Comments on: The End of the World is Coming and I’m Still not Buying New Plastic

By: vikess

vikess — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 02:45:42 +0000

I read this post late…..and, of course, we all know the world has not ended by now. The reading of this article came at the right time for me….I am glad to know that people who are really making a difference feel overwhelmed and hopeless at times. It helps to know that others have the same feelings…..thank you for that.

By: Rosa M

Rosa M — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 02:20:35 +0000

I wonder often about what point there is to an individual change, just like you said at the beginning of this post.But I have made so many changes the last few years becuase you took the time to do the research, and set the example, and speak up. Things I thought about doing but wouldn’t have done if it were harder to get the information or think up a solution. Because you made it so much easier to find those things, it was easier for me to make changes – and I know I’m not alone in that.So wallow and go watch True Blood for a while if you want, but don’t give up. What you’re doing has a bigger impact than you realize.

By: Ann

Ann — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 19:30:11 +0000

Well Beth, we are all still here! Aren’t you glad we didn’t all have a “to hell with it” plstic waste party! Christmas has come and gone, enjoyed, and to my delighted amazement (in our house at least) with only one small potato crisps packetful of waste to go to landfill! All else is recycleable or just what the children will want for “art” at preschool. Gifts were either vouchers, or wrapped in Christmas teatowels or red or green cotton bags wrapped in cotton ribbon. And I sewed my own Christmas table napkins, so no paper serviettes! Nice not to have any guilt left over after the event!! I hope you too had a happy Christmas.

By: chicknlil

chicknlil — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 21:40:25 +0000

Beth,
What you do is vitally important. Each Time I go to the store or shop online I take into account how the item is wraped and it’s long term impact on the environment. Your posts keep me diligent and inspired to do better and what you do and how you give is making a difference. I keep my plastic consumption in mind when I buy for my off farm job and when I buy for the farm. Rest assured that folks that have no idea who you are, are getting your message through me, and I’m not the only one singing the gosple of less plastic, so your circle of influence is huge! I’ve learned so much reading your blog and I truely thank you for your passion and concern for our Earth.

By: Valerie Teruel

Valerie Teruel — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 23:02:00 +0000

Beth, you are only human, but you are the best kind of human out there, and we are all aspiring to follow in your footsteps (picking up any plastic you may have missed) :-)

By: Donna S

Donna S — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 06:41:01 +0000

Beth;
It is late friday night… so I think we are safe to say the world isn’t going anywhere tonight.

I was lucky enough to be in the audience last week in Sacramento. I have been following your Plastic Free blog for a while now, and find your efforts inspiring. I am the one who founded a creative reuse center (recreate.org). Truth is, about a year ago, I was ready to throw in the towel. I felt like my efforts to help make our community and world a better place to live were falling on deaf ears. I was out of energy. I was done. As I got closer to my decision to shutter the nonprofit, something interesting happened. One day I got an email thanking me for what we are doing, and telling me about their waste- free pancake breakfast fundraiser (everyone brought their own plates, utensils), new opportunities to expand our reach popped up…. literally dropped from the sky it seemed. The universe recharged my batteries, and my resolve grew that I was doing the right thing, and my role is to encourage people to stop trashing the planet.

I hope our emails do that for you. I hope you realize just how inspiring you are, and how your efforts truly trickle down. Since I saw you last week, I presented our waste reduction school program to 352 students. I felt more impassioned… I wasn’t just presenting my information, I was recruiting the next generation of environmental stewards.

I finally asked my kids school to start researching an alternative to stryofoam trays. I ordered my glass dharma straws… because while $30 seems a little expensive for a few straws, I’m not investing in straws. I am investing in our environment, so really it is a small price to pay.

Thank you for what you do!

By: Katie

Katie — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 22:22:36 +0000

I definitley feel this way you described. The point is your awesome blog has touched so many people and helped inspire people (myself) to make big changes. I have a diva cup! I was so excited to get it. Who gets excited about a menstral cup? you know you’re a weirdo environmentalist when… lol. and the list goes on- and i find so much inspiration here.
THANK YOU~
ps. its friday, still here.
Katie

By: Clif

Clif — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 21:48:44 +0000

@BethTerry @Clif I think most people would find it overwhelming in one go unless they have at least some knowledge of the story. When it aired originally it was in 1 hour doses with the director, Peter Brook, commenting on the action with some basic explanation of terms. The production is so spartan compared to what we’re used to that it takes getting used to, but once you do, you realize that the acting casts a spell on you and makes the production. Since the cast is international, the English is spoken with many accents (French, Japanese, Indian, British, etc.) but dialog is everything. In some cases masks are used (for the elephant head of Ganesha, for example). The whole thing is so fantasy-like that bewilderment will almost certainly be the first impression. The central idea to keep in mind is that the whole story is a history of the world being told to a young boy who asks, “who am I, where do I come from?” as do we all!

By: Heather Haynes Ybaben

Heather Haynes Ybaben — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 19:23:30 +0000

Wonderful post. I feel the same way–thank you for articulating this issue so well!

By: Brng.it

Brng.it — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 18:51:14 +0000

Thank you for all you do. Maybe sometimes you despair but your efforts are making so many more people aware of the need to rethink plastics. We’ve gotta do something, it feels much better than watching in silence! I think it’s interesting that so many things seem to have come to a head right now. Things are happening that must be addressed, from violence in society to climate change and biodiversity loss. Take heart that apocalypse means revelation. Let’s hope we are all experiencing revelations about how we can and must make course corrections for a better future.