Green Tip #22

“Teamwork and Leadership”

With November 4th, Election Day, right around the corner (maybe past by the time this article hits the paper), I thought it appropriate to talk about waste.  “Waste” has been a key word used during this year’s campaigns.  Fingers are pointed at different people and parties for wasting taxpayers’ dollars.

Here’s the bottom line on waste.  Wasteful spending and wasteful ways are everywhere from our homes to our schools to our businesses to our organizations to our institutions to our government offices.  This wasteful lifestyle crosses all socio-economic and political lines.  The real deal is that we, as Americans, are all, for the most part, wasteful people.  We have not always been wasteful.  Waste is a newer trend that has consumed us since we have been able to get goods and services too easily and too cheaply, making us not truly value them.

Just a couple of generations ago and before, most American’s were not wasteful.  Planning and saving was a matter of survival.  Most people grew their own food and had to plan for winter, the non-growing season.   They canned fruits and vegetables and smoked meats.  They also had to grow enough food and hay to keep their livestock alive through winter, so they would have milk, meat and transportation the following spring.  To prevent freezing through winter and to keep the pot hot for cooking, enough firewood had to be cut, dried and stored.  Metal items were held on to and reshaped into something else.  Paper, writing utensils and books were a luxury for most.  Waste was unheard of in most households, businesses and organizations.  Waste of any kind could equate to not surviving as an individual, a family or a community.

Of course, it is kind of comfortable and comforting to turn the thermostat up or down and have heat, not worrying about all of the time and effort it takes to haul wood.  It’s also pretty convenient to just run to the store whenever to buy food, clothing, toys and whatever else we need.  It’s simple to just order anything for our businesses and organizations from glossy marketing mailers to supplies to promotional items.  Having electricity is not so bad either.

Most of us will keep buying our food from stores instead of growing our own.  Most of us will continue to use a thermostat to heat and cool our homes.  Electricity will still be the primary light source.  Cars will change in size, shape and type of fuel required, but people will rely on them for transportation.

No matter what local, state, and federal political figures take the seats after the election, remember that it is every citizen’s duty to be less wasteful in our homes, businesses, and organizations.  It will take teamwork and leadership to reverse wasteful habits that are bad for the environment and the economy.  Some of the ways you can be a leader is by reminding co-workers to turn off lights and computers when not in use and when going home for the day.   Install a programmable thermostat at work and home. Start a recycling program at your office.  At home, school and the office, encourage people to use the backside of paper for note taking and draft prints before going to recycling.  Before you print all kinds of fancy glossy marketing material and order promotional items, ask yourself (or, your boss) if it’s really necessary.  Make it a habit of reusing paperclips, rubber bands and other office supplies.  Ditch the bottled waters and have a large water dispenser.  Don’t order any more disposable cups, plates and dinnerware—use the real ceramic/glass version and wash it.

One final note:  after your newly elected leaders take office, remind them that you expect your taxpayers dollars to be spent wisely for the sake of the environment and the economy.