Clipping Coupons, Recycling Plastic, Saving Money, Saving the Planet

by
D.S. Matteau

Every time I see another program or read another article about the condition of our planet, I become more committed to shrinking my own impact on the environment. How many of us knew that all the plastic in the world would eventually find its way to a swirling mess in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, growing to a size larger than Texas, killing off the sea-life? Now, not a single plastic container comes into my house without being examined for possible re-use. I've stopped buying plastic bags or plastic wrap. I re-use the containers for left-over food and re-use the grocery bags for trash. They still eventually end up going into the ocean-bound trash flow, but at least I have reduced my own contribution by more than half.

If we all did this, the reduction in pollution would be significant because not only would our own part in it be less, but the companies that make the extra plastic containers would make fewer because they would face less demand. If they were to come up with some non-plastic, bio-degradable alternative, then they'd get me back as a customer, but not until then.

Clipping Coupons

Related to the subject of recycling is a new Co-op service: Coupons! I live in the city, where people toss out paper ads all the time, not even bothering to look at all the $1, $3 and even $5 coupons that are there, ready to be used for many wonderful products. Looking at the stack of discarded coupon-flyers in the mailroom of my apartment building gave me an idea: Why not offer these coupons to my subscribers?

It took me only one morning to clip and sort over a thousand dollars' worth of coupons for products ranging from St. Joseph's Aspirin and Tylenol to Slim-Fast and Neutrogena, to Bertolli Pasta Sauce and Aunt Jemima Syrup! Click over to the coupon page to see what I have there, sorted according to expiration dates. Teapot Co-op Subscribers can take them for free, just post a comment to me telling me which ones you want, first-come first served. You should easily get far more than your $6.95 a month back in savings, because I will mail you as many as you want every week.

Gasoline Holiday For Teapot Co-op Subscribers!

If you have been a prisoner of gridlock & gas prices? Now is your chance to explore the parallel universe of the Austin city bus system, because of another new benefit for Teapot Co-op members: a free 24-hour Cap Metro bus pass! The passes are good for 24 hours from first use and can be given as gifts. Now you can take a holiday from driving, explore the neigborhoods and streets you can't see from the expressway, and you can hop on and off the busses at will as you visit the odd little cafes and thrift shops that you just don't see advertised. This is another way to save money, have fun, and join the active effort to reduce our damage to the environment all at the same time, even if you still have to use your car most of the time.

The coupons and bus pas service for Co-op members is for one per member per week, up to five per month, in addition to the other co-op web sales services.

Watch for more articles on building valuable collections, saving the planet, & saving money. Archives: Feb. '08    |   Mar. & Apr. '08    |