Recycling is not a new idea.

Is it just me, or is it really ridiculous that there are still places where you have to fight…for your right…to recycle?

Recycling has been a part of my daily life since the early 90’s.

Granted, growing up in Ithaca, NY meant being right in the mix with the forward thinking types when it comes to going “green”, but recycling technology has evolved and the world’s acceptance of the importance of sustainability and conservation has certainly become more widespread since then.

So now, I wonder. Working at a publishing company, in Connecticut, in a large, corporate building that touts itself as being “green”, why is it a challenge to recycle basic paper-based office waste? And why aren’t there recycling bins next to every trash can on street corners in every Connecticut town? Or every town in every state? I ask these questions too often these days.

Shortly after HT and I first met, we were at his apartment and I casually went to throw something away in his trash can. It was then I discovered wine bottles, peeking out from beneath the other waste (gasp!!) and sighed to myself, “Houston, we have a problem.” Never one to want to “change” a man to my liking, I can say with total and complete confidence that on the recycling front, in the time since, I have provided him with a valuable education in the fine art of reduce, reuse, recycle that is certain to stick with him for life. There’s a learning curve, and I pull recyclable materials from his trash can at least twice per week, but I am confident that at the very least, I’ll never again find a wine bottle anywhere but in the good ‘ol blue bin.

Perhaps we “recycling enlightened” just need to keep on keepin’ on, changing the world one wine bottle at a time.

When in Burlington, BYO Bottle

I’m proud of my alma mater today, as students returning to class after winter break will get on board with carrying reusable bottles, or go thirsty. The sticker-covered Nalgene has long been a fixture in University of Vermont classrooms, dangling from caribiners attached to backpacks and yes, even used to shake, not stir, the occasional mixed drink. Now, reusable will be the only option, unless students are willing to buy bottled water off campus.

UVM is the latest university to ban on-campus sales of bottled water.

The best part is, there are millions of reusable options these days that are sleek, cool, lightweight, insulated, unbreakable and practical. Around town, I love my bkr best.