the fruits of my labour

To me, it really seems to be as easy as reduce, reuse, recycle. If toddlers watching Bob the Builder can catch on to this, we all can. So, what I try to do (and I’m by no means saying I’m a model citizen, but I definitely do try) is think about all my actions, particularly purchasing, usage and disposal. I try to buy only what I need and of that, I try to make sure I make the best choice, environmentally. Given the amount of choice available in nearly every product type, this can be pretty hard and sometimes I nearly have a breakdown in the supermarket aisle, but I try to stay calm and make the best choice I can, based on the information I have to hand. If I think I need more information to make a better choice in future, I attempt to make time for research.

And when something is no longer useful to me, I try to think of other ways in which I can use it, and if I can’t, then I look for the best method of disposal. Food scraps go to the worm farm, recyclables go in the recycling bin (corks to the zoo, batteries and light bulbs to Ikea), items that might not be useful to me, but may be useful to someone else, leave the house via either eBay or Freecycle. If I can’t get rid of an item by any of these means, then it goes in the bin and off to landfill. I must admit I can procrastinate a bit on these decisions, which is one of the main reasons for the clutter in our house, but our rubbish (not recycling) bin is usually no more than half full each week. Which, for a household of our size and makeup, isn’t bad. (It helps that Isobel’s bottom has never seen a disposable nappy. ) Not that I wouldn’t like to improve on that. Sometimes I shudder at the amount of packaging some items are sold in, but we generally don’t buy anything over-packaged.

These are only small things, but if we all do them, the cumulative effect can be great. I truly believe that if we all make changes, however small they may seem in the scheme of things, they will make a difference. And if we can influence at least one person to change with us, then even better, because it doesn’t take long for another and another to be influenced.* However, there is more we can do. For example. in Australia, we have an election coming up next month. Firstly, I strongly urge you to ensure you and your family and friends are correctly enrolled to vote by 8pm this Wednesday, 17 October. If you’re not enrolled by this date, you will not be able to vote. Go here if you need help with this. Secondly, use your vote to let our leaders know what action you think needs to be taken to secure the future of this planet. After all, what else is there?

Thanks for listening.

*Yes, my blog is virtually unheard of, but I do know some people read it. (Hi, Chris!) If one person reads this and enrols to vote or thinks twice before accepting that plastic bag when shopping, it will have been worth it.