I must admit that I love conveniences, gadgets, and electronics. I like to spend time on my business, and I am happy to find anything that saves me time in the kitchen and in my home. Like many Americans I was very happy when I could afford a dishwasher and microwave, but soon found that even loading the dishwasher on a regular basis was time consuming. Colorful paper plates were a great solution. They were no longer just for picnics and large gatherings.
A change began slowly a couple of years ago when I went to an Earth Day Celebration in Davis and found myself eating a deliciously drippy burrito with no napkin. When I asked the vendor for a napkin, he said they were not using any paper at the Earth Day event. To my surprise I could easily sit on the grass and let nature absorb the excess from my lunch. I began to think about cutting back on paper, but I still wasn't ready. When I visited my daughter in Ohio, she wasn't using paper even for diapers! That was a throw back to when she was a baby. After doing without paper for a few weeks during my visit, I realized it wasn't that hard--and some things are just worth the effort.
That brings me to my trip to San Antonio this week for the Career Management Alliance Conference. Carol McClelland's presentation on Green Careers inspired me to think greener. After using a few paper towels at the airport to dry my hands, I saw the sign on the air blowing hand dryer that said, "save trees." I was in a hurry and I wasn't sure if this was the best time to start saving trees, but I used the hand dryer anyway. I found that it only took 15 seconds to start saving trees. I can do that!
When I got home I thought about buying paper plates for the company I was expecting the next week. We would have a lot more dishes and the dishwasher wouldn't be fixed for a couple of weeks. Then the picture of bags of paper plates filling the trash can came to my mind. In contrast I pictured us having fun washing the dishes and recruiting the help of my 4-year old grandson. Washing dishes could be a relationship building activity. In 15 seconds I started being greener and now it is hard to stop. I'll keep posting on my challenges and successes.
Share some of the ways you are living greener and inspire others.
Submitted on 2009/05/07 at 8:26am
ReplyDeleteI read an article that compared using paper towels with the electric hand dryer and the hand dryer came out ahead only marginally when considering overall environmental impact. They recommended neither, but using your clothing when possible, lol! I don’t know if you bring a sandwich to work, but you might find this interesting:
http://www.amazon.com/Wrap-N-Mat-Reusable-Sandwich-Wrap-Liner/dp/B001JBAE0K/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1241684480&sr=8-3
Thanks Alysn. I pondered the use of the dryer over towels and opted for a compromise–dryer & hand dry. As I was walking out I was thinking that maybe I was making a statement about being greener rather than looking weird shaking my hands as I walked out. Unfortunately some dryers are programmed for longer drying time which would make it impossible to be greener in 15 seconds. Keep sharing links for being greener!
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