Like a black fly in your Chardonnay

The whole idea of buying water in a plastic bottle for a dollar (or two if it’s “smart”) is pretty new—new enough to have really taken off during my relatively short lifetime.  According to the Beverage Marketing Corporation (whoever they are) the number of plastic water bottles sold in the US jumped from 3.3 billion in 1997 to 15 billion in 2002.  Eek. 

Sadly, the vast majority of these bottles are not recycled--~12% according to R.W. Beck, Inc.(again, whoever that is).  Some end up in landfills (yuck) and many end up in our natural water sources (double yuck).  The United Nations estimates that, on average, every square mile of ocean contains 46,000 pieces of plastic trash.  Also, chemicals founds in these bottles (BPA, namely) have been found in ocean waters around the world.  The final results aren’t in, but scientists think these chemical might cause all kinds of terrible health conditions in animals and people if consumed by drinking water. 

Isn’t it ironic that drinking a plastic bottle of water, a seemingly health behavior, can have such negative effects on water resources? 

So, I’m sticking to drinking out of reusable (but BPA-free) bottle whenever possible.  I have one at work, one for the gym, and a regular ol’ glass for home. 

Read Right

When the Kindle came out, I hated the idea.  I was 100% convinced that there’s just something about holding a well-worn and well-loved novel with your fingertips poised to turn the page as you anxiously await the next turn of the plot that can’t be replaced.  My fellow readers know what I mean, right?    

Then I got a Kindle as a gift.  And I started trying to save the world.  So, I changed my mind (I’m allowed to do that). 

To be fair, I’m under the assumption that the creation of Kindle’s in combination with the electricity used to power them and the waste they create is less than the hard copies.  Can anyone verify that?

Wash and Wear

I am quite picky about how I do my laundry—separating by color, by type, blah, blah, blah.  I also don’t fully dry the majority of my clothes.  Most clothes, especially “nice” ones, are only dried for about 5 minutes (enough to get the wrinkles out) then I hang them on a drying rack.  Not only does this save energy, but it keeps my clothes nice longer and it works as an energy-free humidifier (much needed in the winter!).   3 times the world saving!

Resolute

Do you ever fervently say that you are going to do something and then instantaneously, whole-heartedly regret what you just said?  But it’s too late to take back what you said because taking it back would mean you are only half-heartedly committed to saving the world?  Yeah…that just happened.

I said I’m going on a shopping ban.  Alas, some of you may think I’m being a bit dramatic, but I suspect there’s at least one other soul other there gasping with horror. 

Let me explain....

What exactly do I mean by a “shopping ban”?

I mean I’m going to stop buying “stuff.”  No clothes, shoes, craft supplies, beauty products, jewelry, kitchen tools, books—I think you get the idea.*

I am allowed to buy food and household necessities (e.g., laundry detergent, shampoo) when I run out.   In case you were wondering, nail polish is not a household necessity and even if I painted my nails every day this year I wouldn’t run out of nail polish.  And I can survive with one kind of shampoo.

How long will the ban last?

“They” say it takes just 3 to 4 weeks to form a new habit…just for good measure, I’m giving myself 16 weeks (1/1/2012 to 4/21/2012). 

Why am I doing this?

There’s so many reasons I HAVE to do this.  I have too much stuff.  I buy too much stuff.  I might be addicted to stuff.   I’m not proud—the excess in areas of my life is embarrassing.  And, it’s WASTEFUL.  A waste of energy (READ: doesn’t save the world), space, money, time, and who knows what else. 

 Admittedly, I’ve been yapping about doing a ban for something like 6 months.  But I can always think of something I “need” that keeps me from starting The Ban just yet.   In reality, I’m pretty sure the delay stems from my fear of failing miserably.   I’m just worried that I will get caught up in life, the pressure of keeping up with the Jones’, buy stuff, not reach this goal, AND have to announce my failure to the world wide web.  There really is something to say for getting your resolutions “out there.”  There’s no incentive as compelling as fear.   

Anyway, that’s it.  That’s what I’m doing.  Wish me luck! 

*Of course, there are a few exceptions:  

1) Snow boots if my current boots fall apart  (I live in Chicago and The Ban is not worth losing a toe)

2) Gifts (for others, not myself)

3) Craft supplies that are ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED to finish a project (I’m trusting myself to know if something is absolutely required, this mostly falls under gifts anyway).  This probably sounds like a weird exception but have a lot of craft projects planned for the cold months and don’t need any more excuses for not finishing them.