July 1, 2008 8:39 AM
Stewardship and recycling - a natural fit
You know I'm a big scoffer at the newest Chicken Little Worry Hype called Global Warming - maybe because I'm old enough to have experienced the media hype 30 years go about The Coming Ice Age (Yep, that's right folks - read about it here).
And I'm very skeptical of anything smacking of Earth-First or Save the Planet because it's often tied to someone's political agenda and usually it's not one I agree with.
I am a person who worships the Creator and not His creation.
However, I am a strong believer in good stewardship - which began for me back in the 70's, long before I even knew the word stewardship.
Back then I used to post signs on the bulletin board of our complex's laundry room telling people that the soap manufacturers were trying to rip them off with directions to use a cup or more of detergent per load. Even then, Consumer Reports had proven that you need only a quarter cup or less to do the job.
Nowadays - as I'm becoming ever more conscious of saving money and resources - I'm still thinking about the injustice of a country that over consumes - over-eating, over-packaging, over-indulging in unnecessary stuff (see my upcoming review of WALL-E) - while so many live in pain and poverty.
I am grateful this economic downturn has had a very immediate and life-changing effect on our family (more on this coming up this week, too) because it has taken me deeper into the heart of Christian materialism and greed I've been pondering for a few years, stripping away more of its remnants in me.
I just can't in good conscience continue on my merry way through the LaLaLand of American consumerism. I really want to be more purposeful and self-denying. Not because I'm afraid the planet can't sustain it, but because I just don't think it's pleasing to God.
Okay, off my soapbox :)
The real point of this was that my daughter Samantha took her children to a recycling plant for a homeschool field trip (love those homeschool field trips!) I had taken her younger brothers and sisters to one in California when we were homeschooling and it was fascinating for the kids.
I want to suggest that you find your nearest recycling center and arrange one for your homeschoolers, or suggest it to your kids' private or public school teachers. Be sure you go too - you will find it fascinating. The recycling center I visited - Marin Resource Recovery in San Rafael, CA, even had pigs! How practical!
One of the amazing little things Sam and my grandchildren learned was that to prevent unwanted mini-explosions, they actually have to pay workers to sit and twist off the caps on plastic bottles which people have left on. The workers tend to get carpal tunnel syndrome, leading to lost time and higher Worker's Comp costs.
All of this defeats the point, doesn't it?
So if you get nothing else from this post, please start leaving the tops off the bottles when you recycle.
And if you don't recycle, please start today - and take it seriously. Did you know that one aluminum can produces enough energy to run a computer for three hours?
The recycling possibilities for recovered material are incredible! For example, did you know that:* recycled plastic bottles are used to make polar fleece clothes;
* recycled glass is used to manufacture the reflective paint used on highways;
* recycled newspaper is used to make cat litter.~~from Desjardins
Please go here for Recycling Tips.
And just because you're already doing some, don't think there's not more you can do. I love when Elisabeth Elliot says that each day we should take one thing we should be doing and start doing it, and take one thing we shouldn't do and stop doing it. That applies to every part of our lives, doesn't it?
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Comments
Excellent post, Barbara! Like you, I actually am finding that this economic downturn is causing our family to tighten the reigns (not that we had alot to begin with, but...)and learn to be truly content with what God has given us. My daughter doesn't have alot of toys and I want it that way. I don't want her growing up equating "things" with happiness.
I checked out your post on Christian greed and materialism and couldn't agree more. When I see the likes of Joel Osteen preaching his prosperity gospel and I contrast that with humble christians who are being tortured for Christ, it infuriates me. Mr. Osteen, among others, will have a lot to answer for when they stand before God. I try to imagine what the response would be if he preached "your best life now" to a group of christians from India who live in deplorable conditions. Truly sickening.
In some weird sort of way, I hope we go through another depression. This country has gotten WAY too big for her britches and is in need of some humbling. I do believe with all my heart that God is indeed doing just that.
Libby
Posted by: Libby | July 1, 2008 10:26 AM
Great post Barbara. I feel very much the same way as you as far as being a good steward.
I just wanted to add a little "tip" for recycling.
Take extra care to ensure that no food particles go into the recycling bin. If there's cheese on the pizza box, throw it away! It actually causes *more* problems at the recycling plant than it would in a landfill.
I know that we had been throwing all of our pizza boxes in the recycling bin til the city put up billboards warning us not to!
Thanks for the tip about the plastic bottle caps. We've always deflated our bottles and then replaced the cap to save space, but we'll start just throwing the bottle in sans cap!
Posted by: Lauren | July 1, 2008 10:34 AM
I too am shocked at what we use for just a short time and then throw away. For good! Water is also included in our "waste" list.
