I keep hearing we need to invest millions and billions of dollars in research for new technologies that make us less dependant on foreign oil.  Everything from Hybrid engines to solar power is back in the mix as the possible “savior”.  I even watched a report on the news last night about a local group of researchers that built a car that runs on vegetable oil.  Even President Bush has stated we need to rely less on foreign oil supplies

I think the research is great.  It will definitely pay off….in twenty years.  Do not stop the research!  It is important that we are always looking for new technology that will make the old obsolete, but there are things we can be doing right now (that do not require research) to become less dependant on foreign oil.  

Here’s an idea: Drastically lower the amount of Petroleum needed to produce plastics by using recycled materials for your packaging needs.  Domestic paper mills can buy “clean energy” from wind or nuclear to use in making paper. In addition less energy is needed to make recycled paper than from trees (not to mention we save the tree which makes oxygen. It’s that simple. We can become less dependant today.  No new technology needed.  All that is needed is a consumer that cares.

I don’t understand how as a nation of consumers we continue to tolerate poly styrene peanuts. What does that say about us? Are we that shallow?  What ever happened to the big picture? 

Look, I’m not asking you buy our products (Don’t get me wrong you should be buying our products). All I am saying is everything we buy and ship in this world is packaged. WE MUST START USING 100% PACKAGING MATERIALS THAT REALLY WILL GET RECYCLED! 

So here is my email address thinksustainable@papernuts.com I am inviting the entire world to send me one good reason why we shouldn’t demand that all packaging material be made from materials recycled in existing waste streams. Turn trash into cash and eliminate the expense of waste removal and storage in landfills. 

I am on a crusade. Not just to sell PaperNuts and other recycled recyclable products, but to enlighten the consumer. An enlightened consumer will make ethically and environmentally responsible demands to the companies that serve us. I’m willing to compete for and earn my share in this market. In the words of Jerry Maguire, “Who’s coming with me?”