Waste not...

I've been trying really hard lately to reduce my waste. At school, we've been talking about trying to do an interdisciplinary unit around environmental issues. Planning something like that makes you think about your own impact on the environment.

So I've stopped using ziploc sandwich baggies and started using tupperware and those semi-disposable-but-still-reusable ziploc and rubbermaid containers. I recently bought an insulated mug from D&D that I can have refilled instead of getting a styrofoam (or whatever those are made from) disposable cup every day.

Water waste is one place I am not making great strides. I admit it- I take 15 minute showers. AND usually I let the water run for a bit before getting in, especially for a morning shower when it takes longer for the water to heat up. I have such a tough time in the mornings, if I tried to forgo my hot showers I might just never make it to work... Toilet flushing too. I live in fear of the toilet getting stopped up, so I sometimes flush twice- in the middle of my "business" or sometimes before, since III has a habit of throwing his used kleenex in the toilet. He doesn't flush them, but if I have to go and it seems like there is already a lot of kleenex in there, I worry about a clog.

Speaking of waste and of toilets, do you poop at work? We have faculty bathrooms, and I would say at least 2-3 times a week I have to go at school. The faculty bathrooms are onsies, so if someone is in there, you have to wait in line outside of the bathroom. I hate it when I know someone is coming in right after I've had a bm. Does it smell? Are there skidmarks? I don't know why I worry about it since it doesn't bother me to go in after someone else has done that. I mean, isn't that what bathrooms are for? One of my school friends refuses to poop at work. If I had that rule, back when I was having some major stomach issues (for about 5 years) I wouldn't have accumulated nearly as many sick days as I have!!! In fact, I've pooped in quite a few bathrooms in the city where I live. I always knew where the public bathrooms were when I was out an about because I never knew when I'd have a "problem". I also practically lived on Immodium AD, but luckily that has been resolved... but the habits are lasting. When I've got to go, I've got to go- work, the mall, restaurants, Barnes and Noble (for some reason I always have to poop when I'm buying books... hmmm)...