Zero Waste Living

There's been talk lately of "Zero Waste Living"". Over the last 6 months or so I've seen blog posts, articles, even a report on the local news of families who are trying to live a Zero Waste Lifestyle.

In addition to solid waste, California also talks a lot about water wasting. With a 2009 population estimate of almost 37 Million people (US Census Bureau Quick Facts) living here it's easy to understand why. Solid waste landfills are rapidly being filled, and water can be a precious commodity in years of even mild drought.

This topic has been on my mind lately, and some of it came home during this past week as I fought with a cold. Kleenex or handkerchiefs? A true "zero waster" would definitely grab a handkerchief. I am not a true "zero waster". I do try to be conscious of my decisions, and try not to be wasteful. But the thought of using the same rag over and over and sticking a wet, slimy piece of cloth in my pocket just does not appeal to me. I don't want a germ laden piece of cloth in my pocket and feel it is best and more sanitary to use a tissue and properly dispose of it after use. Yes, sometimes that does involve putting it in a pocket until you are where you properly dispose of it. But then it is gone. If at home, they can be burned in the fireplace. No matter what, you're not storing wet, slimy, germ filled cloth until it can be washed.
That's my thoughts on Kleenex vs handkerchiefs, and you're not going to change my thinking! :-)
UPDATE: Some have called me "wasteful" because of my admission that I am not a true "zero waster". First of all, zero waste is a nice concept and sounds good, but if you're alive, you create waste. I will continue to try to reduce the amount of waste I generate. I'll post some of the things I do here. So please bear with me, grow with me and maybe together we can all become better people. Thank you.

Durable or Disposable?

Even before I became an Independent Distributor for Fuller Brush I was aware that in household goods there were two main types of products. Disposable goods are those that are cheaply made and sold inexpensively, with an estimated life of 2 or less years. These include many of the items sold at the big discount stores. They include almost any item you would use in your house. As an example, you can go to the big discount store and buy a household broom for about $4. And you can go back again & again, buying those $4 brooms once or twice a year for the rest of your life. Or you can invest in a Fuller Brush Broom and most likely never need to purchase another for the rest of your life. The Fuller Broom was laboratory tested for over 1 million sweeps! That’s equivalent to sweeping the average kitchen every day for over 20 years.

If you check for similar quality products, you’ll find they are of comparable price. This is very much like any tool you purchase. Quality costs a little bit more up front, but pays for itself in the long run.

To read a little more about the Fuller's Brooms, go to my Fuller Factory Direct Page.

A Coincidence?

I have to wonder if it is a coincidence that today, March 6th, is both "Dentist's Day" and "National Frozen Foods Day"? NFFD was created by an Act of Congress and Proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan. No history was found for Dentist's Day. I have to wonder if the Dentists just hopped onto the bandwagon hoping to pick up business from teeth broken on frozen food. Just a thought...

I'm of two minds about this.....

According to our friends at Holiday Insights today, March 5th, is "Multiple Personality Day". Part of me thinks their nuts. The other part thinks it could be a fun day. A good day to do something bad and blame it on your "evil twin". Just don't blame it on me if you get in trouble. :-)

Too Much Day

No, today is not "Too Much Day". But it's how I feel when seeing the list of "special days" that today is designated. Let's see, there's...

Employee Appreciation Day
Holy Experiment Day
Hug a GI Day
National Salesperson Day

Now I can get into the first one because I am an employee at a large company, and the last one because I sell Fuller Brush products as my own business.

Hug a GI Day is nice, our returning Vets deserve all the love & appreciation we can show them.

I disagree with the premise of Holy Experiment Day. A day to "try something religious". Do we have a "Sin Day" when we can try something forbidden? Well, that might be most days. Maybe a better thing for "Holy Experiment Day" would be to try and be Holy, or at least as close as humanly possible, as one can for a day.

Just my 2 cents.

Pig Day & Hairbrushes.

What does National Pig's Day and Fuller's Beechwood Hairbrushes have in common?

Each brush is made with the finest natural boar bristles, which have tiny scales to actually clean your hair as you brush, removing dirt, excess oils, and scalp flakes. They distribute natural hair oils for an all over silky luster and help reduce split ends. Bristle ends lift hair to add body. They can last a lifetime with proper care.

Click here for more info.