Save Your Trash

Wow, Thanks, and Oops....

First, WOW!!
I have received an enormous response from the article that came out today about saving my trash for a year. I started the project for my own edification - my own learning, my own discovery, my own experience. I thought about making it public, but to be honest, my life is so busy I never got around to it. The SF Chronicle found out about it when a friend mentioned it to a friend and today it apparently hit the news world in full force. I checked my email this morning and it has been a non-stop flow of communication ever since....

Second, THANKS!!!
From the bottom of my heart, I sincerly thank all of you who have written to share your thoughts, ideas and criticisms with me. It is inspiring to know that people care enough, or at least are intrigued enough to take the time to write. Many of you have shared your own stories and that means more to me than anything. It is through community that we learn the most and feel the most connected to each other.

Finally, OOPS....
After the story was discovered by local TV news and the SF Chronicle, I decided to post a blog to share more about it. I put up some basic information but have not yet finalized the site. I had hoped to know before the story actually hit the papers so I could finish editing the blog, post pictures, add the missing content, etc. Well, so it goes.... the story ran and I learned about it from all of you! That's fun!! I will do my best to get more information up as soon as I can so that all of you who are still interested can get the whole scoop. I will even post pictures.

I appreciate those of you who have written to share your skepticism and dubiousness, wondering how this can be legitimate if I haven't posted any pictures. I will happily post some photos so you can have your proof... They usually say the proof is in the pudding. With me, the proof is actually in the pudding packaging.

And one more thing...
I want to express a deep appreciation for Kelly Zito, the SF Chronicle writer who first covered this story, for the incredible job she did of putting this project into a larger context. In so doing she gave it greater meaning. She clearly took the time to speak to people in the trash industry, to uncover and share the difficult to digest truth that much of our recycling gets shipped to Asia for processing. She shared the overwhelming statistic that as Americans we generate over 250 million tons of trash a year. And she captured the point of the project accurately and with grace - i appreciate the opportunity to use this project to create dialogue about a subject that impacts us all and my deepest belief is that change starts with each one of us. It is through our actions, not our preaching and finger pointing, that real movement happens. By acting upon our ideas and inspiration we bring things to life and give others a chance to do the same.

Yes, I really did save my trash for an entire year...

Crazy, eh?

Let's see, what are all of the questions running through your mind?

Where do you keep it?