Safe disposal of medicine: save time on 28 April

Did you know that the national drug take-back program is coming up soon?  And by soon, I mean Saturday, 28 April.  I love this.  Chris and I participated last year.

So here's the deal.  The trash we throw away regardless of whether it goes into a landfill or worse, is carted around the earth on those trash barges, has the potential to leach harmful chemicals into to soil, groundwater, and ultimately us.  Flushing meds down the toilet is advisable for some, but not all meds.  But, here's the rub with that.  Flushing meds down the toilet introduces the chemicals into our water stream. 

Another method for disposing of medications is to ground them up in coffee grinds.  Ok, sure, that can be done.  But Chris and I don't drink coffee, and after our coffee maker died a couple of years ago we didn't replace it.  So that's not an option for us.

We will be ridding ourselves of 16 expired meds and containers

Luckily, on 28 April from 10 am to 2 pm, a nation-wide program has been instituted to safely dispose of medications.  I can't wait.  It cannot come soon enough.  Since April of last year I have been hording meds that Chris and I have taken (and empty medicine containers - it sucks that those can't be reused by the pharmacist or at least recycled!).  We also have a very old and aging dog, Byron, who is has had to have various meds over the year. 

I encourage everybody to check their medicine cabinets for any expired medications.  This is a great way to reduce clutter and get rid of your meds safely.  We will be dropping off at least 16 meds at Richmond's Southside Community Center (assuming this year's location is the same as last years!)

It's getting personal: how green am I?

So I am constantly trying to find ways to reduce my use of plastic, invest in our local economy, and create less pollution.  To this end, I want to share with you my routine for personal hygiene.  There is some definite improvement to be made.

Here are the things for which I feel guilty:

1.  I wear contact lenses most of the time.  Every time I open new lenses (about once a month), throw away old lenses, or recycle empty saline solution bottles, I wonder if it is necessary to wear contacts.  However, I recognize that it is through my own vanity that choose to wear them.  I cringe a little bit every time I show up to work (in the library) wearing glasses.  I am not that stereotypical eyeglass wearing, shushing, stern librarian.  Plus, I love wearing non-prescription sunglasses!

2.  I use an electric toothbrush and buy (prescription) toothpaste in a plastic container.  I feel bad about this, that I use a sonicare toothbrush and refuse to make my own toothpaste.  Oh, and I forgot to count the plastic containers that my dental floss comes in too!  But, I have horrid teeth.  I visit my dentist or periodontist once every 3 months.  I've had numerous oral surgeries to help keep my teeth in my mouth.  I am motivated by my realization that if I don't take care of my teeth I will lose them.  So, I feel less guilt about my oral hygiene products.

3.  I do use a blow dryer for my hair.  I have naturally curly frizzy hair, and blow dry my hair straight most mornings.  But, the shorter my hair, the less time using the dryer, so I plan on having shorter hair for a while.

Here are the things for which I am proud:

1.  I recently discovered the joy of making my own deodorant.  It is so easy and I can reuse our old deodorant containers, so I am really reducing our plastic consumption.  The recipe I use is based on the Passionate Homemaking recipe.  It really is a strong, and worth trying.

2.  I have also begun using shampoo bar soap that I purchase through Dress Green on Etsy.  The sweet orange shampoo bar has a heavenly smell and is very affordable.  Both Chris and I love this shampoo bar.  I have to admit, it did take 10 days for my incredibly greasy hair to become accustomed to it, but the knowledge that I am adding fewer chemicals into our watershed was well worth the embarrassment of a few days of greasy hair.  Good-bye Pantene, and good riddance!

3.  My facial soap is a goat milk soap that Chris and I purchase at our local farmers' market.  It is a great moisturizer and has a wonderful fragrance.  We like both the magnolia and the lavender soaps.

4.  I don't wear makeup, so I don't have to worry about adding chemicals such as formaldehyde to my skin.  I also don't dye my hair any more.  At 36 I haven't had any gray hairs, yet, but once I start getting them, this may change.  I don't know how I feel about gray in my hair.

I am always looking for ways I can improve my attempts to live a greener life.  Do you have any suggestions for how I can improve my personal care routine?  If so, I'd love to hear them!