Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Yesterday I took my kids to Michael’s to look for some crafty things to make Valentine’s for the upcoming holiday.   Of course they wanted everything that we did not need. 

In the spirit of the Zero Waste Home, (http://zerowastehome.blogspot.com) I considered making my own potato stamps and using paint that we already have to let the kids stamp their valentine’s onto paper that we have around the house. 

I would like to think that our life in the RV would be relatively free of this unsightly aspect of civilization.  And while I am sure most parks are clean and tidy, I know from experience that they can also be convenient places to discard unwanted items.  Last year we spent three nights in Grand Canyon National Park and unfortunately the trail was littered with things that people did not want to carry out once they got it into the steep walls of the canyon.  We picked up what we could but the volume was insurmountable for the steep climb. 

I am tempted to return the items I purchased at Michael’s.  As I run and walk around my neighborhood I see and pick up litter almost on a daily basis.  This morning my neighbors’ garbage cans were full and overflowing.  Through the clear plastic bags I could see beer cans, cardboard boxes and plastic water bottles.  These items are all recyclable and if only they would recycle they would find that their garbage would fit neatly in the can.  Once in the can it would not blow down the hill into the bushes with the wind, or attract the local vermin.  More on what I am doing in my community about this later.