All or Nothing? A Recycling Obsession

I am developing an "All or Nothing" attitude with regards to living more naturally and respecting my environment and our planet. My journey began with converting from disposable diapers to cloth diapers in order to reduce the massive amount of waste I would produce by diapering twins. One thing quickly led to another and our we decided that if we're going to save thousands of diapers from the landfills then surely we should be recycling as well.

I ordered the recyclable collection containers and we began throwing our cans in, next it was cereal boxes, beer boxes, and other paper food boxes. It felt good to drag my full container to the curb for collection. Then we moved on to baby food jars, lids, soup cans, jars, toilet paper rolls, and laundry detergent containers...

Well, as you can imagine we ran out of space and had to start using three collection containers. The problem is that now I can hardly bring myself to throw anything away. I examine the garbage as I walk past and scold my husband when I find a recyclable item carelessly discarded. What is the point if you are going to recycle one thing and not another?

I now feel obsessed or possessed! I can hardly hold my tongue when we visit other peoples houses and I see them tossing bottles, cans, boxes, etc. I am only a few events away from pulling them from the garbage and taking them home in a bag. I even consider stopping when I see large plastic items along the street on garbage day. I think to myself how easy it would be to stop and take them home to be recycled but I don't.

Has anyone else found this to be a sort of obsession or compulsion? What lengths would you go to?

Submitted by geishagirrrl (view blog

) on Sun, 12/30/2007 - 21:11

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Once a friend asked me...

In my youth, I smoked cigarettes. Once a friend came to visit, and asked me why I threw the cigarette butt out the window. I'll admit it: at the time, her question made me angry and defensive. When I reflect back, though, I remember that it wasn't asked with a righteous tone or a sense of judgment. She just wanted to know if I had thought about it and if it was something I cared about. And you know what? I didn't throw butts out the window anymore after that. (Then, later, I quit. Go me.)

People want to think good things about themselves. Environmental issues get enough media coverage that I doubt anyone wants to think of herself as a polluter or bad for the environment. Use this to your advantage!

The next time the occasion presents itself, I would suggest asking your friends, in the most Pollyannaish, I'd-love-to-help-out, sincere tone of voice you can muster, if they are planning to recycle their water bottles (or whatever). And if they aren't, then this is the clincher: admit publicly that you are freakish. "I know it's bizarre, but I have this compulsive recycling habit. Mind if I take those cans to the recycling center?" or "I know where there's a recycling bin."

Who's going to say "No, you can't recycle my bottle! I want the Earth to melt and die!" So long as you aren't compromising your health, safety or personal relationships for recycling, what's the problem? Go ahead and pull over!

Submitted by laurenbpgh on Wed, 01/02/2008 - 18:05

Keep it buttoned.

I am the same way. Once, I drove an empty glass gallon apple juice jug from New Hampshire back home to Florida because NH didn't recycle and I couldn't bring myself to throw it away. I have also put plastic bottles in my car to recycle at home. Your attitude is great, but try to bite your tongue while at friends' houses if it's a casual visit. (Don't look in the trash) Just set a good example and hope that others will follow. HOWEVER, if the friend is having a party, I don't see anything wrong with offering beforehand to take the recyclables when the party is over. I think that would be a case where the friend would see the benefit (less waste) and perhaps even encourage her to start recycling.

Susan
Papergeist

Submitted by Papergeist on Wed, 01/09/2008 - 11:09

Recycling has its down side

Hi. Recycling is good, but I don't believe it's the final answer. Reducing our consumption is better than recycling. Please check out this video posted on my blog about what happens to some of the plastic we recycle. It's really heartbreaking...

http://www.fakeplasticfish.com/2008/01/week-29-results-26-oz-of-plastic-making.html

Beth Terry
http://www.fakeplasticfish.com

Submitted by bethfly on Fri, 01/11/2008 - 04:04