3R's

The end of the week (for most). No one really cares at the end of the week. Not unless it's mind-numbing or brain-stumping...the two extremes.

For that reason, I'm going to keep this fairly light today. Offer only a tidbit; some food for thought; a few possible solutions, and then we can all go home.

So, to start this day, lets just recall the lessons we learned in school (or work, or home, or at the daycare centre, grocery store or gym). I am talking about the 3R's: reduce, reuse and recycle (I'd like to through a fourth one in there, respect, but this is a principle rather than an action, so we'll leave it out for now).

The fact is we consume everyday. Coffee in the morning, snack at lunch, dinner, and the every day, every week and every month essentials (and goodies...can't forget the consumer goodies). As such, many of our purchasing decisions become wrote; we stop thinking about them; stop making the connections between manufacture, purchase, use and discard -- all of which have an impact on my economy, my environment and our lives.

Given all of this, I propose a little task. It doesn't have to be too tedious, don't assume you have to apply as much energy into this as figuring out dinner, or developing that work proposal, but enough to remind oneself that each purchase is a vote (for the product, for the company's values, for the principles that surround that industry).

Take, for example, plastic. It's a liberating substance. No really! It allows automotive manufacturer's to create lighter, hence, more fuel efficient cars (that's good for the environment AND the pocket book!); plastic has also offered more accessibility and choice in consumer goods. But plastic, as a substance, is made of a scarce (and much fought after) resource -- petroleum. As such, we should always be conscientious about our purchase, consumption and disposal of plastic products. While this type of thinking can be done with ANY product, I would like to offer a few suggestions for plastic products that follow the REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE mantra.

1) The Plastic Bag -- When possible use refillable glass or tin containers (weigh them before you add the product) and buy in bulk (less packaging). Also when grocery shopping take your own cloth or canvas bags (or take a backpack or tote bag). Re-use veggie/fruit plastic bags (rinse them out if you are concerned about bacteria).
2) Detergent Squeeze Bottle (aka: dish soap) -- use the empty bottle to water plants, fill a steam iron or spot clean a floor (using a natural disinfectant, such as vinegar). Or, leave some of the soapy residue, fill it with water, and store it in your car to be used to wash the windows (rather than the dirty gas station water).
3) Yogurt/Margarine/Cottage Cheese containers -- reuse these to purchase items at bulk food stores or for storing and freezing leftovers. Or use them to pack salads, or dry goods for "brown bag" lunches.
4) Onion (mesh) plastic bags -- Use them as a dishscrubber (tied around a soap bar). If that does not appeal to you, then use these plastic mesh bags to make an air freshener. Just bake apple and orange peels on a cookie sheet at 200 degrees F for four to five hours (or until thoroughly dried). Mix the dried peels with whole cloves, nutmeg and bits of cinnamon sticks. Then wrap this aromatic mixture in the plastic netting and tie off!

Ok, there's a few of my suggestions.
What are your 3R tips?