Posted by: Stretch Mark Mama | July 1, 2008 12:41 PM
In Switzerland we're taught to crush (deflate) the bottle and then replace the cap (like Lauren wrote above). It saves space and thus fuel (you can fit more bottles in a container, requiring fewer pickups from the recycling truck). I would think this would prevent the little explosions in the first place, but I'll have to try to look into it now. The grocery store near me has a plastic bottle recycling machine that you push the bottle into and if it's capped it pops in there - it seems it's the chore of all the little boys in the neighborhood to push the bottles into that machine!!
In some parts of Switzerland (Zurich is one I can think of) they won't pick up your recycled cardboard from the curb if there's a pizza box in the bundle.
Posted by: swissmiss | July 1, 2008 1:37 PM
Libby,
I know you're tying to say something good, but honestly "wishing for another depression" (even in a "weird way") is absolutely appalling and completely lacking in charity. Stop for a minute and think what that would mean for countless people and their lives! Some people have more than they need in our country--that is true. But wishing for something evil so that good may come of it is a terrible thing.
Posted by: Elizabeth B. | July 1, 2008 2:35 PM
Elizabeth,
You are certainly entitled to your opinion. I believe you have misunderstood my comment. Actually, the desire to have something like a depression befall this country is a charitable thing. For things to go on unrestrained in this nation the way they have been is disastrous. People are blinded to their need for Jesus by greed and consumerism among a host of other things. To fall flat on your face and see your need for God is a wonderful thing. Being spared eternally and suffering lack in this world is far better than being spared suffering in this world and spending an eternity in hell. But don't think me uncharitable, for God's word is full of examples of His allowing evil/pain/suffering for the greater good - because of His great love for us. Take it up with him.
Posted by: Libby | July 1, 2008 5:14 PM
Libby,
Precisely my point. God gets to decide, and human beings should not wish for anything evil to happen to others.
I think what will bring people to Christ is not another Great Depression (it didn't work that way the first time, after all) but ordinary Christians showing the face of Christ to their neighbors in how they LOVE them (I'm not saying you don't agree with this, of course). Christians should not wish that their neighbors' jobs, livelihoods, cars, possessions, ability to feed and educate their children, etc, should vanish. You and I have no knowledge of how tragedy will affect any particular person--some are brought closer to God, some choose to push Him farther away. Wishing for another Great Depression is essentially uncharitable because it wishes evil things to befall our brothers and sisters in Christ. I'm not trying to say that you don't mean well--just that we human beings don't have the necessary knowledge or wisdom to wish for such things. I think it is better to pray for conversion and leave the means to God. God ALLOWS evil (as you say), but he does not positively and directly WILL or WISH evil.
Posted by: Elizabeth B. | July 1, 2008 10:36 PM
Well then, Elizabeth, let's make it a point to do just that, and pray for those who don't know Christ. Only God knows what I meant in my heart and another person cannot make a judgment as to whether or not I was being charitable. I take issue with that. You have NO IDEA, Elizabeth, what is in my heart and to judge me uncharitable and say that my wish for another great depression is appalling shows that, perhaps you, are being uncharitable.
Posted by: Libby | July 2, 2008 9:20 AM
Well, I was taking issue with the objective meaning of your words (in fact, I thought I went out of my way to make it clear that I felt you meant well). I meant that objectively it is uncharitable to wish for evil. I'm sorry if I didn't make that clear enough, and offended you.
Isn't it a little contradictory to tell me that I can't judge whether you're being uncharitable, and then suggest I am being uncharitable?
I don't think you are an uncharitable person--I don't even know you! I only take issue with the words in your initial comment. And Lord knows, there are many times in my life when I have said uncharitable things. But I understand it's hard to discuss moral issues without feeling personally attacked. God bless.
Posted by: Elizabeth B. | July 2, 2008 3:50 PM
Elizabeth,
Apology accepted. Thank you.
Posted by: Libby | July 2, 2008 5:06 PM
This could be outdated information. I seem to remember reading recently that thus far it actually takes more energy, in terms of fuel for pick up, and conversions at recycling centers, to recycle than is produced.
Whether that is still the case or no, it continues to be better to re use and reduce consumption altogether. Instead of purchasing bottled water, which often uses petroleum in the bottles, something we're a little short of these days, purchase a reusable water bottle. (Something like Sigg or Nalgene, and put a filter on your tap if you don't like the taste of your local water.) That saves the energy used in recycling those bottles, as well as the resources committed to making them and shipping them in the first place.
And that's just water.
There are many other ways to reduce the initial amount that is consumed before it ever becomes a recycling issue, and to make it a point to use things that are good for several uses rather than disposable.
Rags instead of paper towels
cloth diapers instead of disposable
jars and storage containers over ziplock bags
bulk food instead of overly packaged foods
etc.
Old news I know, but still worth implementing.
Posted by: carrien (she laughs at the days) | July 3, 2008 4:41 AM
