I've been meaning to say, but I talk so much already and it makes me nervous... but I've read a few books you've talked about over the last couple of years and they've all been so good. It would be really cool if you did a book club or even just a recommended reading list. I dunno how many people you could get in to that, but I would be in to it and have been wanting to ask. Happy Sunday 😊
Dear Kate (and Neko, for sharing her thoughts) — I hear ya! I’m a 69-yr old self-professed trash picker. I’m in good company. There’s you, Kate, and David Sedaris; others, too, I imagine. I live in Vermont (Charlotte) as well and have made it my habit to walk the roads near my house every day and pick up other people’s trash as I do so. Cigarette butts are some of the worst. Elimination of ash trays in cars (a good thing!) has made the situation worse. On the mildly plus side, I have found some amazing trash. A massive bag of fresh kale. A complete set of Milwaukee power tools. Cordless! With chargers! A brand new backpack with brand new bong. $10 + dollars. But, by far, most is absolutely disgusting. Not as bad as poo-coated beer cans, but… Yes. Vermont has Green Up Day, but the very next day, the trash is back. Every day is Green Up Day! Bless you, Kate. And Neko. (Maybe a song about trash? Whatevs. Love your music. Sing out, sing on, sister!
So much to say, because humans are gross and a lot of times there isn't an excuse, but sometimes... there is. The dirtiest wilderness I ever saw was in Jamaica. This is not to talk trash about Jamaica. Trash and poverty can often be connected (also reading now that because they way the ocean current moves the island ends up with a lot of trash on the shores that floats in from other places). Apparently part of the problem there is that people cannot afford waste collection services. Not to mention the ever producing hands of capitalism, in which companies could give two boots about how wasteful their production is or will become. I guess what I'm saying is that I agree that individual responsibility and cultural shifts about garbage management is important, but I also believe we need large structural change to navigate these issues to make these changes more efficient and long term. And as the child of janitors, let's also hire more janitors and lets also pay and respect janitors what they deserve for cleaning up everyone's crap.
Agreed. We don't go as far as this huge topic in this post but it is always on my mind as well. I have been researching the ACTUAL cost of recycling plastic and it's staggering. This will definitely be a post one of these days.
I didn't doubt you had thought this big, cause you always seem conscious of larger systemic issues. Also definitely wasn't a critique, just a part of the discussion ☺️ Yup this shit costs a lot of money, but somehow billionaires seem to think it's a more immediate need to fly their children to space 😖😖
Hats off to everyone who packs out what they pack in and cleans up after others. Being the janitor, indoors or outdoors, is one of the most thankless jobs in our society - and it can make you hate people after a while. Deep breaths.
I have to admit to the “cigarette flicking”. I always heard they decompose rapidly and never questioned it. I will be rethinking that particular action post haste!
Litter always makes me sad and mad, in equal measure. It is everywhere. In the deep wilds of Alaska, Kauai, the lovely coast of Portugal, my hometown of Akron, everywhere I have lived and loved. So disappointing. I just keep picking up what I can.
Pucker up, Neko...! I may only manage these days to get out into the urban wilderness, but man, the thoughtless oafs inhabiting those spaces. I see just one lone cig butt on sidewalk I'll bend my now near permanently painful back to retrieve and discard properly. Most infuriating are trash items laying right at the foot of trash receptacles. Wow, some folks incapable of even plunking trash properly into the opening that's right there. Bounces off and falls to the ground? Never mind. Someone else's problem. Humans...
Thank you Kate! You remind me of alot of things including do what matters to you and tell stories of your experience. Do it. It's okay or even vital to see what's around us and build a relationship to it even if humans around you don't feel the same way. I was sort of coveting the scrap lumber in your retelling since that could all be super useful reused. You're fierce Kate.
