One Woman’s Inconvenient Journey to Going Green

“Going green” is a phrase that you see everywhere. Everyone seems to be jumping on the green bandwagon. I am actually struggling to get on it myself. I really want the world to be better for my kids and their kids (one day way down the road!). So I am trying to do my part.

Unfortunately “going green” can have its inconveniences. As a child growing up, we always ate on paper plates. My mom worked and there were five of us kids, so she did what she could to make her job easier and washing a few less dishes was a help. I have carried on the tradition of the paper plate. I work full time and have two small messy children and paper plates are just easy, plus I really, really hate washing dishes. A couple of weeks ago we ran out of paper plates and I decided not to even put it on my grocery list. I have made the decision to put away the paper plate and bring out the china. Well, it’s not really china, but it will break if you drop it. There aren’t that many more dishes to wash, but I am making everyone else in the house help out more just the same. Hey, someone has to pick up the slack.

Another “green” thing we are doing at my house is recycling. I was very excited when the City of Shreveport started picking up recycling at the curb. I had never done much recycling before so I was ready to jump in. What I didn’t realize is that there is work involved in recycling. We always make sure to rinse all of our bottles, cans, and jars with water so the recycle bin doesn’t start to smell like the trashcan. The ones that are really ooey-gooey go through the dishwasher. Yes, even more dishes. We keep the recycle bins in the kitchen so if I have a shampoo bottle in the bathroom I have to make a special trip to the kitchen just to throw it away. I know that sounds lazy, but I do know people that won’t recycle things just for that reason.

I also have gotten real big into reusable bags. I have the big ones for my groceries and I have a couple of small ones that fold up and go in my purse and my car. The biggest problem I am having with them is that I forget them! I will put the bags in my car in the front seat and still forget to bring them in the store. Most times I will leave my cart and go back to get them, but sometimes I just do the plastic. Then of course, I feel very guilty about it afterwards.

Being “green” is something that you have to work yourself into. At least it is that way for me. But if I am going to try and make the planet a better place for my kids then I am going to have to do my part and be a good example for them. It may have its inconveniences but I know it is worth it when my 3-year-old asks me “Does this go in the trash or the cycle bin?”

~Raydra