Kathleen Orens

Oh please - Al Gore, PLEASE run for the presidency!

I understand that many people do not recycle properly and it is a growing concern for a lot of communities, costing them more than necessary to separate the garbage from the true recyclable articles, plastic bags in my community are one of those things that I see so much of on my walking route. Today, I, very nicely explained that to a woman that was bringing out her cans in bags within the recycling can that that was one of the big no no's that is posted on our town's Recycling page. She didn't care - but I felt better trying. Who knows, maybe, and that's a BIG maybe, she will think twice about it one day soon...

I have 4 1/2 bathrooms and I have a cleaning lady that helps me keep them clean. I don't allow her to use paper towels while she is working for me, she uses old towels cut into rags. She has begun to do so at other homes rather than use paper toweling!

Took many, many corks today to be recycled at Whole Foods! I love that they recycle many items that our community does not!

I saw a straw on the street when out for my walk this morning and told my neighbor about metal straws, she had no idea! (She may not use many straws now, but she will be a grandma soon!)

Not that long ago, I showed my 12 year old granddaughter how to dispose of a straw correctly (yes, she still uses them at times), cut it all along it's length, then cut it into tiny pieces. I have reminded her to do so a few times, but today, she did it without prompting!

Purchased a reusable plastic bag while in line and touted how cute and efficient it was, the woman in line behind me agreed so she bought one too!

We had an incredibly busy weekend with several out of town guests. I managed to reuse a number of sheets of plastic wrap, baggies and when my guests abandoned water drinks (not in plastic bottles but house cups) I used the water to water my plants. Guests also used only one set of towels for their entire visit. When I had to dispose of the very few plastic straws that were used, I cut them up the middle and into small pieces.

My husband felt bad that one of our daughters treated him to a hot coffee in a styrofoam cup, so he washed it and asked me if I would please re-use it!

I removed several single use plastic bags from (paper) trash during a bridal shower to bring home for recycling.