i finally had a bunch of holiday photos printed, while there was a special offer on at a local stationery shop - 15 cents a print. Then I went rummaging in cupboards as I had a feeling I had an old photo album or two tucked away. And yes, I did find one that was completely empty, and had space for 500 photos.
There's only one problem - it was produced in the days when photos were printed 3 x 5 inches, and mine are 4 x 6 inches. It doesn't seem as if it is a big difference, and yet the layout for 3 x 5 fits five photos to a page by careful layout, whereas the newer albums for 6 x 4 prints only manage two to a page.
It suddenly occurred to me that we waste huge amounts of resources just by insisting on making things a little bigger and better.
Oh the other hand, a suggestion I saw that we would save several tons of iron if everyone used one less staple a day seems ridiculous. (Wouldn't it be better to use fewer tin cans instead?)
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
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8 comments:
Hi Catherine
agree with the tin can stuff but I do succumb as lychees aften only come incans and they remind me of SA..oh dear and beans as I cant' be bothered to soak.. I must be better about this. Do you get organic box deliveries of produce in NZ? I used to get a box evey other week all lose and local.
I always appreciate your common sense approach to life Catherine.
A lot of people who make decisions are just the opposite. Silly people. (Have you ever thought of entering politics - I'd vote for you!)
I agree with CB. Your down-to-earth style would serve you well in public office.
:)
I appreciate that you notice the little things. They do add up. But then, the big things - like the completely idiotic and selfish things the US does - seems to overcome it all. But onward I say. And work for change.
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BTW, I stopped by to say that ReadWritePoem is up and at "em. Would love to see you there if you are inclined.
http://readwritepoem.org/
Not really related but I've meant to share with you that I once knew a poet from Christchurch and everytime I visit your blog I think of her. We no longer correspond, but now I have another connection to a place I'd like to visit one day. I'm glad I stumbled unto your blog.
Catherine, Michele sent me again and I am so happy to comment on this post. I too find this resizing such a waste! Printers, cell phone chargers, post office requirements for greeting card sizes etc - this all creates so much waste. Regarding the tin cans, are they making an assumption that it's easier to recycle the cans than the staples?
Dara, my point was this - I've been using the same box of staples at work for about five years. Maybe if I try very hard to use fewer, I could make it last for ten. That's about the same amount of metal as a couple of tin cans, I think. With a little thought I could easily save that much metal in a week by using fewer tin cans -so much more worth doing than worrying about staples, in my opinion.
I try to use as few tin cans as possible, staples too, you're certainly right though about the scale of effect in reducing use of these items.
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