tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25987874.post476995182172280510..comments2023-10-05T06:20:40.173-04:00Comments on Quaker Pagan Reflections: What to Do About Plastic: Watermelon Pickles and String Too Short To SaveCat C-B (and/or Peter B)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10002916434676859262noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25987874.post-89360618056961148462009-01-03T08:30:00.000-05:002009-01-03T08:30:00.000-05:00Ah, good to know. Reminds me of the disposable na...Ah, good to know. Reminds me of the disposable nappies vs reusable nappies study, which assumed all sorts of strange things about how people actually use the latter.<BR/><BR/>Our house doesn't have room for a dishwasher, anyway!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25987874.post-65281070083396687752009-01-02T17:32:00.000-05:002009-01-02T17:32:00.000-05:00Ah, yes... the famous dishwasher study. There is ...Ah, yes... the famous dishwasher study. There is only one, it turns out and it is seriously flawed. For more information on how, see my comment immediately after my previous post, where I discuss <A HREF="http://quakerpagan.blogspot.com/2008/06/lifestyle-changes-or-how-my-kitchen.html" REL="nofollow">ending the use of the dishwasher in our house</A>. <BR/><BR/>The study that everyone seems to have heard about (I can only guess that the only thing mainstream media like more than a man-bites-dog story is failing to question an industry-sponsored press release) actually looked only at water consumption--not energy consumption. It also compared the most efficient model dishwasher on the market with the least efficient means of hand-washing dishes.<BR/><BR/>I suppose since everyone wanted to believe they didn't have to work harder to save energy, the story got something of a free pass... but it's a truly flawed study. Common sense turns out to be right yet again!<BR/><BR/>Ah, well. I've discovered that washing dishes by hand keeps me warm in the winter, anyway, something my dishwasher never did!Cat C-B (and/or Peter B)https://www.blogger.com/profile/10002916434676859262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25987874.post-84617255968875364242009-01-02T16:43:00.000-05:002009-01-02T16:43:00.000-05:00Agreed, agreed, and agreed. It's amazing how one ...Agreed, agreed, and agreed. It's amazing how one thing leads to another. <BR/><BR/>I was, though, under the impression that studies had shown the dishwasher to be more energy and water efficient than washing by hand.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25987874.post-8773798473422649172008-12-17T12:44:00.000-05:002008-12-17T12:44:00.000-05:00And for more on "compostable" plastic, or PLA, you...And for more on "compostable" plastic, or PLA, you might want to visit Beth's post, <A HREF="PLA%20goes%20in%20the%20Waste%20Basket%20and%20Why%20You%20Should%20Bring%20Your%20Own%20(non%20plastic)%20Cup%20to%20the%20(fair%20trade)%20Coffee%20Shop" REL="nofollow">PLA goes in the Waste Basket and Why You Should Bring Your Own (non plastic) Cup to the (fair trade) Coffee Shop</A>, also at <A HREF="http://peacefrog08.blogspot.com/" REL="nofollow">Peace Frog</A>.Cat C-B (and/or Peter B)https://www.blogger.com/profile/10002916434676859262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25987874.post-24105037100879686352008-12-16T13:26:00.000-05:002008-12-16T13:26:00.000-05:00Great post, Cat. I've been having these same conve...Great post, Cat. I've been having these same conversations with myself over the last couple of years, trying to be more intentional about what I buy and consume. I once did a little experiment with chewing gum and breath mints. Easy, right? Far from it! This one experiment showed me how much we have become accustomed to over-packaging and waste. I think I found a good resolution in going back to purchasing the rolls of breath mints in the foil/paper wrappers. I'm also trying to buy as much locally produced food in order to cut down on shipping expenses and to help support local families rather than corporations. <BR/><BR/>I've also learned you never "arrive" at a place where all purchases are in complete harmony with the environment. At least not until the society changes as a whole. That's still a ways off.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25987874.post-15284419837908274682008-12-15T15:22:00.000-05:002008-12-15T15:22:00.000-05:00books are my viceAnd mine... which leads me to one...<I>books are my vice</I><BR/><BR/>And mine... which leads me to one of the hardest mental struggles I have ever come upon with regards to matters environmental - to Kindle or not to Kindle?<BR/><BR/>Buying an iPod for my other emotional necessity was a no-brainer: all commercially released music comes in and on plastic anyway, and Apple is no more rapacious than most of the major record companies, so buying one small plastic thingy and then buying my music in download format was an obvious win on the less-plastic front. Books are MUCH harder.<BR/><BR/>Setting aside the purely personal arguments - tactile sensation, emotional satisfaction (the Kindle has none, books have tons o'), or financial considerations (e-books being frequently cheaper than new paper books, although I do buy almost all my books used anyway) - on a purely ecological front, is the Kindle a better option than taking down tons of trees each year?<BR/><BR/>I don't know.Erikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08084509066376979793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25987874.post-59251098901617239652008-12-15T14:51:00.000-05:002008-12-15T14:51:00.000-05:00These two entries are great, Cat. This is somethin...These two entries are great, Cat. This is something I've been thinking a lot about over the year. Last week, I gave a presentation in my class about bottled water. But you present so much here that I didn't know. Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25987874.post-41274297852529166832008-12-15T12:48:00.000-05:002008-12-15T12:48:00.000-05:00Want more ideas on what to do? See my friend Beth...Want more ideas on what to do? See my friend Beth's suggestions on Peace Frog, <A HREF="http://www.peacefrog08.blogspot.com/2008/12/we-make-choice-everytime-we-buy.html" REL="nofollow">We Make a Choice Every Time We Buy Something</A>.<BR/><BR/>Remember, as in the ecosystem, everything is related. And this is not cause for overload, but for celebration: so often, doing what is right in one part of your life will create openings to do more <I>in the way that's right for you</I> in other parts of your life.<BR/><BR/>Blessings!Cat C-B (and/or Peter B)https://www.blogger.com/profile/10002916434676859262noreply@blogger.com