There is a famous quote by Margaret Mead that says, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” I use this quote because we all need to realize the power we hold to affect change in our own communities. In particular, for this article, I want to discuss a few ways we can make positive changes regarding our buying habits and the businesses that we frequent.
We are all consumers, and our buying practices have tremendous power. Some of us consume more, and some of us less, but we all consume. In our purchasing, we have many choices. These may be whether we buy organic or conventionally grown food, or whether we buy in bulk or purchase single-use products. There are choices to be made all along the way and our choices influence the companies that provide the products. They will bend to the demand.
There were no reusable bags available in stores until there was a demand. There were few opportunities to buy in bulk until there was a demand. It is clear that we have been able to shape the changes that we wanted to see. We all have the ability to let businesses know what we want them to carry and we need to make our voices heard.
At Sedona Recycles, we would like to see a lot less packaging. You see it all the time: a plastic product encased in plastic and then attached to cardboard. Over-packaging is everywhere and is completely unnecessary. The plastic used in most packaging is of lower quality and usually ends up going overseas to an uncertain recycling fate. But we have the power to purchase items with less or no packaging, or to let the manufacturer know of our disapproval. It is up to us as consumers to make informed choices in everything we do and not accept the status quo.
We also have the power to choose where to shop and eat, and where to stay when traveling. For example, there is a restaurant I no longer patronize due to the amount of foam take-out containers they use. They are a local business with great food, but they package every individual item you order for take-out in a foam box or container. There are few places in the country that recycle foam packaging, and those that do allow no contamination from food. I am sure they use foam containers because they are cheap and easy to use, and they are not alone.
Another example of packaging that I avoid is compostable take-out containers and cutlery. If the restaurant cannot provide you with a location where they are composting the material, then it is being sent to the landfill. We, as consumers, have the ability to let these businesses know that we disagree with their choices or to no longer frequent their business. We need to educate our peers and give them the choice to listen to their customers or lose our business.
When staying at a hotel, check in your room for a recycling container. If there isn’t one, check with the front desk and find out why. Most hotels are becoming more environmentally aware when it come to water and energy use, but are forgetting the very real importance of recycling as a way to preserve natural resources and extend the lifespan of landfills.
We need to frequent those businesses that share our goals for a better environment and thank those that do. At the same time, let businesses that are not moving forward in a sustainable way know what you expect, and hopefully they will understand the importance of their customers’ opinions.
We all shape the communities that we live in, and we need our voices to be heard. Let’s be that small group of thoughtful committed citizens that change the world starting here at home.
For more tips and information on how to reduce waste at home and in the community, contact Sedona Recycles at (928) 204-1185 or visit www.sedonarecycles.org.
by Jill McCutcheon, Sedona Recycles
Sedona Red Rock News
July 15, 2015