I am not a big fan of broadcast news, its’ too depressing and is so full of propaganda that you can’t believe most of it anyway. The same goes for newspapers and magazines. Plus the amount of waste associated with print media is astounding. But I don’t want to live with my head in the sand…
You know where I stay informed?
Right here online. I subscribe to various EZine’s, forums, blogs and online communities that keep me up to date on the various goings on in our world.
BBC news has a fantastic website and always delivers a very different side to news then our US broadcasts, much more to the point with out all the hype. There is a forum for anything these days, all you need to do is Google your point of interest with the term “forum” on the end of it and you will find one if not several forums full of interested threads.
Blogs, just like this one, are another easy way to stay up to date on various issues. Bloggers who are passionate about various topics do all of the sifting and digging for you and package the information in nice, neat little posts.
Next, check out this link: Facts about Paper & Paper Waste
These statistics in particular jumped out at me:
- One years worth of the New York Times newspaper weighs 520 pounds.
- Every year in the U.S., over 2 billion books, 359 million magazines and 24 billion newspapers are published.
Bottom line, if you don’t need a magazine or newspaper in its’ tangible form, then please don’t buy it. Many newspapers have websites with not only their daily publications but also other article that did not make it in print. Many magazines offer online subscriptions for a fraction of the print subscription as well.
Or, if you just can’t part with your monthly print subscription to Sports Illustrated (my husband) or Mothering (me) then at the very least recycle them when you are through reading them.
Here are a few suggestions for recycling your magazine and newspapers:
- Cut off the mailing label and donate back issues to your doctor’s office.
- Donate them to local schools for resources and projects.
- Donate them to your local free library.
- Cut out good articles and catalog them in a three ring binder with plastic sleeves (this is great for recipes and craft ideas )
I am sure once you think about it you will come up with all sorts of possibilities for your old printed materials around the house. Like many of the green tips I try to provide, many are simple and easy to implement. I would love to hear any suggestions from you so please leave a comment!
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