No one is
I've been meaning to say, but I talk so much already and it makes me nervous... but I've read a few books you've talked about over the last couple of years and they've all been so good. It would be really cool if you did a book club or even just a recommended reading list. I dunno how many people you could get in to that, but I would be in to it and have been wanting to ask. Happy Sunday 😊
Dear Kate (and Neko, for sharing her thoughts) — I hear ya! I’m a 69-yr old self-professed trash picker. I’m in good company. There’s you, Kate, and David Sedaris; others, too, I imagine. I live in Vermont (Charlotte) as well and have made it my habit to walk the roads near my house every day and pick up other people’s trash as I do so. Cigarette butts are some of the worst. Elimination of ash trays in cars (a good thing!) has made the situation worse. On the mildly plus side, I have found some amazing trash. A massive bag of fresh kale. A complete set of Milwaukee power tools. Cordless! With chargers! A brand new backpack with brand new bong. $10 + dollars. But, by far, most is absolutely disgusting. Not as bad as poo-coated beer cans, but… Yes. Vermont has Green Up Day, but the very next day, the trash is back. Every day is Green Up Day! Bless you, Kate. And Neko. (Maybe a song about trash? Whatevs. Love your music. Sing out, sing on, sister!
Check out Pete Seeger's "Garbage." It's on Youtube. It's genius.
Bless you and all your efforts! Thank you for all you do.
So much to say, because humans are gross and a lot of times there isn't an excuse, but sometimes... there is. The dirtiest wilderness I ever saw was in Jamaica. This is not to talk trash about Jamaica. Trash and poverty can often be connected (also reading now that because they way the ocean current moves the island ends up with a lot of trash on the shores that floats in from other places). Apparently part of the problem there is that people cannot afford waste collection services. Not to mention the ever producing hands of capitalism, in which companies could give two boots about how wasteful their production is or will become. I guess what I'm saying is that I agree that individual responsibility and cultural shifts about garbage management is important, but I also believe we need large structural change to navigate these issues to make these changes more efficient and long term. And as the child of janitors, let's also hire more janitors and lets also pay and respect janitors what they deserve for cleaning up everyone's crap.
Agreed. We don't go as far as this huge topic in this post but it is always on my mind as well. I have been researching the ACTUAL cost of recycling plastic and it's staggering. This will definitely be a post one of these days.
I'm sorry I'm never going to forget or forgive this space bs 😂
I didn't doubt you had thought this big, cause you always seem conscious of larger systemic issues. Also definitely wasn't a critique, just a part of the discussion ☺️ Yup this shit costs a lot of money, but somehow billionaires seem to think it's a more immediate need to fly their children to space 😖😖
Hats off to everyone who packs out what they pack in and cleans up after others. Being the janitor, indoors or outdoors, is one of the most thankless jobs in our society - and it can make you hate people after a while. Deep breaths.
I have to admit to the “cigarette flicking”. I always heard they decompose rapidly and never questioned it. I will be rethinking that particular action post haste!
Litter always makes me sad and mad, in equal measure. It is everywhere. In the deep wilds of Alaska, Kauai, the lovely coast of Portugal, my hometown of Akron, everywhere I have lived and loved. So disappointing. I just keep picking up what I can.
Pucker up, Neko...! I may only manage these days to get out into the urban wilderness, but man, the thoughtless oafs inhabiting those spaces. I see just one lone cig butt on sidewalk I'll bend my now near permanently painful back to retrieve and discard properly. Most infuriating are trash items laying right at the foot of trash receptacles. Wow, some folks incapable of even plunking trash properly into the opening that's right there. Bounces off and falls to the ground? Never mind. Someone else's problem. Humans...
Thank you Kate! You remind me of alot of things including do what matters to you and tell stories of your experience. Do it. It's okay or even vital to see what's around us and build a relationship to it even if humans around you don't feel the same way. I was sort of coveting the scrap lumber in your retelling since that could all be super useful reused. You're fierce Kate.
I built my garden shed out of found lumber.
Thank you Kate for everything that you do - and for the reminders about waste....let's hope others read this and share it.....