Porch talk…have a quick sit
Recycling. Don’t buy it (in the first place)
August 12, 2008
by Kris Kolk
The full-size recycle bin overflows. I worry that neighbors think we are a throw-away type of family.
But hey, just a few years ago, all these recyclables were typically just thrown in the regular trash. We have made such progress—as a family and a society.
But deep down I know this much waste is still unnecessary, even if it is all recyclable.
Consider a typical frozen dinner containing a cardboard box and plastic tray. What is the product? Stew? Macaroni and cheese? Spaghetti? All of these dishes can be prepared from scratch with minimal throw-away.
Don’t get me wrong. I purchase enough frozen dinners to construct a model town from the boxes. I celebrate the ease of preparation. I celebrate the non-messy kitchen.
It’s just that I know I can do better. The dinners are laden with chemicals and salt. In addition to doing wonders for our health, cooking from scratch would also rescue the family budget.
Of course, this do-it-yourself rebellion doesn’t have to stop at frozen dinners. What else is in that recycle bin? Plastic tea bottles, frozen bread sticks boxes and a take ‘n bake pizza box. All of these products are easily made (healthier and cheaper) at home.
I get it now--recycling is OK. But not buying the packaging in the first place is better--for us and the environment.
Sometimes you overhear someone say, “Our neighbor doesn’t even recycle.”
Perhaps a progression to, “Our neighbor recycles too much” is on the horizon.
But please, don’t bash the neighbors. They’ll come around.
Copyright 2008 Neighbors About Town