Just one thing

Inspired by this (one paragraph out of a larger post elsewhere, and for the life of me I can't remember how to trackback to it! :) ), I've restarted my paper recycling drive here at work. I've given everyone notices that we're back on track, I've stuck up notices by all the copy machines - though both use paper, which is probably not a good start, but I don't have any plasma screens handy, especially not solar-powered ones... (vicious circle!)

Two years ago, the primary school on campus made cash from recycling company Sappi by collecting waste paper for them. Last year, Sappi decided not to pay anymore as the demand is not great enough for them to make a profit on recycled paper. However, we can still collect it, they'll pick it up and process it.

So that's what we're doing. Everything goes to the primary school (my son gets a chocolate every term for bringing the most paper too!), and we prevent all that excess stuff landing on the rubbish heap.

Why am I doing this, if we don't get paid for it? Because not everything is about money. Because in my effort to live greener, more eco-sensitive this year, I can't afford not to care about waste paper. Because I can do something about it, and because I'm the only one who will do something about it.

And because I hope that by using recycled paper to package my products later this year, I'll be able to close the circle in at least one part of my life.

Baby steps. Change doesn't necessarily require giant steps.

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By the way, I only just handed out recycling notices to the office folk, and I've already received 3 boxes of waste paper! "If you provide it, they will come", to paraphrase a church-planter's saying. It seems that people really do want to make a difference, and all it takes is the opportunity to do so.

Can I challenge you to find a cause and to provide the opportunity? Then consider yourself challenged!

::update::
I just noticed two old textbooks I hauled out of the rubbish a while back, sitting on top of the filing cabinet. Next big recycling project? A second-hand "store" inspired by Robbymac's recent post on his college days. A place where staff and students can dump unwanted books, clothes, furniture etc - and where others who could use such things can pick them up or swap something else for them. As soon as both staff and students are back on campus....