Being a member of the Green Team is very important to SB and I. We are ardent and faithful recyclers, we try to walk or bike as much as possible, we buy local produce, ect. ect.
Last summer, we visited my friend Peaches and her husband down in Sacramento, CA. Those two are certified CAPTAINS of the Green Team. He has an enviro-engineer-type job, and she was the one who first made me aware of all the awful chemicals and plastic-y yuckiness inherent in most baby toys and clothes. It was at their house that I first saw one of these:
Brilliant! Yet somehow intimidating. At first, I snickered a little to myself. Really? Washing and re-using ziplocks? I filed this away as another example of their uber-Green Team status and went along my merry way.
Then of course, I started noticing how often I use a ziplock for half a tomato and then throw it away, or for a handful of almonds, then toss it. My little green conscience started to bug me a little.
Then, I saw another one, at the home of K&A. Those two are definitely Green Team Lieutenants, or something. They even compost. I complimented their bag dryer and enquired where I might get one for myself, having decided that my Green Team Member status was in jeopardy by this point.
K got us one for our anniversary! Wasn’t that kickass of her?
The really fun part is asking people to guess what it is, when it doesn’t currently have a bag on it. I’ve heard something related to noodle making, as well as guesses involving knitting.
You can get one, too, right here. All the cool kids have one.
I used to wash out plastic bags until it got so ridiculously messy. This is perfect! Thanks for sharing your weird-but-cool kitchen gadget. You are mere steps away from recipe sharing, my friend!
I love it! It looks so good in your kitchen!
Sweet! I too have been feeling guilty, and have made a definite effort to grab the tupperware over the ziploc whenever possible. But then I sometimes miss the tiny-ness of the bag … and I think of washing it, but then there’s the drying — and here’s my answer! Awesome! Thank you Jenny … esp. for sharing the link. You had me worried for a tiny bit there that you would leave me link-less …
This is FABULOUS! My favorite kitchen thing of all time, except maybe the can opener. And the toaster. And the spatula. Seriously, I’m in love. Thank you friend!
Awesome! Glad to see it in use.
Thanks for the shout-out!
Wow! What a cool contraption. I’d be really bad at that guessing game – uh…a pasta dryer? Thanks for the tip on this. I grew up with a mother who always dried the zip locks (not for environmental reasons, mind you) in order to save money.
She would LOVE this…and I’m thinking christmas present! Thanks!
It’s difficult to even find recycling here in HK. At least the school has a system. I am planning on doing a whole blog entry dedicated to the search for recycling in HK. Once I get my official blog training that is. I caught myself saving my ziplocks as soon as we got here. Living in the big city, you have to haul everything, it is sure another incentive to reuse rather than another trip to the store. The pollution is so bad here. You have to do what you can. Evidentally it is better here than in the rest of China. Coal you know. You and peaches continue to be my inspiration here. If I recall peaches and her hubby even save the plastic produce bags! Whew…We bought one of those cool shopping carts on wheels as soon as we got here, and try to buy organic from the local markets as much as possible. MMM good. What is this my own personal blog entry. I will shut up! Clearly I need someone to talk to. I’ll call soon…hliv
Occidental Girl: Ha! You will be first, I promise.
Tacoma Recycler: Sorry my dumb comment verification made you double post. Thanks for being a Green Team inspiration. I want to do a garden next year so I want to get a composter thing started like you have.
chickadee: You know I got you covered, girl. Hey did you see the kickass Fruit Nest on that link?
Rona: Yay! I’m glad you like it!
Jill: Sweet! It’s an excellent gift. You can make her guess what it is!
Heather: Wow! That must be so frustating. I often give thanks for our easy and efficient recyclying systems in Tacoma.
Just last night I was telling S about this and how you have out hippie’d me AGAIN and that I needed one ASAP.
Stupid “funny” cookies…make me say stupid things! LOL
Anyway…
You should get one! hey are indeed a badge of honor!
Oh V and her cookies.
No one will ever read my comments. I am so in the past now!
back back back…
I am reading them and loving them all, dear friend!