Chi of Trash

Animals trapped in the plastic barge.

Since the beginning, Feng Shui principles were based on clean air, water and food, as well as shelter and healthy vegetation/trees. We have lost our way somewhere - somehow.  It happened slowly - a little each day.   Our old sustainable society has been replaced by a faster, more disposable society. We have produced more items than the earth can decompose and most of these things, like plastic, are very toxic to our children and planet.  I was just reading about the world largest landfill which is in the middle of the ocean. This is basically plastic stew the size of the Unites States and 100 feet deep that is just floating on top of the ocean. A recent Discovery Magazine article states, “In the central North Pacific Gyre, pieces of plastic outweigh surface zooplankton by a factor of 6 to 1,” according to a report based on Moore’s [need full name and title] research. “Ninety percent of Laysan albatross chick carcasses and regurgitated stomach contents contain plastics. Fish and seabirds mistake plastic for food. Plastic debris releases chemical additives and plasticizers into the ocean. Plastic also adsorbs hydrophobic pollutants like PCBs and pesticides like DDT. These pollutants bioaccumulate in the tissues of marine organisms, biomagnify up the food chain, and find their way into the foods we eat.”  

Our production of plastic has doubled in the last 10 years. All the plastic ever created is still here on the planet, in our water and food chain. It is important that we go back to the basics: clean air, water and food. These principles can make our personal chi (life force), home and planet stronger and healthier. The good news is that our generation can stop it from getting worse. We can make better choices for ourselves and our children. We can start by reusing more of what we have and buy less plastic. Some helpful tips:

• Bring your own canvas bags to the grocery store and mall. shop at the farmers market. By the way, they will take back the plastic green containers that hold strawberries and cherry tomatoes.
• Avoid the worst (most toxic) plastics #3, #6, #7.
• Stop using plastic produce bags. Really, your apples can swim around the cart.
• Stop buying juice and water in plastic bottles. Buy a water filter for your home.
• Use travel mugs and stainless steel canteen water bottles like Sigg.
• Buy laundry detergent and dishwasher soap in cardboard boxes.
• Use stainless steel containers for lunches and storing food (www.kidskonserve.com).
• Borrow or buy secondhand items (kids are going to get bored of that plastic toy in about a week anyway)

Less is more. The less we buy, the less we have to dust, the less we have to organize, the less we have to throw out.