A Beseeching Request On Behalf of the Trees

I actually wrote this quite a few years ago, but I still feel it applies today.

Recently, while on a trip up north in the beautiful wooded wilderness, the “naturalist” came out in me and thought, “Why aren’t there recycling bins in hotel and motels?  The enormous amount of things thrown away that could cleanly, and easily, go into recycling bins is a tragedy that could be avoided.  The “thrifty” aspect of me, thought, “Towns, Cities, Villages, and the like, make money on recycling, (so also, can individuals,) so why is this not common practice?

While having tea with my son at our favorite hang out today, he said to me, “I have talked to the manager so many times about recycling the cardboard wrappers they put on hot cups, and they never do it.”  It was very disheartening to him to know that the simple act of putting out a bin or a box seems to be more than they are willing to do. (As you can see, the apple does not fall far from the tree!) We discussed going somewhere that would put out bins, as a form of protest, but he stated he has tried at various places all over town, to get them to do this one simple thing; “Think of all the trees it would save,” he said. 

So, on behalf of the trees, I am imploring all who read this to spread the word, and ask everyone you know who frequents coffee shops, hotels, motels, and anywhere that there are recyclable cups, sleeves, paper, whatever comes from our trees, to just place a unobtrusive bin or box near the garbage can, with a note to drop those items there for recycling. 

Then, if they do it, tell everyone!  Notify your local paper, and spread the word among your friends and colleagues, give that business positive publicity, then others will see there are far reaching benefits to taking care of the environment; that one small act that takes only a few seconds, can have long-term positive results in more ways then one.

Think of all a tree gives us; beauty, a house for birds and critters, oxygen, shade, they can absorb excess water than can damage, the list goes on, and on.  So, instead of leaving garbage in our wake, let us be like the trees, and leave something positive; and the next time you take a breath, thank a tree. 

©Marie Boyum

4-8-11

More Ways to Save the Planet

Here are a few more ideas to help save the planet.  The faeries are grateful for whatever you can do to help.

Cheese slice wrappers

Food Storage

Reuse the wrapper instead of plastic wrap for small pieces of food or on bowls.  Using masking tape or a rubber band, wrap up small pieces of food in the cheese wrapper and secure with tape (masking tape works best) or a rubber band. 

For use as a bowl cover securing it with a rubber band around the rim of the bowl, again, saving the need for plastic wrap. 

Infant learning activity

If you sew, place the wrappers between two squares of material; stitch together for the "crinkle" sound that gives babies a tactile earning experience.

Chopsticks

Save your chopsticks from the Chinese restaurant and rinse the ends in soapy water.  Use to stake up small plants around the house or to grab things from tight spaces.  I once dropped a small object down the heating vent and was able to retrieve it using old chopsticks. 

Clothespins

Food clip

Don’t waste money on those breakable plastic “chip clips” you buy at the stores.  An old-fashioned wooden clothespin works great.  (The hinged ones do work better than the all wood, non-hinged though.)  Use it to seal cereal, snacks, anything with an inner bag liner that does not self-seal.

Refrigerator magnet

Glue a magnet on the back of the clothespin and you have a nice refrigerator note holder.  It can easily be made more decorative by gluing on sequins, adding puffy paint or drawing or lettering it with permanent markers. Do this to designate a purpose, such as, naming a specific store’s list or to just make it more personal, i.e., adding a name. 

Coffee grounds

Save water, use coffee grounds!  “What?” you say.  Yes, it can save hot water (thus energy and money) by using fresh coffee grounds on sticky hands.  This is especially helpful to preschool children who get glue on their hands and do not want to wash and rub under hot water for long periods of time.  Rub hands with the grounds then wash as usual. 

Coffee grounds also help take away smells from your hands (but you still need to follow up with soap and water.)  It can also be used to scrub pans from crusted on food (also see orange bags).  Rub the pan before running water or washing with the grounds.  Then wash as usual. 

Additionally, coffee grounds also make great compost; worms love them!

©Marie Boyum

4-4-11