Okay, okay, my apologies to David Sedaris…although I’ve never read him, I like the title of that book, and from reviews I HAVE read, I’d probably enjoy it. With all Swampy’s inferences to “trash talkin'”, it’s the phrase that kept running through my mind for a post title for my next entry in our recycling series. So, there ya go, it’s how I think.
Through a blogger chain of events, we’ve begun SPEAR 2007, a challenge to begin recylcing in our own homes, with an invitation for YOU to join us. Thanks for your feedback so far; it’s encouraging to hear your thoughts.
Beginning can be daunting. I’ve begun researching information and statistics related to recycling, and you can imagine the zillions and zillions of sites out there! Too much to process, too much to read. It’s best to remember Rome wasn’t built in a day. We’re having to establish NEW habits, and rather than trying to “build a city”, we’re simply “redecorating a home”.
I thought it interesting that at EXATLY the same time Swampwitch and I were exchanging thoughts about this challenge, I noticed a recycle logo on a Target bag. These are simple tips for reusing grocery bags, the type suggestion that will keep this challenge manageable. They’re all common sense, but sometimes it helps to have it s-p-e-l-l-e-d out for ya. If you aren’t already doing these, why not put some of these into practice today?
1) Tiny trashcan liner
2) Doggy duty
3) Water balloon (yikes!)
4) Roadtrip Rubbish (might I add barf bag??)
5) Soggy laundry
6) Ice pack for head lump
7) Toiletry Tote (who needs a cute little Vera Bradley or Kate Spade case for such?)
8) Kitty litter liner
9) Tomorrow’s lunchbag
10) Care package padding (I know, I know, it’s not the same as Marnie’s air-filled bags…!)
Yay! I get the prize for first responder! (I’ll take two Target bags, please.)
Funny thing about those Target bags, they’re the ONLY plastic bags I know of that actually survive the trip home from the store. Everything else rips an hole or loses a handle if you so much as look at it cross-eyed.
And speaking of reusing and reducing (right along with recycling), you all need to check our your local Freecycle Yahoo!group. Basically, it’s a clearing house for anything and everything you have that you no longer want. Coupons, fat jeans, phat jeans, kittens, A/C units, books and videos, exercise equipment,craft supplies, holiday decor, roosters… anything you can think of. Get rid of the clutter in your closets and find someone who can use what you no longer need.
Freecycle also allows you to ask for things you’re interested in. On the off chance you need a motorcycle helmet or a front door, you can post your request and see if someone’s got one to give you.
The groups are arranged by geographic locale to ensure that things stay local, and the one caveat is that everything must be FREE.
Keeps the landfills a little emptier too.
Ok, first, I know I promised never to correct ANYONE again, but isn’t the book, “Me Talk Pretty,” instead of Dirty? Or maybe he has a new book out and I haven’t seen it. Since you haven’t read him, I’ll send you my copy…I am taking copious notes over here and organizing my trash instead of shopping for my kids’ gifts. I know they’ll be happy to hear that.
I’ll just tell them it’s Robin’s idea.
Off to Target to get my Vera Bradley bags…I’m giving then as gifts this year. Do you think the girls will notice?
P.S. Sh-h-h I know it was a play on words…just kidding !
ERIN…SUPERFANTASTIC information! DING DING DING! YOU win a prize…or at least you SHOULD win a prize :). NEVER heard of Freecycle before, but I like the thought of GIVING it away…I learned a harsh lesson in selling stuff years ago, if I get brave enough, I might even write about it one day. Thanks for the 4-1-1.
SW, ARE YOU CORRECTING ME ON MY OWN BLOG? HUH? ARE YOU CORRECTING ME ON MY OWN BLOG WHEN I INTENTIONALLY WROTE IT THAT WAY?? I’m just kidding, of course I read both your comments before I exploded ;). But I will gladly TAKE your copy!
I thought you already finished shopping for your kids by emptying various boxes you had sitting around. My kids would be grateful to know I’ve actually thought about shopping :/….
Durn…….they have VB at Tarjay? Where have I been?
Smiles all around.
We now have a surcharge on plastic shopping bags. I haven’t used one for 3 years, and yes I do shop. I go with reusable cloth bags.
I go through phases where I use the cloth bag.
I’m not in the phase right now — but I always reuse my plastic bags.
I think I wore my last couple of cloth bags out – and didnt replace them
dumb excuse I know
You should get alot of google hits on this post
oh… and the grocery store has the plastic sack/bag recycle bin, too
so when I get too many thats where I take them
I’m not all bag bad
Here I thought WT used a Kangaroo Pocket. I’m devastated.
You USE plastic grocery bags!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
What are my poor eyes being subjected to?!?!?!?!?!?! I can’t read this. I don’t think I can handle this. Everyone, I mean simply everyone MUST shop, if they must shop, with hemp grocery bags. Do you know how many plastics have to give their lives so Americans can use plastic shopping bags?
If you MUST get the plastic bags, reuse them for wrapping paper @_@
Ok, ok, I can’t go on & be serious about this anymore 🙂 I suppose we could find figures about the way they fill up dumps & strangle critters in the ocean & creekbeds, too.