Opinion: Choose To Re-Use
REFUSE THE REFUSE….. CHOOSE TO RE-USE
By Jennifer Troy
Organic and Natural
The amount of “wasteful waste” accumulated everyday, world-wide is staggering. Here in my corner of the world, Portland, Oregon, waste is everywhere. We have careless waste, we have intentional waste, we have good intentioned waste, we have plastic waste and we have paper waste, just to mention a few. It is my wish to draw attention to waste that need not be wasted. Sometimes we accept a premise just because everyone else seems to accept it. Human beings are sheep. I hope to convince you that often the things we do because we think it is the “right” thing for the environment may in fact be short-sighted and wrong. Shockingly, “organic” and “natural” may not always be the best answer. I believe with all of my heart re-use and re-purpose in the end will be the best way forward.
Paper or Plastic?
Take as an example, the recent “Paper or Plastic” epidemic sweeping through the nation. We did it! We finally got the public involved in saving the environment by ousting plastic and replacing it with the greener choice of paper. We’ve been so successful that half the rain forests of the Pacific NW and elsewhere are being systematically destroyed, not to mention the massive amount of paper in its many forms is now rotting in our landfills. Repeat after me, “re-use and re-purpose”.
Re-Use and Re-Purpose
Paper or Progress?
Natural means natural…. not sustainable, durable or reusable as it’s synthetic counterparts. “Synthetic”? “Synthetic”? That means man-made. Yes, man-made. These textiles were designed to be reused. Designed to be washed and NOT discarded. Why on earth have we put so much energy into creating, recycling and re-purposing plastic if we’re now simply going to ban it? Wake up, America there is a better way, there is progress.
Re-Educate and Re-Use
Polypropylene is a white, mechanically rugged material with a high chemical resistance. Polypropylene is the second-most widely produced commodity plastic (after polyethylene) and it is often used in packaging and labeling. There is an abundance of polypropylene plastic, which we have been so successful in recycling; just sitting in limbo while we destroy our natural habitat in our quest to be “green”. If we can make people aware that their choice of “paper” could prove to be more detrimental to the environment than choosing “plastic”, I wonder if it is possible to change minds. I am hoping we can “re-educate” consumers and change minds before we miss the opportunity to re-use and re-purpose plastic.
Paper or Progress
Consider the option of “Paper or Progress”, paper now being the less appropriate choice in the face of environmentalism. Say you were offered the choice of Paper or Progress upon checkout at the market…. “What’s that”? you may wonder….. “What could be a better choice than ‘natural’ paper”….. Well, um…. Plastic. Let’s face it… it’s here to stay so why not make use of it, cut waste in half and save the rest of our trees which provide oxygen for us and habitat for the wild creatures, giving the world a chance to thrive.
A NewSolution
There is a solution. A NewSolution in sight. NewSolution is a company that links homeless people to a new life and at the same time works to save the environment by re-purposing plastic products. A plan of action uniting the prosperous with the downtrodden is the end goal. NewSolutions wants to generate work opportunities, save the environment, reduce waste by 2/3rds, promote self sustainability and hopefully bring together a coalition working towards a common goal of housing the homeless.
Okidoki
Okidoki shopping bags
NewSolutions, more commonly known by its brand name Okidoki is well-known around Portland. NewSolutions recycle billboards and make them into both elegant and practical bags, rain wear, and carriers of all sorts from hampers to wine bags. These re-useable products are made locally by unemployed people, often homeless or living on the edge. The products are sold at farmers markets, street fairs and a myriad of other locations. The response to these items has been phenomenal.
Paper or Progress
Progressive markets such as Green Zebra, New Seasons, Whole Foods, Natural Foods and Trader Joe’s center their operations on catering to the demands of their clientele. If the general response to the “Paper or Progress?” question is to opt for “Progress”, these markets may choose to switch from paper to the re-usable bags created by NewSolutions . The NewSolutions vision goes beyond re-use and re-usable. It is about providing work for the previously homeless. With the “Paper or Progress?” paradigm you help the environment, and put someone to work.
Around North Portland
The Kenton Women’s Village, is a tiny house community of 14 women in North Portland funded by Catholic Charities and other local organizations to give housing to the formerly homeless. Two Kenton Village ladies are now making Okidoki products. These women are learning a new trade and working their way towards independence. Machines, materials, tools and instruction were provided by Okidoki for these women to learn how to make a living and avoid facing rejection in their attempt to grow and improve. What better solution than learning and creating among friends in the security of their own home? Not only does it foster re-use and re-purposing of plastic, but also the re-purposing of lives. I like that idea.
Why Not?
Catholic Charities and a coalition group of local community organizations are building a “new” Kenton Village for these women. New tiny homes, electricity, plumbing, community area, etc… During construction the women are being housed elsewhere. The aforementioned charities, most significantly, Catholic Charities, is spearheading the ‘housing the homeless mission’. Up to this point I was on their team. However, a change in attitude seems to have developed among the project directors. In fact, the idea of a ‘community workshop’, ‘skills building center’, has hit a wall of resistance. The idea of incorporating a work pod into the new community space just like was in the original Kenton Women’s Village seems only reasonable and logical.
Teach Skills
It seems to me that closing the workshop is closing the door on a chance to teach residents valuable skills. In addition to NewSolutions, we currently have a small engine mechanic eager to teach people this valuable skill. I also know an individual who would love to formulate a computer training program and give classes for the residents. There is a need for training so that the homeless with a little help and some vocational education can reach self-sufficiency.
Catholic Charities
At this moment we are concerned that putting a roof over the head of the homeless person seems to be the end goal. From my point of view, the roof is just the beginning. Catholic Charities echo the same ol’, same ol’. The women they say, are working towards independence from the streets and the system; yet they offer no means for this to occur. In the 2 years the The Kenton Village has existed, to my knowledge; not one resident has moved up and on. The first residents are there, leading to stagnation. It seems as important, to me, that we offer a mechanism to change the current life to a better life.
Guidance and Structure
It is not the fault of the homeless person. At some point the contract between the person and society broke down and the person became homeless. Social isolation, hostile weather, drug and alcohol addiction, mental illness and poverty make life on the streets hard. People who have endured that life for any length of time need to decompress, rehab, get medicated and learn a skill. Learning the skill broadens a person’s horizon and bolsters self-esteem. Early in the process they need guidance and structure. These people have forgotten their value and gone to where they must… and coming in from the cold takes work, encouragement, and a dream to chase. Let’s offer an opportunity to move up. Let’s go beyond a roof over the head.
