Parents and children

Almost nothing I see people buying these days is actually necessary. Are people so blind to advertisements that they really think that they need all this crap? Is it like this all across the world, or just in North America? Frightening to think about, no wonder all of our resources are dwindling. People think that changing little things here and there will help, and sure it does a little. But to save what we have left and restart, we really need to rethink our spending and living habits.

Kids out there are getting junk they don't need for holidays that mean nothing to them, stressing out the parents who need to work extra hours or not buy something they may need just to make junior happy. When did children take control of the world? If the kid isn't happy, it'll make him/her grow some character, patience and respect. From what I see on a day to day basis, parents have lost their backbones. This is a serious problem.

If you are a parent, and you know that when your child is unhappy, what do you do? If your answer is "anything to make him/her happy", it's wrong. Children should know what it feels like to be unhappy, sad, disappointed. It's all a part of growing up to be balanced. You should never be afraid to say no to ANYONE, least of all your own child. Remember that sometimes saying no will help them, even if they kick and scream for the time being. I have faith.

New enviro-ish stuff at MCD

So, at the old MCD we have a few earth happy changes that have happened! Surprised? Me too.

Our new take out bags are made from 30% post-consumer recycled paper (as opposed to 20%)

We have an actual recycle box for paper and drink cans/bottles that is being used semi-properly.

I also seem to have raised other peoples awareness of their junk consumption, which is nice.

Good things can happen, slowly but surely.

Take Back The Filter!

Brita filters are a fabulous thing and way to drink tap water while also ensuring that you're not drinking any nasty bits. However, their filters are non-recyclable here in North America, but they are in the UK. If you think this should change, sign this petition along with me and several other North Americans to tell Clorox (North America's Brita's owner) that we want to be able to recycle these things.

Sign the petition at www.takebackthefilter.org

Idea

I was laying in bed last night, unable to sleep for whatever reason, thinking of how painfully plastic dependant MCD really is. It's painful working a 9 hour shift, and seeing how much "garbage" is being put in the compactor for disposal to a landfill. I was thinking that I'm going to send of a few letters to higher up corporate people, several per person I think, to try to make them see the error of their ways. If I could just quit and screw the company over, that would be ideal but I would feel terrible as I have made many friends there. But if I can get them to change... That would be even better I think.

Today I think I will.

One week in

One week into Buy Nothing Month, and I am in the clear. I haven't bought anything disposable or unnecessary aside from some food. Here's hoping that I can keep going strong throughout the whole month.

Reading other blogs has opened my eyes to how EVIL plastic really is. Throughout this month, I am also from now on pledging to consume (buy) as little plastic as humanly possible. Hard to believe that there is plastic lining to aluminum soda cans, and glass bottle lids all have plastic to seal in the liquid. How painfully depressing. My trek for eco-safety is going to get very expensive, so it's a good thing that I'm going to be saving so much money on not buying anything this month.