Have any of you heard the country song about the Red Solo cup? It’s catchy and funny and great writing, but it’s the ultimate ode to a disposable lifestyle.
Why can’t you still “get lucky and proceed to party” from a glass instead of a red plastic cup? The song mentions it takes about 14 years for the cup to break down. The depressing thing is…that’s about right.
I never thought twice two years ago about a sight like this.
Now it saddens and sickens me and there’s not a thing I can do about it. Ignorance really is bliss. But I don’t have that luxury anymore. So, what am I going to do about it?
The only thing I know how. I stopped buying. I’m now making most of my own food and many of my bath and cleaning products. Some of them, I’m simply waiting to run out of and then don’t intend on buying ever again.
But I’m one person in a sea of billions. Will it really make a difference in the end? Will my children suffer? Will theirs?
I still cling to the idea that I think it’s worth it. And I still believe education is the only way out of all this.
Happy July 4th everyone! Reach for a glass rather than a Red Solo cup, if you can. 🙂
Red Solo cup articles:
- The Red SOLO Cup Goes Fancy (apartmenttherapy.com)
- Red Solo Cup (adventureinbravado.wordpress.com)
- Red Solo Cup Restaurant (#261) (tincantraveler.wordpress.com)
- I’m Freeeee (hollyinthecity.wordpress.com)
Attempting zero waste lifestyle in a military household 
Cheers! *clunk* (that’s the sound of our beer mugs meeting the toast)
No Solo cups for this girl. You already know that I keep a bag of “goodies” in my minivan at the ready: something to store in, something to drink from, and something to dine on are always in there. I keep a pocket knife in my purse if I need a cutting utensil. And there’s always my “Swiss Army Hand” for silverware.
Happy 4th, Jennifer! The disposable society will come to an end, but it will not be a willing change — it will be forced, I’m sad to say, when “stuff” starts running out. We can only continue this trend as long as petroleum is abundant and cheap.
Those plastic cups really don’t exist in Australia – certainly not that big or colourful. Maybe a blessing, but of course we have plastic cups!
Shannon–cheers right back at you.
Sarah–your comments always make me smile. 🙂
My brother talks about “Red Solo Syndrome.” Basically, if you’re a corporate minded person, you NEVER want a photo of you posted on Facebook or social media where you are holding a Red Solo Cup. It doesn’t matter if the cup holds only water or iced tea – the damage is done…
I don’t know if you’re familiar with “Coursera” online, free classes from various universities – there are courses from Harvard and MIT – all the top universities. I mention it because I just recently took “Sustainability of Food Systems – a Global Life Cycle Perspective” from University of Minnesota – you would have LOVED it, I think as it addresses many of thei issues you post about.
There is a course coming up on August 26th – Introduction to Sustainability Dr. Jonathan Tomkin
“This course introduces the academic discipline of sustainability and explores how today’s human societies can endure in the face of global change, ecosystem degradation and resource limitations.”
Workload: 8-10 hours/week
Coursera is great – you sign up by email, it costs nothing (some classes have a small fee if you want to be certified, but cost nothing if you don’t) and they have literally hundreds of not thousands of classes on almost any topic one can think of!
Ooops – forgot the link: https://www.coursera.org/
Oh, thank you so much for this information and the link Frugal Hausfrau! A chance to learn more is always appreciated!! I will have to do this! 🙂