Reality check

[shakkai]

Originally Posted by RoyalOrchids

You mean batteries are bad? Couldn't be, that would mean that all those hybrid vehicles are bad too. You evil hybrid companies! I say we force the battery companies to explore other forms of energy!

Yes, this is true - and one of the reasons we don't have a hybrid car... it would take longer than the reasonable lifetime of the car to 'pay back' the cost of manufacturing those hybrid cars.

Dust in the Wind: Hybrids' Total Energy Cost | Hybrid Cars

That said, if we don't/didn't start developing new technologies - and paying for them now - we won't have any alternative in future.



Ross, I've got a pony in my garage!! Trouble is, there isn't anywhere to 'park' them while you're at work! If that changes, I'd happily drive the pony instead of the car.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by shakkai

Ross, I've got a pony in my garage!! Trouble is, there isn't anywhere to 'park' them while you're at work! If that changes, I'd happily drive the pony instead of the car.

How is it, the Amish always seem to find a place to park the "pony"? Methinks they might have an answer for us if we'd listen.

[Ross]

As a totally useless factoid: "The average U.S. household throws out nearly a quarter of the fruits and vegetables they buy. For a family of four, that adds up to about $500 each year, according to a study by the University of Arizona." Seems to relate here somehow!

[Jadeco]

Originally Posted by Ross

As a totally useless factoid: "The average U.S. household throws out nearly a quarter of the fruits and vegetables they buy. For a family of four, that adds up to about $500 each year, according to a study by the University of Arizona." Seems to relate here somehow!

*guilty*

[kiki-do]

OH! Did any of you see the special on Dateline not too long ago about people who collect food in dumpsters that has been thrown out of restaurants and grocery stores? They had a specific name but I can't remember. All I can think of is "Freegans" but that isn't it. The people doing that were from all walks of life...like doctors, engineers, college aged young adults, etc. They explained that these places throw so much produce and food stuff out because of dates on the package (say that day's date) that people scoff the stuff up and supply their frig with eggs, salads, breads, canned goods (thrown if dented), and tons of meats, etc. Packages were in tact, but dates were a day old or something. This segment was shown in NYC but it happens all over the USA. It also said the US are the worse for wasting. Very interesting show.
The people who raid these dumpsters are doing it because they are against wasting good food...not because they can't afford to buy the food on the shelves. They also shop Goodwills and Secondhand Stores.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by kiki-do

OH! Did any of you see the special on Dateline not too long ago about people who collect food in dumpsters that has been thrown out of restaurants and grocery stores? They had a specific name but I can't remember. All I can think of is "Freegans" but that isn't it. The people doing that were from all walks of life...like doctors, engineers, college aged young adults, etc. They explained that these places throw so much produce and food stuff out because of dates on the package (say that day's date) that people scoff the stuff up and supply their frig with eggs, salads, breads, canned goods (thrown if dented), and tons of meats, etc. Packages were in tact, but dates were a day old or something. This segment was shown in NYC but it happens all over the USA. It also said the US are the worse for wasting. Very interesting show.
The people who raid these dumpsters are doing it because they are against wasting good food...not because they can't afford to buy the food on the shelves. They also shop Goodwills and Secondhand Stores.

I think that's Gleeners or something like that. That's great. Too bad it doesn't make a huge diff. on our land fills.

[Dorothy]

I saw that Kiki - they were Freegans .. The US wastes so much .. it's a sin !

[Becky15349]

I never, ever use plastic bags. I take my canvas bags everywhere I go. I studied chemistry in school and am very much aware (and disgusted) about what happens to plastic bags in the soil when they begin to discintegrate. I also studied horticulture, and I know what these polycarbons do in the soil and how they make it impossible to grow anything. It sickens me, and I'm sad for the earth. Apparently, no one thought of the huge impact it would have on our planet when they created all these terrible things.

[shakkai]

Some interesting ideas and information so far...

Here are a couple more:
Ecover United Kingdom - biodegradation

As for plastics, I think we will eventually be forced to live without them, as they are petroleum by products, and when petroleum gets even more expensive, you will see the 'cheap, disposable plastic bag' disappear.

[Dorothy]

Aren't they making bags out of corn nowadays?
I thought I saw them advertised on TV.
You don't want to know how plastics leach into food and cause hormonal problems in people (Plastic baby bottles are a big culprit) .. They originally found this out by the deformed and sexually-mutated frogs living in ponds riddled with polycarbons.
I wrap things in wax paper if they go into plastic .. I try not to have plastic touch my food at all
or use Corningware and Pyrex ..
I don't use aluminum pots and take items out of aluminum containers.
I don't use antiperspirants (I use Tom's anti-deodorant if I need to .. otherwise I just shower )
I drink beverages in glass or waxed containers ..
I do try avoid plastics the best I can .. now I have to work on the baggie situation
It's mostly a non-food storage issue for me ..

Oh, and I don't own or use a microwave oven!