"Acceptance and surrender move us forward on this journey."
I am aware, ackowledge and more importantly accept my character defects. I even accept them in other individuals. Yet it is not my job to take their inventory. I have to take my own on a daily basis. Once I accepted my character defects I began to work on them. For many of them, I surrendered and this has allowed me to move into a better place. A place where there is peace, serenity and joy. I love nature. Whenever I see something out of place in nature, whether it is an aluminum can, paper cup or anything, I accept and forgive the person who might have done it. I surrender and have no expectations of others-- I just move forward and pick it up.
This is what recycling is all about!
Do you care about the environment? In reality do you care about Earth Mother? Do you take care of your plants? Do you grow any herbs? Do you feed the birds? Are you part of any advocacy group for protecting the environment?
The real question is do you recycle? There are smaller cities in the United States, like Suffolk Virginia where recycling is in high gear. I feel if a little town like Suffolk can recycle why can't other communities recycle?
About 3 years ago, Rick and I opened a store in Cherry Grove called Simply Green. It was a green friendly store. Our aim was to educate residents about using 'green products', composting and recycling. As with every community or town there is bureaucratic red tape also known as 'bullshit'. If it cost a resident to recycle their answer would be no. We tried to recycle and even placed a recycling can outside the store. Some residents did their job and some didn't care. Of course, the store was a personal success for us, and for some members of the community, but for others it didn't matter. We have 'let it go' and moved on. We recycle in our Cherry Grove home by bringing it to NYC and placing it in recycling bins there. It is a small price to pay for keeping Earth Mother safe and sound.
What can you recycle? You can recycle steel, tin and aluminum cans, glass bottles, #1 and # 2 plastic bottles including water, shampoo, detergent, lotion and milk containers. You can also recycle mixed paper; cereal and snack boxes; and any cardboard as long as it is grease free and has been flattened. Only shredded as opposed to cross cut--paper can be recycled.
You cannot recycle aerosol cans, plastic bags, motor oil, Styrofoam, electronics, wood products, paint cans, yard waste and containers that hold corrosive substances, like bleach.
You do not have to rinse the containers. Just empty them as best as you can We want to make this simple. Bagging is not recommended. This why in places like Suffolk Virginia provided green and blue bins to the residents to encourage recycling. Items in bags cannot be recognized and sorted automatically. This makes it harder as then the items have to hand sorted. Plastic grocery bags, Ziploc bags and shrink bags are not recyclable.
Recently caps on plastic bottles can be recyclable so no need to take them off.
Recycling creates jobs for the community. I feel communities like Cherry Grove Fire Island should have a recycling incentive program for residents so more will consider this. We would just have to get the Brookhaven officials on board. I believe we could offer each resident 50-75 points for every time they recycle. As points accumulate they can be redeemed for coupons at the island grocery store, some local bars and restaurants and even the island ice cream store. The restaurants and the local island bars should also have incentive to recycle. Of course as in any small summer community, some hands must be 'greased' with some green, but think of the environmental benefits.
Recycling diverts the waste to landfills. It is environmentally friendly.
Talk to the community/town you reside in for the summer or during the year. Take action to save the environment.
Until tomorrow...
