While you're in Seattle...and I hope it is for a long period...you'll inevitably come across that not-so-nearly-as-rare-as-they-should-be overly Green Satellite.
Not that there is anything wrong with being overly green. There is nothing wrong with pre-packing lunch in your reusable self-made-upcycled lunch bag to cut back on waste and cost.
There's nothing wrong with carrying your clean coffee mug with you everywhere and making sure the coffee you drink is organic-shade-grow-fair-trade-arabica-bean-and-song-bird-friendly by asking the Barista before you pay.
There's nothing wrong with walking or taking the bus everywhere.
There's nothing wrong with only shopping at fair-trade or made-in-America ma and pop stores for everything you can.
There is, however, a problem when you not only live this life but advertise it to the utmost. And here is where the overly green satellite comes in.
Now, how can I stop and ID an OGS so easily? I used to be one. And I'm trying to be one again...
Now, I'm a big advocate of green living and immersing yourself into the local culture as much as possible when traveling or living in a new area. With this in mind, I'm going to give you some tips on how to be as obnoxious as I was when I was an OGS to truly experience Seattle from a perspective even most Satellites won't approach.
1) Reusable everything! Reusable bags, cups, mugs, lunch bags, sandwich bags, bread bags, produce bags, water bottles, and to-go containers are a must. If you can replace something non-reusable with something reusable, do. If you find something that can't be recycled or reused, don't get it.
2) Avoid plastics and aluminum at all costs, in favor of glass, cloth, and stainless steel. Apart from the massive amount of pollution that comes from the production of plastics and aluminum, there are a ton of chemicals leeched from plastics, and aluminum has been linked to several different disease (including Alzheimer's, which is hereditary in my family) and is a known neurotoxin. Plastic is also more difficult to recycle and eventually has to be down-cycled. Glass, on the other hand, is easier to recycle and uses fewer resources in general and, usually, doesn't leech chemicals. Cloth can be grown organically and recycled and upcycled easily. Stainless steel doesn't leech weird chemicals (as far as I know, please correct me if I'm wrong).
3) Go Vegan or Freegan and advertise the benefits to ANYONE who will list, and most who won't.
4) Refuse to eat at restaurants that serve on non-reusable plates; this means that all taco-trucks, fast-food restaurants, and many sit-downs with disposable plates and cups are off limits. Good luck!
5) Shop exclusively used, American-Made, and fair trade. Good luck finding a professional suit that looks half-way descent. Good luck finding electronics that don't suck-up electricity and that work properly. And good luck with underwear...
6) Share your lifestyle as much as possible. Tell anyone who will listen about it, no matter how irrelevant it is to the current conversation topic...
7) Champion local businesses. I'd personally like to promote Elliot Bay Book Company, Twice Sold Tales, Value Village, Cafe Vita, Cherry Street Coffee House, Red Light, The Feed Bag, and Travelers tea shop.
There is more, but I'm falling asleep...night!
