Day 5: June 21, 2007 - The World in Three Parts

PART I:

Imagine if the world were based on the meeting of real needs rather than profit.
-Jesse '06



PART II:

Our effort to make tonight's monthly Community Dinner waste-free was quite successful. I'm sure a few people that really love 3 square meals on cardboard paper plates, styrofoam bowls, and plastic cups, and plastic utensils--all of which they throw away afterwards--and missed that this evening, but for the most part, the Hands On folks and the Community Members were appreciative of our efforts to prevent the immediate trashing of 120 sets of "disposable" (wasteful and costly) eating materials. To do this, I went out to the Thrift Store and other massive chain cheap stores (NOT the horribly unethical wal-store) and purchased plates and cups. We then put out a bin of hot soapy water to collect the pastic utensils, which can definitely be used again and again, until they break. In fact, you're probably ingesting many fewer chemicals and bleaches when you used a plastic utentsil that has been washed.
Permanent plates
Permanent cups
Permanent mugs
Reusing the plastic utensils
Recycling any drink bottles
Collecting food waste in a garbage bin (non-meat food waste collected for the compost bin by the Hands On garden)

WHY have a waste-free dinner??
-Fewer landfills, more playgrounds!
-Saves trees & other natural resources
-Composting makes healthy soil for gardens
-Saves you $$$!
-Conservation is cool
-It takes lots of oil to create plastic (+ puts lots of chemicals into the air) and it doesn't decompose :(
-It's a step towards mindful comsumption :)

I have to say it. I was genuinely PISSED OFF and frustrated at the wasteful consumption that goes on at this place. And it felt magical to make this happen.



PART III:

I think it's really important to be in close relationships with all kinds of people. -Jesse '06