Plastic Baggie Remorse
I swear it happens more times than I’d like to admit. For instance, when I pack my daughter’s lunch, I ask her to bring home the plastic bag that holds her crunchy orange twists and organic grapes, but they always seem to find their way into the school’s trash. Recently, when I was cleaning out my fridge, I dumped a huge plastic zip bag of leftover Thanksgiving mashed potatoes. I briefly contemplated whether I should fish the bag out of the garbage, clean it and reuse it; I know that would have been the GREEN thing to do, but at that particular moment, it was not going to happen.
True, I am no longer unconscious when it comes to reusing, but on the other hand, it takes such effort to be consistent, and sometimes I slip. Being green takes time, diligence and, I’d have to say, a true passion for saving the planet. I’m a work in progress on the consistency part of my commitment to the planet, but I’m getting better.
I guess a bit of guilt is a good thing.
Sounds like you're turning green nicely, Emme! I was raised to "use it up, wear it out, make it do, do without," but of course I got away from that as soon as I could. Like you, I've been getting back to it gradually over the past few years. These are a lot of habits to change, but as you say, every little bit helps the environment--and also helps us to want to do more. It's like learning to eat right: the more you do it, the more abhorrent your former way of life becomes.
But Emme....double-dunking the tea...?? Ew! I've got an idea... how about using loose leaves--totally renewable resource--and not using bags at all? Most good-quality (i.e., not bought in supermarkets) green teas are good for two, three, or even more infusions.
Cheers!
Glad that you are greening slowly. I always reuse my teabags, once for tea and then when I have sore tired eyes. Dunk the bags into luke warm or cold water (whatever you like) then apply to closed eyes. Relax for a few moments
I do it every night
Instead of using plastic bags, maybe switch to reuseable and rewashable plastic containers. They are much easier to reuse than plastic bags.
I re-use many things at our house, including plastic baggies.
I use the plastic bags from the grocery store as trash bags,
in the small trash cans. I havent had to buy small trash bags
since forever.I re-use the small yogurt cups for all the kids
that come to our house they are the perfect size.
Congrats on your efforts to make small steps to go green!
One of the best things I did was to start using Eco Produce Bags when I go grocery shopping.
As my family tries to eat fairly healthy, we buy a lot of fruits and veggies at the store and markets during the summer, and every time you buy even one piece of fruit or veggie, you end up using another thin plastic bag to bring it home (and most of them break, anyway).
I bought a set of these durable organic cotton bags (2 are mesh and 2 are cotton), and now I just take them with me to the store, rinse and drip dry every few weeks as needed, and I figure in the 6 months since I got them, I've saved our family from using over 100 plastic produce bags alone, not even including the normal grocery bags I've saved from toting my Envirosax retros along as well.
I know I don't do everything I can for the environment, but even seemingly "little" steps like this can really add up, and I'm proud of every little step!
I always re use plastic bags, for pooper scooper bags, having two dobermans, the bags ALWAYS get recycled once. I keep lots of plastic bages in my mini van, always picking up after them. So, at least our plastic bags get used twice.
My company carries waste bags and products that are good for the environment and will biodegrate, so the landfills aren't left with plastic that won't break down! If anyone is interested please contact me hummersinc@gmail.com.