Apartment recycling

posted by Russ | July 8 | Add a Comment

Here in San Diego, there is a problem with trash. I keep hearing that the landfills are filling up much to fast, and that they will be at capacity soon. Ok, so recycling is the quickest way to lessen the burden on the landfills.

The problem is that approximately 80-90% of people in San Diego rent. If you’re renting a house in a neighborhood, the chances are probably pretty good that you’ll have a recycle bin provided, however if you’re like me and you live in a complex, you’ll more than likely have a dumpster only.

So once again, the city misses the boat. Recycling isn’t mandatory, and apartment owners probably choose to have only a dumpster because it’s the cheapest solution. So yet again, a place where you could make a fairly big difference, where the population density is highest, they’re not doing it.

I myself keep […]

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Are business ethics gone these days?

posted by Russ | July 8 | Add a Comment

I know there are some business owners who take their responsibility seriously. Meaning they are interested in more than making a quick buck.

There are many people who want to make a difference, people who recycle, people who make environmentally responsible decisions, etc. But businesses are where the real difference can be made. Unfortunately, most business decisions are based on dollars and cents. Meaning buying things for the cheapest cost, regardless of how they were produced, where they were made, if they are sustainable, etc.

It is frustrating, because if big business (or even small business) got behind these ideas, a real positive change could occur. Unfortunately, it’s only a very small percentage who think like this. And even more unfortunately, small business owners who may make the “right” decision, have to make the wrong one because cost is truly a major concern.

More people of power need to start thinking in a sustainable way.

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Riding the city bus in San Diego – mixed feelings

posted by Russ | June 22 | Add a Comment

I have been meaning to write about this for a while now. About the mixed feelings I have about my past month of being semi car free. I have been both riding my bike to work and taking the city bus. And I feel great about both. The thing that is a little weird is that I feel like I am one of a very small percentage of people that ride the bus by choice. Taking a city bus here in the US, especially in Southern California is sort of a taboo thing, something reserved for the poor or those with less money. And I am pretty sure that most of the people on the bus, if given a chance, would probably love to be driving a car. So even though I really like taking the bus, for all the right reasons, I feel a little strange, since I don’t have to be, and if the people I ride with knew I had a car, they would probably feel weird too.

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Get involved in Community Supported Agriculture

posted by Russ | June 7 | Add a Comment

If you’re not familiar with Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), it’s definitely something worth familiarizing yourself with. A CSA is basically where you pay a set amount to a local farm, and you then theoretically become a stake holder in the farm’s operations. In return you get a portion of the farm’s harvest each week or every two weeks. Here in San Diego I’m a member of Be Wise Ranch, and I pay $20 (updated 2008) $25 for a box of organic produce every two weeks. It’s the small box, but it’s plenty for me for actually more than the 2 weeks. The farm delivers to a pick up location each week, and it’s up to you to go retrieve your goodies. Each day of the week are different locations, so all of the country ends up getting a chance to have it delivered to their […]

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Too much waste in businesses and restaurants

posted by Russ | May 19 | Add a Comment

I was sitting at lunch today, and once again I got frustrated by the amount of waste that most places generate. I am referring specifically to restaurants and businesses. Probably the two types of places that could make the biggest difference if they were environmentally responsible.

First of all, businesses blow my mind. Most places generate huge amounts of paper waste, both in the form of paper, and cardboard packaging. And unless I’m misinformed, I’m guessing it all goes to the landfill. Dumposaurus Dumpsters serve this purpose. My work is currently moving offices, and pretty much all new stuff is being bought, so all the old is getting tossed (most in the form of paper and brochures, along with smaller amounts of e-waste). And I have to say, I don’t really blame the businesses. It seems to be so much of a hassle to properly […]

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