Be Intentional

“Be intentional.” That is a phrase we mention a lot in my Sunday School class and I think it is something that bears repeating when it comes to choosing to live a more eco-conscious life. Every choice we make – whether it is with a purchase or an activity – is an opportunity to be intentional with going green. Sometimes it could be something big like not purchasing a vehicle that gets eight miles to the gallon or it could be small like refusing the proffered plastic straw when dining out. There is always a choice we can make and be intentional about it.

It is all well and good to say we want to live a greener lifestyle but if we don’t take action to do so, then what is the point? Sometimes it can be really easy choices, like bringing your lunch to work rather than driving somewhere to buy something (thus reducing your use of fossil fuels and emissions), meal planning so you don’t have to toss produce that spoiled before you were able to cook it, or even the simple act of bringing your own reusable bags to the grocery store rather than using the thin plastic bags.

When we were in Scotland a couple of years ago, I remember we had purchased a number of items from a store and they charged us five pence for a bag to put it all in. Apparently, that is a law all retailers there must follow. According to mygov.scot, “by law, all retailers in Scotland must charge a minimum of 5p for each new single-use carrier bag. The law came into effect on 20th October 2014 and the aim is to encourage bag re-use and reduce the amount of litter in Scotland. The charge applies to all single-use bags, including those made of paper, plastic, and some plant-based materials.” It’s very effective as the amount of litter we saw while in Scotland was very minimal and certainly not like the amount of trash we sadly see along our Texas highways and roads. That was something we also noticed in Germany, just how clean the roadways were. It is something our nation should certainly aspire to.

While I use the plastic Walmart (and HEB) bags as bathroom trashcan liners in addition to recycling them, I have acquired several reusable bags over the years that I keep around the house and a couple in the car because they come in handy for all sorts of things. I especially like using them to transport groceries from the car to the house because it means fewer trips and less risk of a bag splitting along the way. I am always looking for bags that stay open better though for the groceries. I will gladly accept suggestions if you have a favorite or go-to brand for your reusable bags!

When we were doing our grocery shopping Sunday afternoon, my husband pointed out compostable straws for sale. Our boys love using straws but I dislike the environmental impact they have. These would be a great item to try out to see how well they work and how well they compost. We host an annual pumpkin carving party in the fall and last year, we opted to use cutlery that were made from birch wood and plates made from sugarcane as a way to less the impact at the landfill as well as compliment our Scotland/Outlander theme. The plates held up just as well as styrofoam and the cutlery was a big hit with our guests… right along with our haggis, Scottish sausage rolls, whisky, and sugar cookies decorated like thistles, kilts, and the Scotland flag. We also like to compost the pumpkin guts if we can or salvage the seeds to put out for the birds.

Sometimes, though, people don’t consider the environmental impact of their celebratory activities. I was out for a walk the other day and noticed something sparkling in the grass. I’m always on the lookout for dropped change so I thought perhaps I would discover that sparkle had a value of 25 cents or maybe even 10 cents. I was not in luck, however, as it was merely one piece among many of a handful of glitter and those large confetti circles that had fallen to the ground. I suspect someone used those for a photo op where the subject in the photo blows a handful of glitter at the camera or they toss it in the air so it rains down upon them, sparkling like tiny falling diamonds in the photos. Here is an example of someone being intentional and not caring about the results of their choices.

While they will have their photos commemorating their achievement, highlighted with sparkles, they didn’t clean up the detritus that is now mingling with the dirt. Unfortunately, most glitter is made from plastic and since plastic doesn’t decompose the way natural fibers would, you can only imagine how long it will take for those fallen sparkles to disappear. (I did find an interesting New York Times article about how glitter is made, in case you are curious.) Just think… if they had opted for bubbles to add a sparkling element to their photos (or utilized computer programs like Photoshop), there wouldn’t be any lasting impact to the environment from their photo shoot. That would have been a great opportunity to be intentional and choose a greener option.

Another time where being intentional would have better consequences is with the releasing of balloons to commemorate some event. A dear friend of ours passed away a month or so ago and at her service, they released several shiny, pink, heart-shaped balloons that floated off in the breeze and higher into the heavens. While I can understand their desire to mark her passing in such a memorable fashion – and she really was a wonderful woman, well loved and kind hearted – those balloons they released will float and eventually land somewhere to breakdown and disintegrate, or be eaten by an animal which would in turn die, or just be litter in nature (a Forbes article discusses the negative impact they can have as well as some alternatives). Here is another instance where being intentional in going green with a decision may require a little thought but a greener alternative can be found that still honors the occasion while not damaging the planet. Releasing butterflies would be an excellent alternative to releasing balloons as they are pollinators and are beneficial to our world.

Today is a new day; be intentional to be green! We only have the one planet so let’s be good stewards with where we’re at. ~ Lacie ~