My dear friend and I have very enthusiastic conversations about conservation, plastic, and recycling, to mention a few. We tend to open each other’s eyes to different viewpoints. However, I have to admit, I think he is coming around to my side of the table. Even so, he has definitely opened my eyes to facts I never thought about.

I am not a big fan of plastic. Yes, it does have its place in our society, especially in hospitals and plumbing. However, I try my best to avoid it when ever possible and use some alternative, canvas bags, metal or glass jars and containers, instead of plastic; you get the picture.

My friend lives in San Francisco and needs to walk his dog several times a day. Of course he also cleans up when the dog relieves himself. The other day he proudly told me about his resourceful way of cleaning up his dog’s poop, the neighborhood, and reusing those dreadful vegetable plastic bags he collects when shopping at the grocery store. He knows I don’t and has informed me about how disgusting shopping carts are – they are rarely ever cleaned and some are used by people to store their possessions who don’t have regular access to bathing facilities. I guess they do get very gross and, yes, I just put my produce in them. I wash my produce, for sure, but now I wash them very well.

He told me he uses empty vegetable and bread bags to pick up after his dog. And during the walk, he picks up any trash along the way. When the bag is full, he simply deposits it into a trashcan.  I have to admit this is a fabulous idea. He no longer needs to buy little poop bags and reuses the bags from his produce and bread. Brilliant!

What do you reuse?  Please share and I will continue to share.