Packaging

#18 of 31 days of May SCWBI Challenge – A Tanka inspired by Desiree Driesenaar

Excess packaging

Plastic surgery needed

Reduce recycle

Redesign to minimise

Mother nature will give thanks

Desiree Driesenaar this one is for you. Our little family tries our best to keep packaging to a bare minimum. You inspire me to try harder.

Our eldest daughter’s anaphylaxis is one constraint for us in some ways. We are in the process to discover alternatives while keeping her safe.

Composting and a worm farm have been the biggest noticeable impact on our personal waste. We rarely have to put our bin out these days. Our food scrapes are recycled and used to nourish our soil.

For a family of four, we use two compost tumblers. We use one, while the other “matures”. I did think the smell would be an issue, especially during an Australian summer, but there has not been a noticebale difference within our house. The only time is when we open the tumbler.

Our previous attempt at composting brought rats. The secure lid ceased the issue!

Even still, there is more we can improve on.

Every purchasing choice we make helps.

Anything we can grow or make ourselves helps.

Growing any amount of fresh fruit, veg or herbs around helps.

Every drop of rainwater or grey water that can be salvaged helps.

Every time the choice is to walk, ride, take public transport or ride share helps.

Every time we think before we use power we help.

I have been in an internal conflict of late. I have some logo designs I would like to try a print on demand service with. The only thought holding me back is the sustainability and environmental impact of doing this easily.

Raw materials , production, packaging and postage… as far as I am aware, all adding to plastic packaging and the determinate of the environment in some way.

There are answers to some parts, but not a complete cycle I am aware of.

Research in progress! Any clues to point me along the way would be amazing.

Every little bit helps.

While we are talking about environmental impacts, I can’t help do a shout out on a fellow Aussie, Damon Gameau.

If you have a free minute or two, check out his trailer for the doco 2040..it may inspire you to watch the doco in full, which may inspire something more… a ripple of powerful and positive consequences.

Prompted treasures from other writer’s in the Illumination family-

Saloni Joshi will tempt you with a slice

A slice from Rasheed Hooda’s life

Indra Raj Pathak first tanka gifted into the wind

If I have missed any others that have been prompted by this challenge in the last day, I apologise…please give me a nudge and I will add them to the next prompt. At the conclusion of the challenge I will create an index to all the rippling treasures this prompt uncovered.

“Packaging” — today’s prompt from the 31 days of May challenge being run by SCBWI West (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) …if anybody feels like participating, join in as you please.