Earth Day 2024, Lubbock: Let's Talk Plastics & Recycling (and a spoon)

 The theme for Earth Day 2024 is Planet versus Plastic. And it is a significant and worthy theme for a year where we've become immensely more aware of how pervasive plastic pollution has become in our oceans, our foods, and even our bodies. It's also a year when another study has revealed how deeply we've been led astray with our hopes in plastic recycling.

My favorite infographic ever - Find it here.

Let's get practical and to the point. Plastic recycling is not a viable approach as a long-term solution. Plastic is deeply embedded in almost everything we produce and consume. Continuing to rely heavily on plastic will continue to make the environment in which we live more toxic and will make it continually harder for humans to live.

Please take a minute, look around you, and see what in your immediate surroundings contains plastic. (It can be a little overwhelming.)

Now, look over that list and see where you could use another (more sustainable) material/item.

Our spoon infographic is a great place to start. We already have a plethora of non-plastic spoons in the world. How can we move forward with our existing spoons? For starters, you can carry one with you. Then you can refuse the plastic spoon you'll be offered with your next meal or beverage. Or you can take it further. You can seek out places that will offer you a non-plastic spoon to use. You can use it and leave it behind for them to wash and serve to another customer.

Is this a sustainable solution? Yes, but it has to become consistent and widespread. So teach/encourage  your children, your parents, your friends, your co-workers, and even the well-meaning people who try to give you a plastic spoon to try a similar approach.

And explain why you're doing it.

Be specific in telling them why. To get personal, I started Mesquite Hugger because I love nature and wanted to promote a healthy environment; however, I consider people to be part of that environment. So, I can look people in the eye and truthfully tell them I carry my own spoon (or whatever thing I'm encouraging) because I love people and want them to thrive.

For some reason, it's a lot easier to argue with a tree hugger than it is with a people hugger. I guess it's because we have a lot more in common with people than trees. 

To be truthful, I hug a whole lot more people than I do mesquite trees. If you're reading this, I love you more than any tree. Period. That's it. So, try to cut back on plastic. It's killing us!

A few more places to you can start:

• Carry your own: cup, grocery bag, water bottle, etc.
• Recycle plastic yourself! If you have a toaster oven or heat press, you can recycle #2 plastic at home - but please be careful (and share pics of your success)
• Buy recycled products!

PS. Recycled toilet paper is not recycled toilet paper. It's regular paper recycled into toilet paper. (People get grossed out when I encourage them to purchase recycled toilet paper.)

PPS. Please continue to recycle items like paper, cardboard, tin metal, and aluminum. Let's keep using what we have in the system rather than digging up more minerals or cutting down more trees.

As always, thanks for stopping by! Please know that I am praying for you to be well and better!

(and give yourself a hug from me ;-)

Know Your Triangles - Plastic Recycling in Lubbock

So, you've been thinking to yourself, Well, gee, maybe I need to look into this recycling thing that all the kids keep going on and on about.

In our annual survey this year, we figured out that less than 25% of our readers recycle plastic at all.

Step 1: Sort your plastics. Look for the triangle and make sure you have a 1 or a 2. A triangle with any other number inside is not recyclable in our system. Notice that the 2's need to be divided into opaque and colored varieties.

(Sidebar for those who want more detail, each number represents a different type of plastic. In the recycling process, plastics do not play well with others. #1 is PET or PETE - polyethylene terephthalate; #2 is HDPE - high-density polyethylene.)

Step 2: Remove all lids and remove easily removable labels.

Step 3: Find the appropriate blue dumpster at your nearest recycle location and drop your items in there.

Step 4: Bask in the glory of knowing that you have made one small step in making the world a better place for yourself and others, that you have lessened your country's need to extract more oil from the ground or purchase it from other countries, and that this Mesquite Hugger thinks you are great!

Step 5: Figure out a way to stop consuming so much plastic, snagit!

For more information on how and where to recycle in Lubbock, click here. Along with the city sites listed, you can also find recycling dumpsters at many United, Market Street, and Lowe's grocery stores.

May your actions improve rather than destroy.

Infographics? (Part 3) & Where to Recycle in Lubbock

Okay, I have teased you long enough. Here is the link to the whole infographic in all its glory!

 

The Truth About Plastic

 

And for those of you who would like to recycle in Lubbock, here are the city-operated locations an hours:

Lubbock Recycling Drop-Off Centers

(click the link for more detailed info)

(ONLY items properly prepared and sorted can be recycled!)

Hours of Operation
Monday-Saturday: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
* Closed during City of Lubbock Holidays

Drop-Off Locations
Southside: 1631 84th St.
West of Avenue P

Northside: 208 Municipal Dr.
4th Street Exit From I-27, Follow Road Signs
(Across from Meadowbrook Golf Course)

South Milwaukee: 7308 Milwaukee
(73rd & Milwaukee, west of the Water ground storage reservoir)

North Quaker: 4307 Adrian Street
(N. Quaker & Adrian, north of the Water ground storage reservoir)

There are also a few non-city-operation locations in town:
Market Street - 50th and Indiana (South of building)
United Supermarket - 82nd and Frankford (Northeast of building)
Lowe's Marketplace - 26th and Boston (West of building)

 

May you reduce, reuse, recycle, and rejoice!

 

Did I mention that I love infographics? (Part 2)

So, the last post was pretty dang depressing, but what can we do? The same infographic offers up some helpful tips.

 

These ten steps are pretty simple. If you're new to this, pick one and work on it for a week. Step #1 is a  very easy one to start with. And you don't always have to have a bag with you. If it's a small shopping trip (just a few items) just carry the stuff. Sure, most Lubbock retailers will look at you as though you have lost your mind when you say, "I don't need a bag," but it's great fun to see the looks on their faces. Also, purses, pockets, backpacks, and messenger bags are a great way to avoid plastic or paper bags. Plastic 5 gallon buckets work great too, but you will REALLY get the crazy looks then.

Plastic Bucket Tip: Many Lubbock restaurants throw away large quantities of 1-5 gallon plastic buckets. These buckets are extremely handy, and they are free. Just ask the manager if you can have some. Most are happy to hook you up. (And the pickle smell will eventually go away!)

 

Step 8: If you're like me, a cheap b-----d who is addicted to caffeine, step 8 will really appeal to you. Many places in town will offer you a discount if you bring your own cup, especially if you purchased it from them in the first place. Yellowhouse Coffee (Buy LOCAL!!!), Einstein Brothers, and Whichwich are three places in Lubbock that offer this discount. And many other places (Sip-n-Dip Donuts) don't mind at all if you bring your own.

 

 

May your list of things that you are thankful for overwhelm you. (If you take time to read this, consider yourself on my list - Thank you!)

Did I mention that I love infographics?

Some days it's a tough love affair. Take for instance yesterday. I ran across an infographic on plastic...

The keyboard upon which I type this is mostly plastic. As I glance around my desk, I notice that almost everything on the desk has a plastic component. Indeed, the desk itself has a significant amount of plastic. The stuff is everywhere.

 

So, if I am indeed average, I will throw away 75 tons of plastic over my lifetime. And I am middle-aged, so I have already thrown 33 tons away.

 

 

I walk a fair amount. Some days I carry a bag when I walk. The trash on the street is almost always recyclable. Paper, glass, aluminum, and plastic. Plastic is by far the most common trash I find - drink bottles.

Lots of drink bottles - Americans use 60 Billion per day.

 

 

So, how about that bag I carry?

 

It is truly staggering when you sit back and realize how many of us there are and how much each of us consumes.

 

 

[More tomorrow.]

 

May your day be filled with hope and may your actions reinforce that feeling.