22,389,301 members doing good!
about our ads
share your passions, stories, inspirations, and more
Give up Styrofoam for Lent
Feb 27, 2006

Ask Prof. Cricket
Give up Styrofoam for Lent
By Naomi Yaeger & Prof. Cricket

UMW Green Team Rep and dog

 
While United Methodists don’t traditionally urge members to give up something for Lent, Prof. Cricket, and I, as your UMW Green Team representative are going to give you a challenge. See if you can refuse to use Styrofoam this Lenten Season. Do you thing it will be easy or hard?  You might be surprised how often Styrofoam is used.

The first summer I gave up using Styrofoam, I actually lost weight while traveling and attending street fairs. That is because a lot of greasy, calorie laden foods are packaged and served with Styrofoam. Also once you stop to think about what you are doing, you usually decide to go for the more healthy choice. I once searched for 20 minutes and settled on a bison burger, because it was served in a paper tray. Oranges and bananas also don’t need packaging. If you are organized you can plan ahead and pack your own sandwiches, mugs and water bottles.

            I like to be polite and sometimes it can be hard when refusing a treat served on Styrofoam. The other night I was out at Hammond’s Steakhouse in Superior. I had too much steak and noticed that the waitress was packaging other’s leftovers in Styrofoam containers. I knew Prof. Cricket would love some steak. I had a dilemma. Do I leave good leftover steak or use a Styrofoam take-out container?

 I politely told the waitress I didn’t use Styrofoam and did she have a bag or aluminum foil so I could bring the leftover home to my dog. She quickly found both. Prof. Cricket was very happy that night and the next day, with her steak leftover treat.

            The reasons the national United Methodist Women are asking you not to use Styrofoam are:

  • The production of Styrofoam takes 10 times as much water as washing a ceramic cup.
  • Styrofoam contains chemicals that over time and continuous exposure (even in small amounts) can build up in the body and cause many health issues. One U.S. EPA study of human fat biopsies found styrene residues in every single sample.
  • Some of the waste productions in Styrofoam production are known cancer causing agents
  • Disposal of foam products results in the overfilling of landfills with bulky, non-degrading plastics. 
  • CFCs used to make foam packaging deplete the ozone layer.
  • Dispersal of the chemical precursors and waste byproducts used in the manufacture of Styrofoam pollutes the environment.  
Visibility: Everyone
Posted: Monday February 27, 2006, 6:26 pm
Tags: environment lent methodist umw styrofaom [add/edit tags]

Group Discussions start a discussion
Comments
Or, log in with your
Facebook account:
Compose your comment and submit:

nadia s. (0) 		Monday March 15, 2010, 9:18 am
omg this is so inspiring

Author

nh Yaeger
Author Tools:
Compose New Share
female, age 52,
Duluth, MN, USA
NH'S SHARES
Aug
13
(0 comments  |  discussions )
When we talk about helping the environment often times we speak about recycling instead of “landfilling” our trash or garbage. This July, Rebecca and I started composting our food waste. Composting is a way of recycling nutrients back to t...
Nov
16
(2 comments  |  discussions )
Nine things to remember when you talk to a recruiterRecruiters are interested in you in order to make a sale.Take along a parent or friend as a witness if you go see a recruiter.If you have a police record or medial condition, don’t hide it...
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Issues to study before enlisting in the armed services  Here are issues you can bring up with your child about enlisting:1. Are you prepared to fight in any war, in any place, at anytime that the government orders you to?  2. Have you really...


ads keep care2 free
SHARES FROM NH'S NETWORK
Aug
2
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Check out http://www.themudflats.ne t/2009/08/02/ethicsgate-s ee-the-shocking-video-ala ska-bloggers-tried-to-tak e-down/   A Fabulous Sunday Morning parable from one of Alaska's foremost speakers-of-truth-to-powe r...and great fun too!
Jul
28
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Check out http://palingates.blogspo t.com/2009/07/sarah-palin -god-sarah-palin.html Another painfully hilarious take on Alaska's contribution to tabloid politics. What if God were to quit mid-term?  
Jun
15
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Check out http://www.huffingtonpost .com/shannyn-moore/top-10 -reasons-sarah-pali_b_215 468.html Sarah Palin repeatedly proves herself to be an Alaskan-sized vacuity of leadership, ethical conduct, and responsible parenthood. While this Palin-generate...
Jun
14
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Check out http://www.commondreams.o rg/view/2009/06/07-0
Feb
3
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Osda Iga (Good Day) I hope all is well your way.. I am using this chance to pass along some info I just received from a friend who works for the US Government..This is a possible job opportunity.. The census is looking to hire for various positions...


ads keep care2 free
MORE MEMBER BLOGS
May 19
Blog: Music from Shakespeare's Time by Lisa G.
(0 comments  |  discussions ) — The rich variety of music in the first Elizabethan age is something we can all enjoy today. Renaissance and Elizabethan music came in two categories - sacred and secular. Translate that as religious and fun! There were no conflicts between mods, rocke... more
Blog: Lollingdon hill and the garden by Paul C.
(0 comments  |  discussions ) — Sunny spells, 17º, light WSW. A visit to Lollingdon hill this afternoon proved quietish, five singing Corn Bunting, three Yellowhammer and two Whitethroat, two pairs of Linnet present, a Great-spotted Woodpecker  and a couple of Swa... more
Blog: Please try out my new Artists for care2 Group by Valerie G.
(0 comments  |  discussions ) — Hi There, you are invited to check out and hopefully feel inspired to join my new group for visual artists who want to inspire other care2 members by sharing their positive, visual artwork with eachother and the Care2 Community for free.http://www.car... more
Blog: The Nutritionist's Wife tale by Sybil G.
(0 comments  |  discussions ) — My husband is a nutritionist.I'm French.When I met him 13 years ago, I was (at least in my mind) a healthy eater. I grew up in France eating fresh vegetable and fruit year long. My mother went to the farmer's market twice a week on Tuesdays  and... more
Blog: It’s Now Illegal to Deny Gay Marriages in Brazil by Steve W.
(0 comments  |  0 discussions ) — A top judicial panel in Brazil has ruled that same-sex marriages must be allowed nationwide. An analysis and resolution issued Tuesday by Brazil’s 15-member National Council of Justice, the council that oversees the country’s judiciary, s... more
 
Content and comments expressed here are the opinions of Care2 users and not necessarily that of Care2.com or its affiliates.
Copyright © 2013 Care2.com, inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved