Ignorance is a Choice

Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast

Episode 36

Ignorance Is a Choice

Hello everyone and welcome back to the Adventures in Sustainable Living podcast. This is your host Patrick and this is episode # 36 which is called Ignorance is a Choice.

As Americans, plain and simple, we are addicted to convenience. It is almost to the point of being ridiculous. And that convenience results in a short attention span, very little patience, and a wasteful lifestyle. But there is a different way to live, and a better way to live that is more environmentally friendly. And in the end of this episode I am going to give you 12 different ways to live differently. 

But in the end I truly believe that it is the responsibility of each and every one of us to figure out ways to live differently and in a more responsible manner. After all we live in the age of information.  

And in this age of information, ignorance is a choice. In many respects the opposite of ignorance is awareness. And a big part of sustainability is a certain level of awareness and learning to make better choices. The simple fact is that as adults we are responsible for everything we choose to do and everything we choose not to do. Well………try having that conversation with a teenager.  And I can tell you this simple concept is in your face almost everyday when you live off the grid and manage many of your own resources.  

You know I got to thinking about this the other day when I was using an Uber driver to get home. I had to drop off my truck at the shop for some repairs and I live 20 miles further down the road. Annette was out of town so I decided to use an Uber driver. I used the Uber app to arrange a pick up.  About 10 minutes later, the driver called me to confirm the ride because it was going to be 30 minutes before he could get to my location.  

When he picked me up, he explained that the reason he called me to confirm is that if most people have to wait greater than 10 to 15 minutes for a ride, they usually cancel.  My reply was well I needed the ride regardless of the wait and I actually expected to have to wait at least an hour. That would be why I always carry my computer and iPad so I can always work on something while I wait. 

So our addiction too convenience, just like anything else, comes at a price. We want everything right now and when we are finished with it we throw it away. 

At this point in time I have produced a number of episodes discussing recycling, the amount of waste that we produce, how long it takes various waste products to degrade and decompose, and how our choices drive the market place.   

In episode # 22 Are We Recycling or Wish-cycling? I discussed the cost of recycling, how many single use products we consume and how much plastic gets thrown away and ends up in the landfill.  But I also touched on the subject of corporate responsibility when it comes to recycling. While it is true that our choices drive the marketplace it is also true that much time and effort has been spent finger pointing at the average consumer as if we are the primary problem. Much of the responsibility of recycling has been put on us. But in reality we could just as easily point the finger of blame toward big business and ask why they are still cranking out single use plastic products in the first place. 

I think about this every time I walk into my local supermarket and see people walking out with several large flats containing 24 plastic bottles of water. I know very well that 90% of those plastic bottles are going to end up in the trash.

So, all of these things were running through my brain the other day as I was cruising through comments posted in several different FB groups that focus on sustainability. I was wondering what people are talking about? What are people concerned with? What are their biggest challenges? One of the comments that got my attention was that one group member was having trouble finding reusable sustainable products. I of course immediately turned a critical eye to my own lifestyle. Just how many reusable sustainable products do I own and use? 

Well, just so you know, through this whole process I added one more to my list. We make all of our own bread and typically store that bread in a large ziplock bag. I even saved a plastic bag from some tortillas and having been using that for some time. Anyway, I ordered 2 cloth reusable bread storage bags. One more thing was added to my list. 

Anyway, I started searching the internet to see just what type of reusable products I could find. And of course I learned that there is literally a plethora of products available. That is how I ended up adding one more product to my list.  Consequently, I could not understand why this one group member was having trouble finding such products when I did a google search and it took me .06 seconds. 

It seems that every time I produce a podcast episode I learn something new. Consequently, I am always turning a critical eye to my own lifestyle.  And I have to tell you that I am not perfect, my lifestyle is not perfect. But at least I am continuously improving and making changes. The same is true about living sustainably. It is a process. For example, I’ve been living off the grid for 25 years and I am still making improvements. 

So in this age of information, if you want to sit there in your peaceful ignorance, that is your choice. But, like anything else, there are consequences to your choices. Guess what? That is part of being an adult.

And instead of sitting there in your ignorance as you throw away yet another plastic water bottle, why don’t you learn how to do something different. And yes I know we live in a fast paced society. But as I stated earlier, I did a Google search for reusable sustainably products and that search took a whole .06 seconds. So if you think you are short on time, I am here to tell you it only takes 0.06 seconds to learn how to be different. 

Ronald Reagan once said, “We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.” And I would add on that each individual is accountable for their own choices as well. 

But part of what I do is to help people to understand that even small choices make a difference. And making one small choice and one small change can in fact make a difference. 

