Day 5 - 238 -- Sorting at Home

The day contained time for several jobs around the house. The new fluorescent bulbs were changed out for the old ones. Within a minute of being turned on, the gases in the new bulbs begin to dance and a scary buzzing -- not a hum, but a crackle that sounds like a short. Needless to say, that isn't what is needed, so old bulbs back in and only one of them seems to light <sigh>. Back to the hardware store tomorrow to see what else can be done. Several other small tasks were completed. A larger job was to sort paper piles from work and home. This involved sorting much like has been occurring at the office -- a bag for recycling, a pile for shredding and a much edited pile for files.

Tomorrow evening I put out the recycling for curbside pick up early Tuesday morning. This provincially legislated waste management system diverts tons of waste from landfill. If all provinces instituted this type of process, the world would be improved. Reducing  the amount of waste is key -- as with use of fewer single use plastics. Reuse any recyclable products as possible. An often ignored 'R' is refuse -- use reusable bags and containers for shopping. Recycling is important, but it isn't enough on its own. There needs to be less of the materials overall. I have been part of greening offices and my home since the 1970s with a major up tick in the world's attention in the 1990s and again in the 2010s -- seems about every generation or 20 years behaviours change. If we could sustain that change, things might improve. Here, I truly believe the actions of an individual do matter. If one of us composts (also legislated for curbside pickup here) all the vegetable and fruit trimmings and cores, that is a lot less going to a landfill operation. If we can convince one or two others to do the same, and they do the same, then more far more nutrients will be converted to compost to grow plants. Small changes can lead to larger impacts.

A song that fit my thoughts as I sorted through the files and papers today involves many artists. The recording supports caring for the environment through a positive message. Enjoy!

Love Song to the Earth -- Paul McCartney, Natasha Bedingfield, Colbie Caillet, Sean Paul, & others