tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773804526237644951.post4422050261396662230..comments2023-04-10T00:32:20.351-07:00Comments on What Pigs Don't Know: My Green ConundrumJason Lackeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822923398198837296noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773804526237644951.post-3217830601205741462010-11-02T16:25:12.010-07:002010-11-02T16:25:12.010-07:00Annette,
Thanks for your comments. I think the cr...Annette,<br />Thanks for your comments. I think the crib sheet wrapping is a great idea. I always just "wrap" in reusable decorative bags, but I think a better way to go is with part of the actual gift acting as the wrapping. <br /><br />As for your compostable cutlery, that is a great idea. However, I immediately went to do some research because I'm fairly ignorant on the subject - and most of what I found says that compostable cutlery often doesn't break down - even in commercial high heat composters. Do you know which brand you used? I am curious to know how long it takes for them to break down in your pile. But if it would compost, I think that is an awesome way to go if you can't use silverware. -CarrieWhat Pigs Don't Knowhttp://www.pigsdontknow.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773804526237644951.post-52552596268319890072010-11-02T07:03:04.369-07:002010-11-02T07:03:04.369-07:00I started thinking more about this when I attended...I started thinking more about this when I attended a large baby shower and saw the literal mountains of wrapping paper, tissue paper, bows, ribbons, etc. that had to be bagged up and tossed afterwards. It pained me to watch and got me thinking about how to do better. <br /><br />The next shower I went to, I wrapped my gift in a crib sheet (also on the gift registry list) so there wouldn't be any waste (minus a piece of hemp to tie it together which I'm pretty sure is biodegradable). I got several, "Oh, that's a nice idea" comments afterwards. It's nice to put that thought in people's minds, but I doubt many (if any) will actually change their actions until it becomes more mainstream.<br /><br />I held a training for my work a few weeks ago which involved several cooking activities. I purchased paper plates and compostable cutlery, and brought a big bucket for everyone to toss their scraps into. Everyone seemed confused at first, but once they got the idea they seemed impressed. "You can compost these forks?!" At the end of the day I just tossed the whole bucket full on our compost pile.Annette Triplett @ CoMo Homesteadhttp://comohomestead.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773804526237644951.post-40604776468570054012010-10-22T06:09:47.785-07:002010-10-22T06:09:47.785-07:00Hi Carrie,
I admit that I don't take them to ...Hi Carrie,<br /><br />I admit that I don't take them to parties, but then I don't go to many parties, I just *have* parties - hey, strange now I come to think of it! (We have them in the Summer, when people can be out on the patio, because we too have a small house.) The kinds of parties I do go to are small ones, with the real cutlery and plates.<br /><br />My husband usually takes to my 5-year-old to bday parties. I'll suggest he takes our cutlery and a plate. O boy...Katrienhttp://blog.bolandbol.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773804526237644951.post-62323795920849802092010-10-20T15:06:30.410-07:002010-10-20T15:06:30.410-07:00Hi Katrien! Thanks for visiting! (I was born in ...Hi Katrien! Thanks for visiting! (I was born in Brookline, by the way!). <br /><br />Do you take the plates/glasses/cutlery to parties, or you use them when you have parties at your house? We have a small house and haven't done much entertaining other than maybe inviting 4 or 5 people in addition to our immediate family of 5. So I really haven't even had an occasion to buy paper plates, but that sounds like the way to go if we have to, especially since we're big composters around here. <br /><br />That's interesting that people wouldn't use the cloth napkins. I've become a big fan of them over the last year or two. We pick them up at garage/estate sales - they are very inexpensive that way. Plus my sister-in-law gave us some she made for Christmas last year, so that was a bonus. <br /><br />As for the paper towels, I'm with you there - it also takes us about 2 months to go through one roll. We usually only use them for cleaning the toilet. Haven't gotten over the "ick" factor of cleaning that thing with a reusable cloth yet! - CarrieWhat Pigs Don't Knownoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773804526237644951.post-67296351732086580912010-10-20T14:03:21.531-07:002010-10-20T14:03:21.531-07:00At parties - potlucks, birthday parties, for adult...At parties - potlucks, birthday parties, for adults and kids alike - I use the compostable paper plates (*and* I compost them, that's crucial, of course), "real" glasses and metal cutlery, which we once bought at IKEA (in the As Is section, about 300 pieces in a plastic bag, odds and ends they couldn't sell otherwise). <br /><br />So far so good. <br /><br />I also set out cloth napkins (got a whole bunch of them because that's what we use at dinner each day - we take two months to use one roll of paper towel). And I have to push people to use them. I absolutely refuse to give them the choice between cloth and paper, I just don't put the paper ones out. One day we had 56 people, mostly adults, over for a party and at the end of the evening 3 napkins had been used (by myself, DH, and Amie)! No one asked for a paper napkin - they know our "philosophies" - but no one used the cloth either. Suited me fine!katrien (Brooklinemama)http://blog.bolandbol.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773804526237644951.post-28019891432933560442010-10-19T17:35:50.916-07:002010-10-19T17:35:50.916-07:00Leigh -
I like the mug idea. That's not too ...Leigh - <br />I like the mug idea. That's not too pushy but gets the point across. As for washing & reusing plasticware, I'm definitely with your friend on that one. Haven't really done that with styrofoam, but then again I can't remember the last time I actually bought any styrofoam! -CarrieWhat Pigs Don't Knownoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773804526237644951.post-74195679076429133302010-10-02T11:24:34.524-07:002010-10-02T11:24:34.524-07:00I feel for you on this. It's something I strug...I feel for you on this. It's something I struggle with too. I agree though, there's a place and a way to make a point, and make it well. Sometimes the small things help. My folks are real big on this too, and started by bringing their own mugs to family get togethers. Some were curious as to why and asked. They accepted the reason without comment, but at the next family gathering, more people brought their own mugs. It was one small step, but it opened the door for a greater awareness. I have another friend, who washes and reuses all the styrofoam and plasticware!Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.com