So long Aughts, you are so out of here. Tomorrow we start the Teens. I wish we could leave behind all the crud from the Aughts, and take along only the good stuff, but it doesn't work that way. So looking on the bright side, I'm celebrating the whole "Green" movement thing that became so fashionable in the Aughts.
The problem with fashion is that it inevitably goes out of fashion, and being "Green" is something that should be with us always. Those of us old enough to remember know that being Green ebbs and flows. Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" comes to mind, as does the "Crying Indian" commercial from the 1970s.
We as gardeners have a responsibility to ensure that Green isn't a fad. We must do all in our power in the coming year and the new decade to encourage our governmental units, our businesses and our neighbors to make being Green a way of life. Ed Begley, Jr., and Bill Nye (The Science Guy) should be our heroes and role models.
I assure you that I will do my part. I've just been handed a bag of Sun Chips (a Frito Lay product) that announces the introduction of the first 100% compostable chip bag, around Earth Day 2010. I promise that I will rigorously test many of such bags this year (on my own dime), and report on this claim. Yes, I will snack for cause. What will you do to advance the Green cause in the New Year?
19 comments:
I rather like being a "good steward"
Being green is a too much a political
cause
But hopefully we take care of our precious earth
I love sun chips too
eat on
Good question to bring up MrMcD. We always recycle all that is possible. I haven't heard of any new items that we use that would be any greener than possible. I will be on the look out though. Of course I would be temped by any snack that would help the cause. ;)
As a garden writer, I think you do it all the time. I will do my part too by continuing to use the recyclable bags at the stores. I've quite a collection now, and I've started using them as gift bags for holidays. Whaddya think? Happy New Year my dear friend.~~Dee
Here's to the teens, MMD. Happy New Year, and may your garden grow more beautifully than ever in 2010.
My dear, such dedication, such sacrifice, colour me green, with envy. ;-) Can I snack for a good cause too?
A very Happy, Healthy and Green New Year to you and yours.
And happy snacking!
Now haven't you given us all a challenge here? A good one too!!
Compostable chip bags? Wow, that would be cool. I have given up on shovelling a path to my compost bin for the winter. Too much snow. It will get all kinds of goodies added in the spring though. Being green shouldn't just be a fad, it's good for the earth AND our pocket books too. Happy new year.
I'm so glad you explained how we can snack for the environment. I am always looking for new ways to be more green I do plan to be more serious about the vegetable garden, which means actually using - or giving away all the produce. I will put more food by!
Good advice MMD, although I have to laugh about the chip bags! What will I do? I'll continue along my green path and if I'm lucky, I'll convince some non-believers that this is the only way to behave responsibly. The planet belongs to ALL of us. Have a great 2010!
Happy New Year! You're absolutely right that "green" shouldn't be a just fashion trend. I think by being gardeners we can do all sorts of things to set an example for environmental consciousness. Composting, avoiding chemicals, growing native plants, and practicing water conservation are ways I intend to carry this into the Teens.
I am definitely old enough to remember Rachel Carson and the "Crying Indian" commercial. I remember the recycling movement of the 70's which then seemed to just fade away until its resurgence in the last decade. This is definitely something we should all be involved with, not just a "bandwagon" to jump on temporarily. Compostable chip bags--now there's a great idea! I would gladly try out compostable chocolate wrappers for the cause as well:) My simplest goal for this year is to remember to carry my reusable shopping bags INTO the stores!
Suz - yes, good stewards, that a good way to put it.
Lisa - I think most of us gardeners are already doing a good job with recycling and trying to compost as much as possible.
Dee - I love the reusable bag instead of gift wrap idea. That saves a lot. I have a motley assortment of bags for shopping, everything from the White Sox to Burpee printed on them.
Thanks, Pam!
Yolanda Elizabet - good question, you need to start reading your snack food packages. I'd like everyone to snack for the cause.
Darla - I really should get serious and think of something more to do too, possibly a water permeable patio.
Cinj - saving green is good too.
CW - I've also decided to plant only things we like to eat. I need to make sure we eat all our produce or give some away too this year.
Jean - yes, become a green evangelist!
ROR - amen, sister!
Rose - carrying in those bags becomes a habit that you don't need to think about after a while. I'm with you on the compostable chocolate wrappers. I know someone at M&M Mars, I'll suggest it.
A happy and green new year to you MMD! Are your chips what we call crisps ? I don't think the producers over here have thought of compostable wrappings - perhaps I should write to them to suggest that they follow the lead of Sun Chips.
Hmmmm. This is an interesting question for me. I was green from my teens (after reading Silent Spring at 16) and caused some kerfuffle at Ag. College in the late 70s with my interest in organic growing/native plant use, etc. So part of me has felt very vindicated over the past 5-10 years to see sustainable/green gardening expanding significantly. HOWEVER...I am still a rebel at heart and don't like being bludgeoned by the green extremists (especially of the governmental type who love to make new bylaws to berate us with) while they let big companies and businesses get away with all kinds of depredations. So it's a quandary for me.
Obviously, as a small-O organic gardener who's been recycling and composting forever I do what I can, but I don't angst for days over occasionally rushing through a drivethrough for coffee on my way to the city, or not growing my own vegetables. I try to teach sustainable gardening with humour rather than berating ( I know you have seen some of the strident sites and posts haranguing people into green whatever, and know what I mean) and that seems to work well with others, just as it works well with me.
Right up there with fashionable is trendy. Oh those are dangerous terms for the reason you mention, going out of style, another alarming thought. Maybe green can pass into iconic stage. We are aiming for the zero, or nearly so garbage day. Our trashcan is nearly empty each weekly pickup. I wonder what the sanitation engineers think? Yes we still have humans with gloves dumping the contents of the bins into the big truck.
Frances
Happy New year to you MMD! I sure hope to be greener then ever...composting is the primary focus for the garden. One goal is locating a recycler for all the black plastic nursery pots. We now have two recycling bins for the monthly pickup instead of the one the city supplies. Now if I can get better at remembering to take my canvas bag to the grocery store. gail
Anna - Sun Chips are sort of like crisps, only they aren't round or potatoy. If that makes any sense. Writing to the snack companies to request compostable bags is a great idea.
Jodi - humor makes the lesson much more enjoyable, I agree. Keep on keeping on.
Frances - good job! Hopefully you won't get into trouble like one lady, about 20 years ago, who had no garbage at all, she composted & recycled everything. Her city came after her claiming health code violations because they thought she was hording garbage in her house.
Gail - thanks for the reminder about the nursery pots. I have to remember to start keeping some in the car for those spontaneous nursery visits.
Hi MMD,
I compost everything possible (without seeds, due to the fact that I'm a fairly lazy composter). I also recycle everything possible that can be recycled (thanks to help from Mr. Shady). I don't use pesticides or crazy things on my lawns or in my gardens. I live-trap the chipmunks... But - what about those moles??? I may be on a rampage this Spring. He made a MESS of my front yard (headed towards the Woodland Walk) last Fall. Yipes! What else? Hmmmm. A good challenge. :-) I do appreciate your pro-active stance.
Chipping Sunbury, compostable bags are a great idea!
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