Something new to get my adrenaline going!!

So, I have mentioned before how recycling is a last ditch effort to try to do something with all the plastic that we are inundated with... but what I found out today has my stomach in knots! Basically everything you buy at the store comes in plastic and if you are like me and you have to buy something like shampoo or yogurt... etc... you just figure you'll recycle the containers when you are done.
For a few years I have been taking all the caps off shampoo and anything else with a hard plastic cap and dropping them off at my local Aveda store. I do this because those hard plastic caps are not recycled by your local recycling company because it is expensive and difficult to do so, however, Aveda does recycle the caps into new shampoo bottles.
Well, I called my local town recycling's hot line today and asked them what #'s of plastic they recycle... 1 and 2 ONLY!!! Guess what # the majority of plastic containers are... #5!!!!! I am beside myself!! All that plastic I have been throwing into the recycle bucket hasn't even been getting recycled!!!
Thankfully, there is a solution, if you don't mind driving around with your garbage. I found a company called Preserve and they have a program called "Gimme 5". They have drop off locations for your #5 plastics that they will recycle and turn into toothbrushes and other products. I am excited that the Whole Foods Market near me is one of their drop off spots. Check out Preserveproducts.com for more info about their company. Oh and the best part is that they take Brita filters too!!

What can I say about dirt?

Oh how I love thee... let me count the ways... no seriously, I really do love dirt! I love getting my hands in the dirt and planting tiny seeds and watching them grow into amazing plants that in return give me healthy fresh veggies to eat. Well today I gave my garden a present... compost! I bought a composter 2 years ago and started throwing leaves, twigs, egg shells and fruit and veggie skins into it and viola... 2 years later I have some fresh, nutrient rich soil to add to my garden!

 I find the concept of decomposition totally amazing and totally worth doing. The composter I have is made out of plastic... gasp! Yes I know, plastic is evil! Anyway, it is a big black drum that has a handle on the side to make it easy to turn. Unfortunately, plastic being what it is, the handle dried out from the elements and just broke on me! I can still turn it without the handle, but I will be contacting the mfr for a replacement. So if you are ever wondering what to do with all your fruit and veggie skins... go out and get yourself a composter... your garden will thank you!