What are we throwing away?
May 27th 2008 00:17
It happened again yesterday. I was down by the river, supposedly fishing but also reflecting on world events and circumstances. (Heady stuff, for sure!)
I stood there noticing there are fewer boats on the water than last year--no doubt a result of spiraling gas prices--and then I saw one of the culprits fueling our oil dependency!
Someone had discarded a disposable lighter! Sure, we can simply drop a disposable lighter when it is of no more value. BUT are we really getting rid of it? Or have we reached the point where our "throw away mentality" is coming back to bite us in the butt?
What happens when that lighter ends up along the river bank? Granted, some of the water in a river ends up as drinking water but often small rivers or streams flow into bigger rivers and they, in turn, flow into our oceans. Realizing that, it's not too far fetched to believe a lighter may end up in the stomach of a fish. Since plastic doesn't digest easily, the fish will probably die and make it unpleasant to boat, fish, or swim.
If our "throw away" mentality is contributing to our oil consumption, the Bic Corporation is surely leading the way. Since the 60's we've been introduced to disposable pens and even razors in addition to the aforementioned lighters. Why am I picking on Bic? It takes oil to make plastic and those razors, pens, and lighters are more plastic than anything else.
How often do you see a lighter that someone has thrown away? Maybe we need to revert back to the days when everyone had a Zippo and a can of lighter fluid in the cupboard!
Let's see--less oil--less garbage. Hmmm.
I stood there noticing there are fewer boats on the water than last year--no doubt a result of spiraling gas prices--and then I saw one of the culprits fueling our oil dependency!
Someone had discarded a disposable lighter! Sure, we can simply drop a disposable lighter when it is of no more value. BUT are we really getting rid of it? Or have we reached the point where our "throw away mentality" is coming back to bite us in the butt?
What happens when that lighter ends up along the river bank? Granted, some of the water in a river ends up as drinking water but often small rivers or streams flow into bigger rivers and they, in turn, flow into our oceans. Realizing that, it's not too far fetched to believe a lighter may end up in the stomach of a fish. Since plastic doesn't digest easily, the fish will probably die and make it unpleasant to boat, fish, or swim.
If our "throw away" mentality is contributing to our oil consumption, the Bic Corporation is surely leading the way. Since the 60's we've been introduced to disposable pens and even razors in addition to the aforementioned lighters. Why am I picking on Bic? It takes oil to make plastic and those razors, pens, and lighters are more plastic than anything else.
Let's see--less oil--less garbage. Hmmm.
Until next time--watch yourself and watch your line!
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Comment by Louie
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COOL POST THANKS
Louie
Comment by Cibbuano
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I hate the 'disposable' culture... I long for the old movie days, when you bought things that were meant to last...
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Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
My dad doesn't smoke and was never in the army but one of the coolest things he has is a lighter made in Viet-Nam!
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
And the sad thing is when Bic pens first cam out they were 19 cents!
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Even today, a Zippo isn't that expensive!
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
I don't know which is worse--guys who shoot and leave shot up cans lying around or the guys who fish and leave worm cartons behind! I used to belong to a shooting range that had a rule that you couldn't leave stuff behind. Believe it or not--everyone adhered to the rule. It may have had something to do with the fact that everyone was armed. "An armed society is a polite society!"
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
*snort* don't get me started on the garbage that people (a) think they need in the first place becaus eof programmed prestige consumerism, and (b) drop off anywhere they like, thinking dispoable also means Bio-degradable... you are so right, those days of chucking the pigswil out the front door into the trench have gone where oil is concered ... too true.
I am with Cibb on this one, bring back the days of simple things; ink wells and quills, Zippo's and matchsticks, taylors and potters... would I miss my computer... I mean, really miss it after the initial shock wore off?
Probably not, I may even find my happiness again once I got off the merry-go-round.
Great Post!
Lilla ...
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Have you ever wondered how much of our garbage is NOT biodegradable?
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
..are you kidding me? It's the reason I have insomnia, or when I do sleep, wake in a cold sweat!
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish