So the state of Georgia is in the middle of a major water shortage right now, a combination of drought conditions, strained resources because of growth and the legal requirement to release water from our reservoirs to states downstream. A near-total watering ban in North Georgia was instituted a few weeks ago, with a few exceptions (including watering home food gardens). Fountains are dry. Pansies have been pulled up or not planted. Neighbors are reporting neighbors who water their lawns or wash their cars in the driveway. And talk of closing down the University of Georgia (that county's largest water user) keeps the rumor mill churning, as does the reported fact that unless things change, we could literally dry up Lake Lanier by January.
Much is being written. Except about one thing, which now poses a little dilemma to me. Recycling.
Recycling is not required for homeowners in Atlanta. In my county, homeowners who want to recycle pay an annual fee for curbside pickup once a week. (You can also drive your recyclables to a recycling center for free.) We joined this program on Earth Day in April of this year, and I am truly shocked each week by the quantity of recyclables we have. Here is a photo of a particularly heavy week.
The problem? I am required to wash out containers before recycling them. We eat a lot of yogurt, for example, and those yogurt containers take a few minutes of water flow each in order to clean just adequately. With this water shortage, do I stop recycling these items or do I use the water to clean them? Which is more wasteful? I don't know.
And therein lies the challenge. Knowing what really makes a difference and what simply appears to make a difference but perhaps causes another problem. Does eating organic food help the planet if that food is processed, packaged and shipped around the world? Does putting kids on school buses help if those buses are spewing diesel exhaust? Does walking instead of driving help if the time I saved driving could be spent in productive labor?
Apparently, these few weeks of banned water have resulted in a 15-20% drop in water consumption in metro Atlanta. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, water officials say we need to come down another 15% and increased bans are probable.
As for my yogurt, I think I'll switch to only large containers instead of those convenient small ones. That's less washing, reduced packaging, and cost savings as well. It's the little things that matter. I think.
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2 comments:
I have something like that happen a few times when I find out what I think was helping was actually causing another problem. It can be frustrating! I think I'd keep recycling but like you suggested try larger containers.
I'm sorry to hear about the water shortages. It is something to keep in mind when trying to decide where we want to move. I don't want to try to farm somewhere if there isn't enough water!
I always use the last of the dish-washing water to rinse things for recycling - they don't have to be clean enough to eat off, just enough to discourage the ants and things getting into them before they get where they are going.
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