

Four weeks ago -- the middle of October, mind you -- the challenge was given.  Can we make it to the end of the year without filling the car with gas?  If we can do it, we'll beat last year's low record number of fills.

First, don't hate me because I can walk or bus to most of my world.  I know this isn't possible for many people.  But pay attention to the challenge.

So, the challenge. We guestimated 10 gallons of gas remained giving us about 200 miles to last the year.  We noodled for a bit, counting about ten weeks to go.  Then we put together a mile-budget:

• Groceries: 15 @ 4 miles round trip = 60 miles
• Tai Chi lessons: 5 @ 5 miles round trip = 25 miles
• Work-related: 40 miles
• Socializing, theater, other shopping: 50 miles
• Emergency, contingency: 25 miles

We decided this was challenge we could win, but we wanted make sure the gas would last.  We took the bus that day to the theater instead of the 10 mile round trip by car.  And because this has turned into a competition, if it starts looking like we're going to need gas, we'll probably forgo a trip to the grocery store to make sure to win the challenge!

Update:  It's a few days before Thanksgiving, and we have about 50 miles left in the tank.  It'll be close, but I think we can make it! 

1/1/2009:  Did we make it?  Check out Falling off the Wagon in the Concientious Hypocrite.