Recycling Republican

This post is not a political statement, really. I titled it ‘Recycling Republican’ because I never tire of alliteration. And, a friend of mine (Democrat) jokes and generalizes that Republicans do not recycle. However, she has been to our house, and she is well aware of the fact that we do recycle and we are Republicans. In fact, our households (hers and mine) recycle so much, little is left for the trash man. We’ve discussed how our trash cans contain only one 13 gallon-size trash bag each week for garbage pick-up.

In addition, my Democratic friend knows that my husband sorts our recyclables downstairs in our basement. He separates everything and breaks it down as much as possible. And, about once every three months, he loads up his car and takes the recyclables a recycling facility.

Recycling is a bipartisan responsibility. The real purpose for this post is to thank the product makers for making easily recycled products, as well as cursing the product makers for making products that are difficult to recycle.

Method home and personal care products: GOOD. I sing praise to Adam Lowry and Eric Ryan for the design of the bottles used for their products. While I can’t speak to every Method product, I can tell you many of their soap products come in containers that are taken apart easily. And, as an added bonus, the design of the bottle allows you to use every last drop of the product! What a concept!

Dove hair care and most all hair care products: BAD. When was the last time you were able to get out every last drop of shampoo, conditioner, gel, spritz, spray, etc.? And, how many hair care products have you come across where the cap does not come off easily? What I mean by that is the fact that the cap is not a ‘screw’ cap. Making it virtually impossible to fully empty or break down the container.

This gripe may seem trivial, but in the scheme of reducing, reusing and recycling – containers matter.

Guinness. I love you. Really. Oh, how I love you, Guinness. But the rocket widget in your glass bottles: BAD. Why did you start producing Guinness draft in bottles? The can was fine. The can is good. The can is easy to empty and recycle. Getting the widget out of the can is far easier (and neater) than getting the rocket widget out of the bottle. Guinness bottle: BAD. Guinness can: GOOD. Mmm mmm good! My only request regarding the cans: start selling 6 and 12 packs, please. Thank you.

Most all toilet bowl cleaners: BAD. Most all dish-washing detergents: BAD. Most all glass (plus a whole lot more) cleaners: BAD. Generally speaking, not unlike my friend, a majority of household products are difficult to use (to the last drop) or break down completely. While the trend for household products is BAD, facial tissue, toothbrush and dental floss containers are GOOD, when it comes to using and breaking down completely. And, most food products are packaged in easily used and recycled containers, so things like: soup, cereal, pizza, pasta n’cheese, yogurt, applesauce, etc. get the GOOD rating. Oh, and thankfully, ice cream containers are easily used (eaten) and broken down completely. (Emphasis on easily eaten completely.) Again, my gripe may seem trivial, but containers matter.

Remember, recycling is a bipartisan responsibility. And, this here Republican may not be perfect, but she does recycle! My plea to manufacturing companies is for them to create better recyclable packaging across the board, while also creating packaging the enables to user to get every last ‘drop’.

P.S. My thanks to Ben & Jerry’s for being such an environmentally conscious and friendly manufacturer. I’d hate to give them up to make a statement.