I recently finished reading a book entitled "Serve God, Save the Planet" by J. Matthew Sleeth MD. It was phenomenal. It's about finding practical ways to fulfill our call to be stewards and caretakers of God's creation- our earth. He has some great points about being energy-efficient, watching what we buy, and cutting down on our consumerism in general, whether that be simply not buying more clothes, or unplugging the TV when we aren't using it. I am encouraged by this book to do my part, even if it seems small or insignificant.
I feel insignificant sometimes when I go to the grocery store. In the past several months, i have been using canvas/cloth grocery bags to put my groceries in instead of using the store's plastic bags. most plastic grocery bags do not get recycled, and they take for-ever(if ever) to break down. but i rarely see any one else doing the same with cloth bags. i feel small and insignifcant when i check out at the store and put my things into my own bags. it's also a little awkward b/c not many ppl do it yet so the cashiers aren't used to it. doing it at our smaller groceries (which are still huge chains) like Smiths works better than other places though. it was kinda funny, i tried to do it at walmart and the cashier just couldn't believe me. and he kept putting the groceries into plastic bags and then having to take them back out, shake his head at me, and just look stunned in general. i feel like i can't be making a difference in this one area. but i have to stop and think: what if every person took just one canvas bag to the grocery store? then the stores wouldn't have to stock as many plastic bags, then the companies that make the plastic bags wouldn't have to make so many, then the oil needed for the plastic to make the bags wouldn't have to be procured from other countries, less gas would be used in transport of said bags, etc etc. i may be only one, but what if only one turned into a thousand? a million? eventually we would see the effect. so i have to keep thinking about not just myself as one, but what that can turn into for the rest of America. Please, start using your own grocery bags. Think twice before buying your bottled water, and if you must buy it, please make sure to recycle the bottle.
the book ended with a quote from the author's grandmother: "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
Broads Fork, Bonkers, black and white, iPhone
8 years ago
7 comments:
I still get the plastic baggies at Wal-Mart... but we use them as trash bags. No need to BUY trash bags when you can save money and just change out the trash a bit more often (then your house doesn't stink). I grew up with my mom doing that, and so I am used to it, but people still think i am crazy for using such small bags in my trash can :)
in NY...i always feel bad when i'm the one using plastic bags...EVERYONE has the canvas tote bags for groceries...for me it's like i forget to bring my canvas bag b/c i'll pick something up on the fly and well the bag isn't with me...so now i have to get used to carrying it folded up in my messenger bag. the tote bag is like a trendy thing now as well..i think louis vittan (sp?) has a canvas bag for like thousands of dollars. so stupid..it's a simple canvas bag!! i think the LV logo is ugly anyways...but with all that said...
you're doing the right thing polly...
i also agree with your friend linds. to diminish the plastic bag count under my sink..i use them as trash bags. i throw food out every day so it doesn't stink up the place.
by the way...you were tagged. see my blog. hope all is well.
Yes. I know. I joined the dark side. BUT... with my family moving and with 2 teenage siblings to try and stay connected to, facebook is more up their alley than blogger. Blogger is a more sophisticated, older form of facebook. Facebook is definitely today's generation. As my sister said it last night "you're cool in the world of teenagers now." I guess that sums it up. If you join, make sure to find me...
I've been considering the switch to the canvas bag and you may have just pushed me over the edge. well done blog stocker.
another use for those plastic bags you get at the grocery store if you get them is to use them as packing material. they are lightweight and work nicely instead of peanuts or whatever else you use.
I use the plastic bags to pick up Suzie's and Cinco's dog poop every morning. I would do something else if anybody has a better idea. It still is getting thrown away and not recycled, but maybe the dog poop helps break it down faster? I know it breaks me down when I pick it up every morning.
Use it up, wear it out.....a phrase that I used recently..burned into ROM in my brain from reading TMEN (The Mother Earth News)...a long time ago, in a place far
Was neat to see it in your blog.
Dad D
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