Recycle-Mania!

Let’s face it–recycling everything that’s recyclable is hard.  It’s much easier to toss something in the trash than to:

a) Remember that it’s recyclable

b) Prep it for recycling (e.g., rinse it or break it down)

c) Separate it based on the type of material (who can read those little symbols?), and

d) Cart it to the recycling bin

Since moving to Chicago about 1.5 years ago, my recycling habits have been nothing short of poor --I’m not proud, okay?   AND, the truth is…it’s actually easier for me to recycle than most.   Our condo building has a large bin that takes the majority of recyclables–co-mingled recycling (I don’t know if it’s actually called that, but I like the word “co-mingled” and how often am I going to have a chance to use it on this blog?).  So, not only do I get to skip one part of the process, the separating, but also I walk past the recycling bin every weekday on my way to work and any other time I leave my building on foot.  Basically, I’m out of excuses for not recycling everything I can. 

Each year I give something up for Lent – please continue reading…this will all make sense momentarily–typically chocolate or soda or swearing or some other vice.  In the past, I’ve tried to do something rather than give something up, like “volunteer more” or “be nicer” but these things are hard to objectively measure (I’m a scientist, people!), which makes it hard to follow through.  This year, I decided to DO something.  You guessed it—RECYCLE.  Like crazy.  Anything I can.

There was one small flaw in my plan—I was actually abroad when Lent began on March 9th.  My travel destination wasn’t a particularly recycle-friendly destination, making it nearly impossible to carry out my plan.  So, I am extending my “Lent” a minimum of 6 days post-Easter because I started 6 days late.  Honestly, though, I hope 40+ days is sufficient time to form a new habit and I become a “recycler for life” (I am totally making a bumper sticker that says that).   

So how’s it going, you ask?  Well, I’m doing pretty excellent at home.  My hubby has even joined in (although occasionally sneaks trash in the recycling bag).   AND, boy is it shocking how much recycling we create…or in other words, just how much WASTE we WERE creating.   At work, however, I am not so stellar.  I recycle regular paper and cans and plastic drinking bottles…but not much else.  I’m not creating that much other trash at work, but anything beyond paper, cans, and plastic bottles doesn’t get recycled simply because there isn’t a place to recycle it.  This has to change.  My solution?  Yesterday, I started bag at work for other recyclables…when, it’s full I cart it home. 

So, I’m on my way….saving the world one plastic bottle/newspaper/can at a time!  Please, join me!  Oh, and don't forget to let me know if you need a "Recycler for Life" bumper sticker. 

Trashy People

I hate litter.  It really, really, really--times infinity--bothers me when people litter.  For a big city, I have to say that Chicago is actually fairly litter-free.  Someone out there is doing a fantastic job of picking up much of the litter left by trashy people.  But, as far as I’m concerned, any litter is too much litter. 

Last year, running along the lake front path on a warm spring evening, I marveled at the beauty of Chicago, the lakefront being particularly exceptional with the skyline view, lake, and greenery.  As I ran past some fisherman at a nearby harbor, I noted a number of beer cans, plastic sodas bottles and the like laying along the scenic seating area.  Apparently, I wasn’t the only one taking advantage of the weather and view.  However, there’s absolutely no excuse for leaving trash along the lake front—there are trash and recycling cans about every 25-50 yards along the path.   I made a promise/challenge to myself then and there.  I decided that every time I run outside, I will pick up at least 1 piece of trash. 

And I have.  I was running a lot last summer, probably 4-5 times a week.  And I rarely actually only picked up one piece, I usually picked up 2 or 3.  In my head, I’ve also started this arbitrary point system (think “Whose Line is it Anyway?”) whereby I get extra “points” if I can recycle the item.  One day I found the ultimate litter, worth more "points" than 18 recyclable cans……the plastic ring from a six pack.  Why is this the ultimate piece of litter?  Because I very clearly remember Mrs. Anna, my third grade teacher, showing us a picture of a turtle that got caught in one of those and telling us to ALWAYS cut up the rings before throwing them away because animals could die.  I still do that, Mrs. Anna-- who knows how many animals you have indirectly saved?!?!   I happily ripped that 6-pack ring, which could have easily blown into the lake, into to shreds.  

The six-pack ring incident was so powerful, that upon arriving home, I blurted out my trashing-picking-up plans to my husband…plans I had been holding secret for months at that point.  Some might think it’s a bit gross to pick up others trash (hence being a bit secretive).  And maybe it is.  To be fair, I hold it with my fingertips as far from my body as I can.  Plus, I am usually a sweaty mess anyway, what’s the difference?  It’s not like I’m picnicking out there. 

I’ve been huddled in the gym for months now…but trash day--it’s just around the corner….

Saving the World

I live what most would consider a pretty normal life.  In my life, I wear many hats–I’m a wife, a daughter, a friend, a scientist, a runner, a reader, a crafter, and many other things.  But I want to be a world saver too.  It’s as simple as that.  I want to save the world.  Do I think I can do it alone?  Well, no.  But, do I think I can do something?  Most definitely yes.    

So, I’m starting this world-saving adventure and chronicling it online for all to see (mom and Tori, that might just be you two, so comment often).   My goal?  To detail my efforts, small and large, to save the world.  These might be things I already do (isn’t the suspense killing you?), new habits I form, or one-time events.  To hold myself accountable, I’m announcing straight off with only a tiny bit of hesitation that I intend to post a minimum of twice a week for at least 1 year.  FYI, that’s a minimum of 102 world-saving “things”—isn’t it already easier to see how I’m going to save the world?  I’m accepting applications for volunteers who will hold me to this twice weekly goal. 

In all seriousness, ultimately (*fingers crossed*), I hope to a) inspire myself to make the world a better place and b) prove to myself and others that us every day folks can make a positive impact on the world. 

Oh, and…coincidentally….Happy Earth Day! 

This is me signing off.  Toodles.