Mom and Pop Place Blog

We all know the “3 R’s” of conservation: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.  I think they’re good values to live by and to teach your kids, in all aspects of life.  But, I think we tend to get the “3 R’s” out of order.  There is so much emphasis on Recycling that the other R’s tend to get overlooked.  I strongly believe that the only way to lead more sustainable lives is to Reduce the amount of stuff we consume.  We can Reduce the amount of trash we throw away, the amount of food we eat, the amount of energy we consume.  Reusing things in a good way to Reduce our consumption.  And Recycling should really be a last resort.  I understand why Recycling gets such a strong push.  It’s easy to do.  Almost as easy as throwing something away.  In terms of resource conservation, it’s actually pretty much the same as throwing something away.  We just get to feel less guilty about it.  Reducing what we actually consume is much harder to do.   Don’t I know it.  It’s hard to use cloth napkins instead of paper towels.  It’s hard to resist buying that cute new top and just wearing the one I bought last year.  It’s hard to drink out of the drinking fountain when the icy cold water bottle is calling you from the cooler.  These are all conscious decisions I sometimes have to force myself to make.  I do the best I can.

I want to teach my kids to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, in that order.  I want them to know that they don’t need lots of stuff to be happy.  That they don’t need something new to feel fulfilled.  It’s a lesson I am trying to teach myself too.

“But, wait,” you may be saying  “you own a retail store.  Your livelyhood depends on selling more stuff to people.  Doesn’t that make you a hypocrite?”  I  prefer the word “conflicted” to the word “hypocrite”. I do feel conflicted about my job.  I try really hard not to push stuff on people that they don’t need.  My goal is to offer them good alternatives for the products they are already looking for.  I try to choose quality toys that will last  through multiple kids and baby gear that you will actually use (becasue it works).  But, as a store owner, I do contribute to society’s consumption in general.  So, I feel an even greater responsibilty to Reduce and Reuse in my regular life.  Like I said, I do the best I can.  This Earth Day (Wednesday April 22nd, 2009), we’re going to make it easier for YOU to Reduce and Reuse in your life.  For one day only, Mom and Pop Place will offer a 15% discount on all Sigg bottles and all cloth diapers and accessories.  Give us a call at (920) 725-0488 for details.