Getting back to something Catchfire said:But if we had to confront our own waste--you can bet we would figure out how to solve a lot of problems pretty quickly.
It points to a mindset we really have to shed. It's not our garbage. We didn't create it, and for the most part we didn't even ask for it.
Cost has to be accounted at the point of origin, at the manufacturer and retailers. If they feel like passing that cost on to us at the price tag, so be it. It's better than the way they are currently passing on the cost-- mercury in your tuna sandwich.
But that's antiquated thinking, I guess. Even on the left we have expunged any idea of corporate responsibility from our very thoughts.
Excellent points!
For example, if we go to buy a BBQ chicken at the store, we have our own glass dish with lid, to have it put in, we do not take the plastic container they come home in from the store. Usually they will take one right off the rotissery (sp?) and put it in the container for us. We may only get one a couple of times a year, but still those plastic containers are not our problem to deal with. In fact, I am thinking about doing the same for grocery store meat and cheese purchases. That we do not buy a lot, is no excuse to accept their packaging.
And yes, we try to only buy things with minimum plastic packaging to them.
It is one's personal choice to decide not to buy the things, that come in things, which are destroying our environment. And to not insist that more things be developed and utilized that are environmentally friendly, as well. People who say they care about "the children" but yet do not do such things, are speaking empty platitudes, as their own immediate "convienence" is more important to them, than a future for their children and grandchildren.