By G. Michael Dobbs
Managing Editor, Reminder Publishing
G. MICHAEL DOBBS
The word of recycling and reduction in waste is ever changing.
The recent announcement from companies such as Big Y and Pride to eliminate single-use plastic bags has undoubtedly brought the issues of plastic waste to the forefront for many people. I know some people are irritated that the ban of single use plastic bags has made their lives a little less convenient, but I think with a little planning I think most people could adjust.
I don’t know about your household, but in ours there is a constant questioning of what we are buying and using. Now I’m not some sort of recycling fiend who criticizes other people. I just think there are choices we can make and alterations to our lives that can reduce waste. Take, for example, shower gel. I like it, but I’ve stopped buying it. Why? The plastic bottle. I’m back to using bar soap, which comes in a cardboard wrapper. I’ve been told there are shampoo bars that look like bars of soap but are for use on the scalp. A simple Internet search shows there are quite a few brands at various price points.
Now I know that recycling has been criticized because right now the market for recycled paper and plastic is not good. In some communities that have been earmarked for recycling have wound up in landfills. The new goal, though, is not just to recycle something, but also to avoid having to recycle something.
For instance, we want to switch from conventional plastic toothbrushes to bamboo toothbrushes. The bamboo handles have nylon bristles and a 12-pack can cost as low as $9.99 and lasts a year for one person. I think it’s worth it and it prevents more plastic from entering the waste stream. In my house, we have sought to re-use plastic food storage bags. I keep pecans in such a bag. When the pecan stock needs replenishing, I use the same bag. I do that with other foodstuffs. A product such as cream cheese isn’t wrapped in plastic or foil after opening. Instead we put it in a plastic box that is re-used over and over.
My wife, though, would like to move away from plastic bags as much as possible though. I’m a sucker for gadgets at the Big E and several years ago I bought silicon lids that can stretch over bowls and seal them. They work rather well and I don’t have to use aluminum foil or plastic wrap. By the way, I do use good old-fashioned wax paper to wrap sandwiches. Every time I do it I think of being a kid and opening the lunch box to see sandwiches wrapped in waxed paper.
There are cloth and wax wraps on the market that can keep foods fresh and are designed for multiple uses. Some are manufactured here in Massachusetts – Z Wraps made in Easthampton – and I need to buy some. We no longer use plastic straws. We ask not to get them when we eat out and use metal ones at home.
We use cloth napkins far more often than paper napkins. We try not to drink bottled water but use the tap instead. Springfield, where I live, has an outstanding public water supply.
I’m sure I’m missing a lot of things we could do to reduce additional waste and I’m willing to try things that are not the status quo. Are you?
Got a recycling tip? Drop me a line at [email protected].
