Sunday, August 2

Post from the past: Green by example

For the past two weekends my husband has been manning the coach’s sign up table at our local little league sign-ups. Since he knew he was going to be there for a few hours he took his Klean Kanteen stainless steel water bottle filled with water. He was surprised at how many people commented on the bottle and asked him where he got it. He so kindly gave me credit and directed them to my blog. I truly feel that this is one of the best ways to increase others awareness about eco issues, by being green yourself.
I spoke with my mother yesterday (she lives a few states away from me) and she told me that she has converted 2 people to reusable bag users! She said that she takes her bags every where she goes and has got my aunt and a co-worker of hers to do the same. Once people see that reusable bags are not just for grocery shopping, that they are so much easier to carry than plastic or paper bags and that they hold so much more, people will usually switch. Thanks mom for spreading the word across the miles!

Last week I stopped at the pharmacy to pick up some probiotics for my daughter (which, by the way, worked like a charm and got her bathroom trips back down to 1 a day but that is a different post) and I forgot my reusable bags. Since I was only buying 1 item I thought that I could just carry it out, without a bag. The lady at the counter said that I could not do that and was insisted on giving me a plastic bag. I was equally insisted on not using a plastic bag and was able to place the item in my purse, bag free.

The other day I stopped at Subway for dinner (3 out of 4 of us in my household were sick and making dinner was the last thing we wanted to do plus you can’t beat $5 foot long sandwiches but I digress) and I handed the cashier my reusable bag and asked her to please put the sandwiches in it. The puzzled look on her face was priceless. She became even more puzzled when I told her that I did not want napkins or a spoon (for my soup) because I was just going home to eat. The customers in line were equalized puzzled by my actions. I am not sure why. A bag is a bag right?

These actions may not seem big but I am a firm believer in “Every little bit helps”. If we all do a little bit, it really can add up to a big bit (you know what I mean) and if, through my actions, I can increase awareness and maybe even get one person to do one small green thing then I feel better!

Lastly, I wanted to share with you how extremely honored I was when my favorite Green and Clean Mom featured one of my posts on her Blog: Clean the roads. It was like having my own 5 minutes of fame!

5 comments:

Willo said...

Good for you! I totally agree. I trying to change the tides of people at my Y with reusable bottles!

Over Coffee - the green edition said...

Thanks Willo! Have you seen that commercial about plastic bottles in a gym? It says something along the lines of "20 minutes in a gym 120 yrs in our landfill". Probably a slight exaggeration but one that gets the point across.

LissaL said...

Good for you! I am not near where I want to be in my efforts to be green but I am trying. One day at a time:)

Anonymous said...

Congrats Lena! Great article, you certainly earned your five minutes of fame or more!

Over Coffee - the green edition said...

Thanks Lissa! I am not close to where I want to be either but every day I get a little closer. Just like you said, one little change a day a week or even a month and before you know it you will be there.

Thanks Greengirl! I appreciate your support. I get so excited about these things. BYW, I love your new button. Very cute!