So, back to the FB group member and finding reusable products instead of disposable ones. And the reason for my reinforcing this idea is that we live in a disposable society where it is easier to throw things out that it is to fix them.  We even give it a name. We call it recycling.  

But you know, recycling should actually be your last choice not your first one. And speaking of choices, a great place to start is by finding products that allow you to avoid paper and plastic waste. Find something you can use over and over again. 

I started searching for what types of products were out there and comparing prices. The first thing I looked at were reusable zip lock bags. I did this because this is the one plastic product that I use repeatedly. I use them for food storage, for my lunches, and for freezer bags.  I am constantly using these things for one reason or another. But I also wash them, hang them up to dry, and use them over and over again until literally they fall apart. But as I said my life is not perfect and I still need to make improvements.  

So, here is what I learned. I found a set of 22 silicone reusable food storage bags for $24. This is about $1.10 each. But you can get 90 disposable zip bags for $9. So 10 cents each.  It is not hard to see why people first reach for disposable products because they are cheap. But that is also not the sustainable choice. 

This brings me to my first point. 

You will pay more for reusable products up front. There is no doubt about it that it is an investment. But over the long haul, you save money because you are not repeatedly purchasing disposable products. What you do is change things over a little at a time, not all at once. It is sort of like living a zero waste lifestyle. It will not happen overnight. 

But there are more ways to save money. For example, when you empty a storage box, flatten it and save it. You can put it back together and use it again. Save paper bags that are used at the time you purchase a product. Return it to the store where you got it. Businesses pay money for such resources. And many times if you take a reusable, refillable drink container a business will often charge you a reduced cost for a drink. I can not tell you how many times I have gotten a free cup of coffee simply by taking in my own cup.  It is amazing and it makes me laugh.   

It is certainly better for the environment. All of these disposable products will no longer be going to the land fill. As landfills fill up it necessitates the production of more landfills. And each time you reuse an item, it prevents yet another item from going to a landfill.

You know it is amazing some of the reusable items that I’ve had for more than 20 years. For example, I purchased stainless steel and cast iron cookware over 20 years ago. After that, I’ve never purchased another piece of cookware nor have I had to dispose of any cookware. In fact, this stuff will be around long after I’m dead, probably up for sale in an antique store.   

By reducing and reusing, you are preventing pollution because you are helping to reduce the need to harvest new raw materials  needed to produce yet another disposable product. Just think about that for moment. 

Reusing items reduces the number of products that suppliers need to make. For example, wooded pallets and paper products that are not recycled. Such products increase the use of even more trees. Things such as plastic wrap and plastic drinking bottles use crude oil as raw materials. So, instead of throwing out plastic spoons and forks, wash them and reuse them. I actually have a set of metal camping utensils that I carry with me so that I never use disposable plastic items any more. 

You are also saving on the cost of disposal and the resources needed for that disposal. Not to mention the energy, oil, water and other resources that go into constantly producing new products. 

Reusable products also save the use of excessive amounts of energy. Just think of the fuel required to move around all that packaging, all the raw materials, not to mention the fossil fuels used in the manufacturing process. 

Many reusable products, such as glass, are safer that using plastics due to the possible contaminants from plastic leaching into your food and drinks. 

So if reusable products are the way to go, then where do you find them. Well, as I stated earlier, I did a Google search in .06 seconds.  But, what I want to do next is to give you 12 example of reusable products that you can start using today. 

12 examples of reusable products you can start using today. 

1) Cotton and cloth grocery bags 

Cotton and canvas grocery bags are fantastic for the environment. They decompose faster than reusable plastic grocery bags. They are more durable, and have a higher weight capacity. 

You know Annette just got back from a trip to Mexico visiting one of our friends. She was telling me that even in this small little Mexican community, if you wanted a disposable plastic grocery bag, you had to pay for it. Now if we are so progressive in the United States why can we not do that same sort of thing. 

2) Microfiber clothes

These are a fantastic option for replacing paper cleaning rags and paper towels. Now this material does take longer to degrade in the environment than cotton but they are also more durable. 

3) Silicone storage bags

This is what I’ve started using. They are great for food storage, freezer bags, lunches, etc. Due to the material used to make these bags, they are very easy to clean

4) Glass bottles and jars

Glass is far superior for food storage and beverages because it has absolutely no leaching properties whatsoever. And yes glass is heavier and it will break when you drop it. But, if you are using glass jars a lot you can also find silicone sleeves for mason jars that will help to prevent breaking them. 

