We have a lot of holidays and special days in a calendar year. Birthdays of Presidents, family members (of course they are only considered national holidays to those who have them) Thanksgiving, Christmas, St. Patrick's Day well you get the idea.
But one day that seems to get more and more attention with the popularity of recycling, being green or whatever term you choose to use is Earth Day. With the advent of technology; recycling, or being "green" has become second nature to many people around the country/world.
I can remember growing up that we experienced several water shortages in California. I guess to be fair my Dad was a early pioneer of our families recycling projects. We caught water when it did rain in barrels and recycled the water from the washing machine to flush our toilets. We also used our bathwater too. To some that sounds horrible but to him it was a way of life. When we weren't allowed to water our yards we used the water to rinse the dishes. We didn't use the clothes dryer very often but hung the clothes on the line in the yard.
My grandparents did a garden every year until my grandfather got sick and could no longer do so. Every summer from age 12-14 I walked around the neighborhood with a friend and collected aluminum cans, and that extra money paid for the extra school clothes that I wanted to buy on my own.
I was used to recycling cans and plastic regularly so when we moved to Missouri in 1997 and found that there wasn't a program in Sedalia I was shattered. I felt guilty every time I threw any recycled item into the trash and thought what a waste that they picked up trash two days a week. Up until they finally did start a program here in town recently I would recycle items an since I knew that they did recycle were my son lives (an hour away) I would cart items when I went to visit him. Too some that sounds stupid but it gave me the piece of mind that I was doing something.
Everyone needs to go to their local landfill and see what we throw away. It is sad. Call it western bias as an editorial in our local paper stated this week; people are just too lazy to take what becomes second nature to do. It is actually very simple.
When I wrote down all that I personally recycle I was pretty proud: tin cans, plastics, cardboard, cloth shopping bags (most of the time in lieu of plastic) I have several items that I take to a office they give to early childhood participants(oatmeal containers, papertowel/toilet paper holders, old frames,)all junk mail is shredded and all recycled, I am considering composting for my container garden, the list can go on and on.
Another goal this year is to replace a tree I had to get rid of with another. Whatever little amount adds up and for me it makes me feel like I am doing my part..Shouldn't you be part of Earth/Green Day too?
1 comment:
You go! I'm not as good as you with recyling, but I cannot make myself throw an aluminum can in the trash. I remember picking up pop bottles and taking them to the grocery store for the two cents they paid.
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