butts-out

When I posted this entry awhile ago... somebody argued that cigarette butts are bio-degradable....

I found out that they're not, well... they are degradable but it will take decadess... So, it's no surprise you can see them practically anywhere...

"It is estimated that several trillion cigarette butts are littered worldwide every year. That's billions of cigarettes flicked, one at a time, on our sidewalks, beaches, nature trails, gardens, and other public places every single day. In fact, cigarettes are the most littered item in America and the world. Cigarette filters are made of cellulose acetate tow, NOT COTTON, and they can take decades to degrade. Not only does cigarette litter ruin even the most picturesque setting, but the toxic residue in cigarette filters is damaging to the environment, and littered butts cause numerous fires every year, some of them fatal."

from http://www.cigarettelitter.org/

3R

Reuse... Reduce... Recycle...

To support the 3R.... I have bought few reusable bags, some more fancy (envirosax) and some less fancy (rm2.99 giant reusable bag)... Yes, fancy reusable bags are quite expensive, but it's fun and they're pretty.... So, what's wrong of wanting to practise 3R with fancy things right, it makes things more fun... I even bought jessie & lulu so my niece could use it when we groceries shopping together... Instilling green in kids? BTW, she loves this bag, and insisting on putting everything in here...

But imagine my disappointment when I was trying to use these bag @ Giant. The cashier said I MUST use their (super-thin) plastic bag that can bocor anytime on my way to the car. The reason is.... for security reason (like i would steal stuff!). Okay, that's my 1st experience... Then 2nd time, I bought their giant bag... that time I finally get them to put in my stuff in there... I went ahead and asked them whether it would be okay to bring the bag, and reuse that for my next purchase... And guess what she said, a plain and simple "No". So, I immediately pointed at the bag and said, "oh even tho in the bag it said reuse and recycle?". She simply shrugged. I think I will write about this and put my comment in the comment box...

It's such a disappointing thing actually, especially for big corporation like giant. I know in KL, places like tesco and jusco are already promoting less plastic-usage by their reusable bags. Tesco is selling their reusable bags for 99 cents, and if your bag is damaged, you can get a replacement for free...

I'm teaching my 4 yrs old niece to ask this question to cashier when the cashier insists to put stuff in plastic "But plastic cannot be recycled, and it takes 500 years to decompose. So what do you think?".... Let's see what are their reactions. hehehehhe...

Please click here on tips to reduce plastic (and paper) bag consumption

and be informed by these facts and figures regarding the true cost of plastic bags

I think I will only go to places which supports green.

budgetary issues

Truthfully, I've abandoned my quicken from mid-March until April- so that means I have no idea where my money went for those two months. But mmm after checking out my calendar, I knew most of them went for travel. First, my trip to KL in March and another one shopping spree to Bandung in April. This travel-craze gotta stop! It's sooo draining my bank account- maybe I should learn to backpack when travel-save more and travel more...
But from my mid-year audit (should consider auditor as a career) - my expense for fuel in January was ~RM250, while predicted expense for fuel this month is ~RM400++ (that's like almost double of what it used to be!). I would rather spend that extra rm200 on something else like my emergency fund, insurance or even to charity. I'd say that now, but honestly seeing money, I probably spend it on myself. Even now, I've been extremely kedekut with my fuel-only drive to parents home once a week still costs a lot. Should really consider carpooling. It's kinda sayang to see empty passenger seats beside me and at the back (single passenger tambah jammed only). So... I'm advertising myself- any interested hitch hikers??? Don't worrrryyy, I'm an extemely careful driver (hahahaha) and I promise (double promise even) to wake up early!

**Good finance article: Young, Prosperous and Frugal

So from news/rumors, I heard that batch of spm 99 of my school will have its 10 years reunion in January next year. Hmmmm, if I'm like Marissa/Serena/Blair Waldorf, I wouldn't mind showing off my face. But i'd like to think I'm more like Seth Cohen or Dan Humphrey- hehehhe... It's not even confirmed yet, so we'll see if people can actually plan and execute it (i've retired from the planning business yea).

I received sms from Aisya- who mentioned about eco-bag after she read this. This article mentioned how environmental awareness in m'sia is still low. What shocking is this: if we collect the rubbish/garbage m'sian throw away in only NINE days, it could reach the height of KLCC! In average, people are using 8 plastic bags in a week and it takes 100 years to 500 years for plastic to decompose. Apparently recycling in Msia is one of the lowest in the world with only 5% compared to Switzerland 52%, Germany 48% and other european Countries. But it's sooo true, I've never seen a proper recycling center in KK. I mean, I've seen few, but most of recycling bin are filled with other garbage... I've gotten my red-envirosax from mia bambina earlier this year that I just toss in my handbag for my groceries. I wonder if I should learn to make compost (not gelikah this?)....

time for bed... See if I'm rajin to update tomorrow ;)