Again, Annette was recently in Mexico. She was telling me that they do not sell beverages in single use plastic bottles. Everything is in glass and you have to pay a deposit for that glass container when you purchase a beverage. But, they also have these machines all over the place where you can return these bottles and you immediately get you deposit returned. Again, if we are so progressive in the United States, why can we not do something like that.  

5) Cloth diapers

Yes, if you have small children in your household, using cloth diapers will save you about $1,500/year. And if you listened to my episode title There is No Away, then you know very well that the disposable diapers that your mother used on you when you were a child are STILL in the landfill. That’s kind of disgusting to think about. 

6) Bees wax wraps

These things are fantastic. These wraps are made typically of a cotton material that has been infused with food grade bees wax, coconut oil, or jojoba oil. These are moldable, grippable, and tacky. They are also breathable to help food stay fresh. They are of course reusable and a sustainable alternative to plastic wrap or other single use plastic products. 

7) Mesh produce bags

These things are cheap, durable, reusable, washable and easily available. They completely replace plastic produce bags. 

8) Stainless steel cups and straws

I carry one of these in each of my vehicles and have various versions of these at home. Some of my cups I’ve had for over 30 years. I even get discounts for drinks at convenience stores because I bring my own cup. 

10) Silicone bowl covers and silicone mason jar sleeves

These can completely replace plastic wrap and also help protect glass jars from breaking.  

11) Silicone covers for baking

Did you know that aluminum foil takes between 100 and 250 years to break down. You can stop using it by purchasing silicone covers for baking dishes that are oven safe.  

Incidentally, I’ve not purchased aluminum foil in over 10 years. I rarely use it any more. But, what I do have at home, after I use it, I wash it, hang it out to dry and use it again, over and over 

12) Cloth food storage bags

I mentioned this earlier. I just ordered cloth storage bags for bread because we make all of our own bread. So, I am looking forward to that.  

Additionally I ordered some silicone zip lock storage bags to give those a try. 

Now just for a quick recap. Reusable products are beneficial in so many ways:

-They will save you money in the end. Although there is a little investment up front. But then again, I have given you a couple of examples of products I’ve had for over 20 years. So make an effort to change things over a little at a time.

-Reusable products are better for the environment in several ways. Fewer things are going to the landfill. Fewer resources are consumed. Thing such as fossil fuels, raw materials, water usage are all reduced. 

-In many instances reusable products are safer due to not leaching chemicals into your food and water. 

-And there are a whole host of reusable and sustainable products on the market.  

Now I know very well that some of your are thinking that these little things don’t make a difference at all. But think again. Now I would agree that taking action to prevent one plastic cup from going to the landfill is not going to save the planet. But think of the difference you will make with a lifetime of sustainable habits. And think of the difference you can make if you convince even one other person to do the same. 

Now if you think little things do not make a difference, allow me to give you a couple of examples. 

-In one of my recent episodes I talked about the amount of things we waste. I talked about cleaning out your bowls when you are cooking. My personal example was the small amount of residual egg that was being left in my bowl in the morning when I would make scrambled eggs. Now this only amounts to about 10% of one egg. But if I made an effort to save that and use it, I would save 26 eggs per year. But if even half the people in our culture make an effort to use that small little amount, it would actually save over 4 billion eggs per year. 

-You know the little drops of gasoline you spill every time you put gas in your vehicle. Well in the big scheme of things, that amounts to about 60 million gallons of gasoline that is spilled into the environment very year. 

-All those little bits of food you waste everyday, that amounts to about $1900/year per person and about $240 billion annually in the US. 

-All the idle loads in your house, meaning all the things in your house that stay plugged in all the time and consequently are constantly drawing electricity, this accounts for an additional 45 cents per day of electricity usage per household. But it adds up to $19 billion per year of additional utility bills. Not to mention the pollution and fossil fuels used to produce that electricity that is just wasted. 

So as you can plainly see, little things make a difference. One less plastic cup going to the landfill is not going to save the planet. But one person with a life time of sustainable habits will make a difference. Why not be that person. Why not give up one little bit of convenience and make a sustainable choice instead. 

I truly believe that it is the responsibility of each and every one of us to figure out ways to live differently. In this age of information, ignorance is a choice. In many respects the opposite of ignorance is awareness. And a big part of sustainability is a certain level of awareness and learning to make better choices. 

In the words of Ronald Regan, “It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.” 

So, be accountable. One person with a lifetime of sustainable habits will make a difference. 

This is your host Patrick signing off. I will see you next week for another exciting episode. 

Always remember to live sustainably because this is how we build a better future.