As we approach Earth Day, may I make a suggestion?
If you are one to occasionally indulge in a coffee-shop-purchased hot drink to go, the next time you find yourself without your own mug, ask for the beverage sans lid to go without or to reuse one you have saved.
I’ve noticed around campus that at most establishments, the lids for the to-go cups are marked with a number six, indicating non-recyclable, non-biodegradable polystyrene plastic. Every bit of this kind of plastic must be thrown away and represents a small amount of oil that could have seen better use as medicine or clothing. If you go without a lid, you’ll notice in yourself a more mindful gait to not spill the drink, thus providing a good opportunity to meditate on the cumulative impact that your everyday actions have upon our environment.
Thomas Kirkpatrick
University undergraduate
For disposable cups, forget the lid, preserve the oil
March 31, 2009
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