A Few Of My Favorite Things

Every week, my husband and I have the same conversation about recycling plastic.

Him, holding up another carefully washed out yogurt tub: “How many times have we gone over this — does this container have a screw top?”

Me: “Um … oh. Oh yeah.”

Our county’s full-color glossy brochure posted on the side of our fridge helpfully itemizes and depicts the items that can and cannot be left for pickup. It couldn’t be more clear. For some reason, though, the illness I feel at the thought of throwing them away wipes out this knowledge, and, look, it’s Groundhog Day!

So, while I make lunches and ruminate on the possibilities of growing our own food, making our own yogurt, worm composting, and not adding to the plastic bag island in the sea, these little things cheer me:

1. One sandwich wrap sold by my son’s school that also acts as a place mat. (The sales pitch was horrifying and funny: “They take a mop to clean the tables in between lunch shifts, and they use the same water…” You had me at mop.)

2. Two sandwich-shaped boxes that we use every single day to hold, yes, sandwiches, and also apple slices and what have you. I get positively giddy over how perfectly the bread tucks into its container, and how easy they are for little fingers to open. (Control issues? I prefer to look at it as an appreciation of good design.)

3. Mesh bags. Although my former cherry tomato bag (not pictured) has mysteriously disappeared over disagreements about its hygienic qualities. I have looked for small mesh bags at Target and fabric stores, but so far can’t find them sold as containers in and of themselves, without the potpourri, for instance. I’m sure someone else has thought of this, right? If you’ve seen them, please tell!

They are not perfect solutions — reusable, yes, but perhaps not so recyclable once they’ve worn themselves out. But they’re studier than, say, parchment paper, and have also helped us cut way, way back on ziplock bags and plastic wrap.

And they make me remember that it’s always the little things that matter most.

UPDATE: Slate’s “Green Lantern” tells you what to do if you forget your recycling rules.

UPDATE: Ask and receive: Resusablebags.com, which is going to be getting my business for its lunch bags asap.

UPDATE for Minneapolis folks, from my friend Liz:

For #5 plastic: http://www.preserveproducts.com/recycling/gimme5locations.html

For lots of different kinds of plastics: http://www.eastsidefood.coop/content/plastics-recycling-eastside