It can be very depressing when one thinks of all of the trash that we create. We are a disposable society. We buy items with an expected lifespan and when that lifespan is over we throw them away to go to the landfills (and many go to our oceans, rivers and otherwise pristine environments). However I went to an "eco" fair this past weekend  where I saw some of the wonderful things that are now being made from recyclable items and those which can be used over again...and/or composted...all of which don't overburden our landfills and don't spoil our environment or kill the wildlife who consume them.

I want to focus on the positive things that are happening.  I was encouraged at the fair, to hear about the many companies that have come into the recycling industry recently and to see some of the great things that are being made through recycling ....or with sustainable products like bamboo such as the bamboo utensils to the left in a pouch made of recycled plastic bottles.  The pouch has a clip to carry it easily wherever you go and I add my reusable stainless steel straw to the pouch.  I also obtained some compostable trash bags at the "eco" fair..  

In the U.S., only about 28 percent of all plastic bottles thrown out are recycled.  We can do better.  The Environmental Protection Agency estimated that recycling facilities processed more than 89 million tons of municipal solid waste in 2014 which was about 35 percent of all waste generated ... but the recycling industry is developing.  Many surprising things are now made from recycled plastic... plastic lumber for benches and playground equipment and toys for example.  

Old paper is very recyclable.  Instead of throwing a newspaper in the trash, think of what it can become... construction paper, kitty litter, sheetrock, building insulation, countertops, paper plates, toilet paper, and boxes like the one shown above.

Metal can be recycled into hundreds of new products.  Bike and car parts contain recycled materials and amazingly, it takes 95 percent less energy to make a can from recycled aluminum rather than to manufacture a new one from scratch. 

Glass is a very versatile material. It can be repurposed and recycled indefinitely.   New containers can be recycled from one ones and even jewelry and building bricks can be made.  The necklace below is made of recycled glass from discarded glass bottles.

Sporting goods are often made from recycled materials such as new tennis balls from old tennis, discarded balls, baseball bats from recycled aluminum, and bicycles from old aluminum parts.  Fashion items such as purses, activewear, backpacks, hats, cell phone and iPad covers and beanie caps are all being made from recycled materials. Plastic bottles can be broken down and made into t-shirts, sweaters or shoes.  Recycled plastic also makes sleeping bags, backpacks and carpeting.

We are also now avoiding the use of many plastics completely by using other materials like corn for the cup and straw pictured above. I have a toothbrush, bathrobe, bed sheets and towels all made out of bamboo.  Bamboo grows very fast and is highly sustainable and since bamboo is a plant, it decomposes naturally in the environment. ...  This 100% natural and 100%  compostable plant can replace plastic. 

Let's all jump on board in recycling, reusing and repurposing and in using products that decompose naturally.  It is easy to do and will help save our planet!

Most of my posts about animals are about those in the wild (especially endangered ones) but there are animals closer to home who need to be taken care of as well and we can do our part to help them.  That applies to shelter animals all of whom need "furever" homes. I have always thought that we should adopt rather than buy when there are so many wonderful, adoptable pets that are in need.

My much loved Tinker, an "adopt a pet" Shih Tzu mix, adopted years ago, passed over the rainbow bridge last fall and, after several months of being an only doggie, his partner, Nunzi, another adopted Shih Tzu mix,  seemed to be a bit lonely and ready for a new best friend.  I was naturally drawn back to the same no kill shelter where we had first gotten Nunzi, to be a companion for Tinker.  This time I was drawn to a cute little fuzzy white fella, who seemed to be a Maltipoo (a mix between a Maltese Terrier and a Poodle).  He came up to the cage fence wagging his tail and cried a little when I walked away...so I fell in love with him.

We took Nunzi to the shelter for a "get acquainted" time. Nunzi seemed to be quite taken with the little white dog so we decided that they would work well together.  Nunzi was getting much older and had slowed down quite a lot.  We thought that a younger dog would pep him up.  I have always found that dogs like to be companion animals and enjoy having another dog around if they have to be left alone at any time. We brought the little dog home and named him Gumby as we thought that  he just looked like what a Gumby should look like.  

I am slightly allergic to dogs who shed and  I care about the shedding in my house.  Neither of these dog types shed very much.  They are listed as hypoallergenic dogs who are adapted well to living in a house. Nunzi was eight when we adopted him and now Gumby is six.  For those who are thinking that adopted dogs bring many problem, I have found that my adopted dogs have been very smart, loving and easy to train.  There are so many types of dogs needing homes out there, so please think about adopting a loyal friend for life at your local shelter or even on rescue sites online if you are looking for a special type of breed. There are many rescues for all types of dogs.  You will be rewarded many times over with the affection and fun that a rescue "fur baby" can give you.