Acting Responsibly
by Andrea Rose (printed in American Vegan 2005)While walking by the deli section of my local grocery store I couldn't help but notice one of the employee's clearing out one of the hot cases for the day. He was leaning over a huge garbage can and was filling it with dozens of chicken parts! I was horrified and disgusted by this atrocity and was even more upset when I realized this was not an isolated incident, but one that must happen every day in every store in every state. Why would the deli employee think he was doing anything wrong? He is part of a society where we were raised to do only what requires minimum thought or effort. This includes throwing out what we don't want or need, rather than recycling it or not using or buying something in the first place.
Unfortunately, we as vegans are not exempt from this wasteful attitude and living. If we look around at what we purchase and support, we are not far behind our meat-eating friends when it comes to disrespect for the earth and our environment. For one thing, every time we read the newspaper out of the colorful plastic bag, or use disposable diapers, cups and plates, we are reaffirming to ourselves and others that it is okay to use something once and throw it away. The recycle bins outside of the grocery stores try to comfort us and lead us to believe that our bags get recycled, but if one looks into the re-sale market for products made from recycled bags, it is very limited. This makes me question what really happens to the bags?
OF THE 47 U.S. CHEMICAL PLANTS THAT PRODUCE THE MOST CARCINOGENIC EMISIONS, 35 ARE INVOLVED IN THE PLASTIC IN PLASTIC PRODUCTION. ORGANIC STYLE JAN/FEB 03
Have you ever thought about the resources that went into the plastic bottle you are drinking from? The carcinogenic substances and dioxins that are released into the air when that plastic was produced? The animals that lost their lives or habitat due to the pollution we cause, or our increased need for land and other resources? Hundreds of thousands of marine animals, including whales and sea turtles, die annually from eating discarded plastic bags that they mistake for food. This tragedy doesn't stop in the oceans. Many cows, goats and other land animals experience a similar fate when they accidentally consume plastic bags while foraging for food. This unnecessary cruelty is avoidable if we consciously think about ways we can reduce our dependency on plastic bags. For each cloth bag we use, potentially hundreds of plastic bags are kept from accidentally ending up in the environment.
Our earth destructive habits can be reduced, allowing us to remain true to the commitment we made to the animals, the planet, and ourselves by adopting a vegan lifestyle. It is so spiritually rewarding to live a greener life and it is so simple to start now. First and foremost, make recycling a part of your life! Even if you don't have curbside pickup, many cities have recycling drop-off centers that take everything from batteries to phonebooks - find them and make regular trips to visit them. The next step is to reduce our dependency on disposable items (and the petroleum that is used to produce many of them) and to use cloth bags for ALL shopping needs. Keep them in the car so they are always handy.
When we do something good for the earth, all of her inhabitants reap the rewards. Every time we do something negative to the earth we help contribute to the poisoning of the air, the water, the forests, and the destruction caused to the animals! Doesn't that defeat our purpose of pursuing a vegan life - not to harm others? Every action has a reaction, and if we do earth friendly acts with a kind and loving attitude, we positively encourage others to do the same.
Please visit www.reusuablebags.com for more information on plastic bags and www.recycling.com for more information on recycling facts.