Earth Day 2013

Once again, the world rallies around itself today on Earth Day. Earth Day has gone from an activist led event in Washington DC to a marketing expo of month long proportions. Make no mistake, Our Daily Green has benefited nicely from the intense focus on earth friendly products in the way of increased reviews and blog sponsors. We are not going to bite the hand that feeds us.

But we want to be clear, beyond the array of products and giveaways, beyond the contests and promotions, beyond painting the town green (undoubtedly with non-toxic paint), Earth Day should be about genuinely changing habits and lifestyles. It should be about mindful purchasing, if we even purchase. It should be about using what we have, buying what we need, and questioning our rampant disposable consumer society. 

This past week, our local garbage collectors were on strike and nobody's rubbish was collected. Several of my fellow townsfolk left their garbage at the curb, waiting for the strike to break, while it seemed that daily the mound of trash at the end of each driveway increased by a bag. Not to be smug, but our bin wasn't even 1/3 full (and that still felt like a little too much). Even after another week, the strike could continue with little personal effect on Our Daily Green's home. 

I was a little disgusted as I saw the mountains of trash grow in my own neighborhood each day. In one week, my entire area seemed buried in its own wastefulness. It was a sad statement to what we have begun to take for granted, the world of disposables. We don't think twice about drinking from a bottle once and throwing it out, or carrying food home in a container and immediately throwing it out. We wipe up spills with paper and throw it out, we sip coffee from a styrofoam cup and throw it out, we leave a path of trash and waste in our wake. And in one week, we were overflowing. 

Annie Leonard, of The Story of Stuff fame had a poignant reminder, There is no such thing as "away". When we throw anything away it must go somewhere. This past week, with the garbage strike, that somewhere was "right here", at the end of our own driveways. The trash generated in only one week was overflowing.

To celebrate Earth Day, Our Daily Green again urges our readers to reconsider every purchase and action they make, from the coffee in a disposable cup to start the day, to the paper towel to wipe up the spills, the plastic bottle of water we open before we turn on the faucet,  to the plastic bags used to carry home the stuff we purchase, we need to start making a conscientious change in our actions. Slow down and think how long your item will last and if it's something intended for single use, rethink it. Stop throwing out so much stuff.

Several recent movies depict a world far in the future that is either overflowing with trash or completely uninhabitable due to the trash. I used to think that was an alarmist view. After one week, I realize the only part of the movies that was unrealistic was the far in the future part. It's a lot closer and lot sooner than we realize and we need to reverse that trend. 

The Story of Stuff Green

Last summer I posted a link to a video about streamlining our lives. With the new year upon us, my posts have focused on getting rid of "stuff" that clutters our lives and the environment. This week, Annie Leonard, the producer of the video, released her book The Story of Stuff, that expands upon all the information in her video.

It will make you want to drop before you shop again. Really.

How to Get There Green

For many years now, I've confidently considered myself "green", before it was even vogue. Afterall, I have been separating trash for over 20 years, we've fixed things versus trashed them, I used cloth diapers for my babies, I compost my kitchen scraps, avoid chemicals and processed food, etc., etc. I had a laundry list of touchpoints for proof that was I was green. (such laundry even hung on a line). My green confidence was so high, I decided to write this blog, in fact, certain I would have things to share with you.

The more I read, the more I realize how little I know. It can be quite daunting to get there. Overwhelming in fact. Proof of the overwhelmingness(?) that greening hit me full force this past weekend.

2010 began with a pledge to organize and simplify my life. I tend to packrat-ism, filling my space with potentially useful things so that I don't put them in landfills OR needlessly consume if I need something. I started with my bookshelf. I pulled out all the books I don't really need and decided to sell them. They moved from an overflowing bookshelf to a staging pile on my floor. (I've sold five, so far). The pile grows, though, as for every one I sell, I find two more I don't need.

Next step was the craft closet. As my children have gotten older, I no longer require the rainy afternoon craft supplies that once kept us busy many afternoons. I no longer make cute handprint shirts and bags as gifts for family members. But all the stuff remained in overflowing bags and boxes ready for the next project. I wanted to find a worthy recipient for all my still good craft supplies, so the pile languished.

Then, I was at a silent auction over the weekend and saw items made out of old vinyl record albums. I started to think about the boxes of old albums I have and that I ought to do something "green" with them. I don't listen to them, and even though I suggested it in the aforementioned blog post, I'm not going to make bowls from the old records or wallpaper a room with old album covers. So that pile languishes.

At this point, I've completely stalled my plan to simplify with complications. I allowed my wheels to spin at every attempt to dig out from the clutter and "too many things-itis". It wasn't enough to clear out my things and start fresh, but I had to clear such things out with purpose and thoughtfulness.

It's made me overwhelmed to the point of non-action.

Until this past weekend. My practical, engineer, manufacturing spouse reminded me of the 80/20 business principal. In short, 80% effort is way more productive than 0%. I've embraced a 20% failure as "good enough", and want to take my 20% loss right off the top and move forward instead of stalling wondering how I can achieve 100%.

I boxed up all my treasures and headed to a drop off charity point. I won't agonize if they will utilize those items properly, I won't stress that they won't appreciate my cast offs, and while it may seem irresponsible, it's no longer my problem. I can only move forward, not keep looking back.

I am simplifying my thinking and learning to let go.

That is my green tip for today, start small and let go. Do something little and let it grow instead of starting everywhere and making yourself crazy. Mental clutter is no better for the planet than physical.

Good luck!

A great resource: Click here to visit Becoming Minimalist.