Living In A Sea Of Plastic - How Long Can You Hold Your Breath?

Did you know that scientists don't actually know how long it takes for plastic bags to breakdown?  Some reports say 10-20 years; others say hundreds of years.  Whatever the answer, both are too long.  We are all drowning in plastic!


I am just learning a bit about going green and my daughter is the one that has been teaching me.  We started several years ago with a bin from the county for recycled products.  This bin is picked up once a week.  This was her project but now that she has left for college, I am continuing with the program.  You know, I would not want to let her down and I feel I am at least contributing in some small way to help clean up our planet.


One thing I am now weaning myself on is the plastic bags.  They sure do come in handy and I am going to miss them but now every time I use one, I feel guilty.  They sure have been great for getting rid of the kitty litter (which I know is also bad) and bagging up onion peels and veggie skins. This one won't be easy for me but I know I need to give them up and eventually will over time.  I just need to figure out what to do with the kitty litter.  I clean my babies bin out every day and it makes for easy disposal.  I will start by going half and half -- half paper, half plastic and hopefully will be plastic bag free by the end of the year.  At least, it is something.


Some cities have already begun banning plastic bags and only allowing biodegradable plastic and paper bags.  With everything else going in the toilet all around us, it seems "Going Green" is gaining popularity among industries across the country and is the "in thing." Discontinuing the use of plastic bags at Target and CVS could save you bucks and save our planet at the same time. Click here for more information on the Target and CVS program.


I am moving away from plastic in other areas too. Yesterday, I purchased some tempered glass storage containers good for microwave use and freezer. My plan is to trash most all of the unorganized plastic-wear in our cabinets.  Every time I open the cabinet, a flood of plastic falls out on the floor and I can never find the appropriate lid to fit the container I want to use.


With all the hype about plastics exposed to heat and the threat of cancer, I no longer  heat foods in plastic containers in the microwave nor do I care to drink out of plastic water bottles that may have been left in the car too long and exposed to heat.  I am happy to report that I don't have to worry about buying bottled water any longer. We are installing a water softener which will purify our drinking water.


So, I am changing a bit and change can be good -- I am looking for more environmentally friendly products and will now purchase non-plastic water bottles to bottle my own water. I am not going green extreme but definitely making myself more aware of improvements I can make in my own household.


Keeping our planet safe isn't something that our daughter became aware of over the last few years.  She was born with this consciousness and awareness of the land around her and she always had a passion for making this planet a better place to live.  Little did I know it at the time of naming our daughter, Alexandra, that the name meant "Defender of Mankind or Helper."  Because of her and people like her, this planet will be a better place and we all should take note and start taking baby steps towards recycling so our grandchildren and their children have a safe environment to raise their kids.


Traditionally, children follow in their parents foot steps to do what is right -- which is a "good thing," but on this particular subject of helping and saving our planet, I am the follower. Now I ask myself "What would Alexandra do?" and I try to do the right thing.