but i've finally decided that i don't actually need the CD, and downloading it from iTunes will be just the same. when i have money again i'm investing in a backup drive for the "if something happens to your computer" factor. now i've eliminated the piece of plastic from ever ending up in the landfill, the production waste, and the transportation waste from getting it to the store, and the waste from me driving there to pick it up. of course, i'm down to buying maybe 6 CDs a year, and more individual songs off iTunes, so its really only saving 6 pieces of plastic a year.
i look at everything in terms of it's (perceived) environmental footprint these days. i've been doing it for awhile, not just since the LEED test. if i'm standing at the store and there are two products in front of me that are fairly similar, i pick the one with less packaging to it. i like this one scent of method soap, but the one store i can actually find it at only carries it in the single containers, not in the big refill bags, so i don't buy it. i buy the big refill bags (less plastic waste going to the landfill.)
the only reason you'll ever see me throw away a bottle or a can is because out here i know that homeless people go through every single garbage can there is to collect them for the bottle deposits. (btw- what a great way to make sure everything gets recycled.)
i see a lot of crap at stores that i think should be illegal to even be made, because it's cheap crap with a 2 week lifespan, and will just end up in the landfill. i had to buy a new iron tonight, and i wanted to get an expensive one that i know will last awhile, but unfortunately i couldn't swing it. so i ended up with a cheap one that i know will break in a year (see reason i was buying a new iron- another item going to the landfill.)
sometimes it gets tiring to think through every purchase this way, but at least someone does.
you don't even want to hear my thoughts on landfills.
2 comments:
yes, plastic packaging can be sooo obnoxious. i commend you for your efforts. i recently chose a carpet cleaner based on its green packaging. and ditto on the homeless bottle thing in boston. last year i finally started using a reusable bag for groceries.
on the LEED topic, have you ever seen the movie "the greening of southie?" there's probably nothing in it that's a surprise to you, but to us laypeople it was pretty fascinating.
HMMM.... regulations on Shelf life vs. after life for products. Good idea. It would be a complicated calculation, but have you running all the way to the bank! Nice!
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