Yesterday was a beautiful day here in Maine. It wasn’t more than a week ago we had been greeted by the first snow flakes dancing about our yard, bringing a taste of what was to come. Then yesterday we had 60 degrees and bright sunshine, getting to see the last of the luxurious gold, fire red, and burnt orange leaves that were still clinging to their branches. I do love Maine in the fall.
We live on the ocean, too, so we get to have the wondrous waves of the Atlantic lapping at our feet, for the dogs to run in (but not swim… neither like to swim for some weird reason. Strangest labs in the world!). Every so often, however, we’re privy to ours and our neighbors choices for products they consume. It’s not often we see trash washed up on our shores here, but it does happen. We live in a small community, but near larger ones. Picture the rocky coastline of Maine spotted with quaint little towns, clapboard houses with sea-stained gray siding and bright white trim. Small country stores in one town, with Wal-Mart’s in the next. Strip malls, big malls, Home Depots and Lowes right next door to each other vying for customers of their competitors. Large businesses and small there to make our lives easier as consumers.
I know I’m as much a consumer as the next person. I make no excuses for needing to purchase things that come wrapped in plastic. Do I try to avoid it at all costs? Absolutely. Do I wish there was a better way? Of course. When you purchase our product, ALL of our packaging can be put back to the Earth and NOT in a landfill, or even worse, into our oceans. We encourage you to compost our bag and box, grow your own food, even if it’s just a potted tomato plant on your balcony of your apartment. Toss our bag into a fireplace/woodstove/bbq pit, and recycle our paperboard box. Whatever you do, just don’t throw it away. We made a conscious decision to rid our packaging of detriments to the environment.
What happens when you do use plastics and just toss them to the side of the road? Toss them into the trash? That lighter you use to light those cigarettes that damage not only yourself but our environment. That bottle of Coke that gave you a moment of enjoyment but seems to last forever on our Earth?
Beware, as this link I’m posting is graphic. I promised myself that I wouldn’t look at it just based on the description of it. But, I couldn’t neglect what is true, and neither can you. These pictures of birds were taken on an island that is 2,000 (two THOUSAND) miles from the nearest continent. Keep that in mind as you view what our packaging choices have on the environment. Not just packaging choices as consumers, but as manufacturers. Demand that the companies you purchase from find better ideas! Vote with your dollars. Buy a refillable lighter, use a stainless steel water bottle and make your own iced tea instead of buying Coke. Buy Barkwheats!
And now, the big show. From Chris Jordan.
Thank you for your words and thoughts on such an important topic. We know that our carelessness harms our environment and wildlife around the world, but we don’t realize how much until viewing Chris Jordan’s post! Thanks to both Chris’ for opening our eyes wider!