Comments on: Dear Santa Sabina,

By: 3callmemom

3callmemom — Thu, 08 May 2008 20:58:00 +0000

GREAT letter! If only I had read this before my experience behind the guy with the travel coffee mug a few days ago. I blogged about it on “getting greener” at http://poststar.com/wordpress/?p=4405&cat=47 Although I’m not sure a letter (no matter how sweet) would have made a difference in this particular case. Will definitely give it a try next time. Does no good to be nasty if we truly want to effect change! Thanks for sharing.

By: M

Thu, 08 May 2008 15:47:00 +0000

Clif, the Houston recycling rate doesn’t surprise me. From what I remember (it’s be a few years since I lived there), there is no city recycling program. The individuals in each neighborhood must choose to pay for the recycling programs. To say the least, it doesn’t happen frequently. I was blown away when my mom moved to a new area where advertisements said you would move “into the trees”. Even with that sort of slogan, there was no recycling program and there still is no recycling program 8 years later. Many of the little stations set up in the parking lots for recycling cans are also long gone.

By: terrible person

terrible person — Thu, 08 May 2008 01:14:00 +0000

And National Geographic has just come out with its “Greendex”, its ranking of environmental awareness in various countries. I’m not surprised that the U.S. scored so low … but China scored so high? I’ve got to check the methodology …

By: Clif

Clif — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:41:00 +0000

Jenn: Why not give the bleach to someone who will use it, if it it going to go down the drain anyway?

On the letter - it's perfect in the situation - using the philosophy of the place to present it with a contradiction.

But, confrontation is sometimes required, though not in this case. When writing to any company it makes no sense to use confrontation because there is an incentive for the company to comply with requests from their source of income - customers.

In politics, however, making nice can lead to being walked over by those who are determined to have their way.

I have never used a lawyer to bring a lawsuit and hope I never do, but I fully support the actions of such groups as the NRDC who go to court with everything they've got in order to stop activities damaging to the earth.

You have to pick the technique you use to match the challenge that faces you. In the case of this retreat center, the letter is perfect.

NEWS NOTE OF THE DAY - from the NY Times - San Francisco has a 70% recycling rate, Houston has a 3% recycling rate.

By: Jessica at Bwlchyrhyd

Jessica at Bwlchyrhyd — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:14:00 +0000

Jenn — household bleach is actually fairly non-toxic as far as chemicals go. It loses potency as it ages, so if this has been sitting in the cupboard for some time, it is probably pretty inert anyway. It’s safe to just pour it down the drain, a little at a time, with a lot of water.

By: jennconspiracy

jennconspiracy — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:13:00 +0000

Very nicely written.

I agree with Scott – I’m shocked about the “remove birds” warning. Why would anyone even use such a product?

I have a question about disposing of stuff – I have half a bottle of bleach under my sink (left by a previous tenant). What the heck do I do with it? I don’t want to chuck it down the drain or onto the ground. If I freecycle it, that’s just the same thing, isn’t it?

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:39:00 +0000

Beth

That is a great letter. As one who who is still trying to find some gray in a black and white world, and puts his foot in his mouth quite often, I plan to come back and use your letter as a guide for letters I might write regarding similar circumstances. Forceful but very kind and so well written. I hope they respond and change the products or request your help.

Wow...remove the birds though? Has no one heard of the canary in the the mine shaft scenario. I can't believe that stuff would even be legal.

Great post...thanks!

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:08:00 +0000

I agree with Allie, Beth. My exact thought after reading your post today, was Wow, Beth’s really getting inspirational, no irony intended.

By: Allie

Allie — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:29:00 +0000

That’s a great letter! Beth, you are such an inspiration. I love how you work to change things that need changing.

By: Jessica at Bwlchyrhyd

Jessica at Bwlchyrhyd — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:03:00 +0000

I wrote a similar letter last year. I had spent the weekend at a holiday camp in the North and, at the end of the weekend, noticed skips overflowing with empty beer cans. I wrote the camp a letter encouraging them to provide recycling facilities and gave them contact details for the local council's recycling department.

I never got a response, but I am going there again this June, so we will see if they have done anything!