WHAT WERE ONCE VICES ARE NOW SAVING THE PLANET
by Cathy Donnelly
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posted Jan 2 2010 6:35AM
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Funny, how perception can change things. Years ago, I was accused of being CHEAP for refusing to buy plastic diapers or baby food, for re-using paper towels, plastic bags, or those aluminum dishes you get with pies and breads you buy. In fact I was a hippie for making my OWN bread (and that was before those bread-maker things). I was an Evil Mom for packing sandwiches instead of letting my kids eat those fat-and-sodium laden Lunchables. Catching rainwater in a bucket to water the garden is NOW called "rainwater harvesting". Buy your clothes at a thrift store? You must be some kind of freak. I've been turning used paper upside down and sticking it back in the printer since 1996. I've been using the comic sections of Sunday papers to wrap presents since the 70's. Composting kitchen scraps and yard waste since forever. NOW it's all about recycling and re-using. Suddenly instead of a cheap, nasty miser, I'm a freakin' hero.
And here's a perception that needs to change...it should not cost MORE to be green-friendly. There are plenty of companies out there that are more than willing to take your money for a greener alternative you can probably make at home, for one-tenth the cost. No, it's not ALL about money but being cheap and being green can go hand-in-hand, if you are just willing to invest a little time.
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