In my latest attempt to go greener, I bought a pair of blue recycling bins with handles, one for the kitchen and one for my bedroom. Previously, Mom had used a white TRASH BAG-LINED tall kitchen receptacle to put our recycling in. Whenever it was full, she’d close up the bag and toss it in the outdoor recycling bin. [NOTE: Before Dad starting receiving 48-hours a week in caregiver services, I used to properly take out the recycling by dumping the recycling out sans trash bag and reusing the bag until it was no longer usable, THEN tossing the bag into the outdoor garbage bin. Now, it’s the caregiver’s job, whenever Mom cares to ask them to do it.]
I explained to her that the recycling center doesn’t open those recycling-filled trash bags to remove the contents. The whole thing is thrown into a landfill.
Upon hearing that, Mom asked how would she keep the kitchen recycling bin clean if she didn’t use trash bags. “Easy,” said I, “Just wash the recycling before you put it in the recycling bin.”
“I’m don’t want to wash garbage.”
That was round one. I knew I wouldn’t win her over in the first attempt. Contrary to the old saying, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks as long as the dog already knows tricks. Mom definitely has learned a lot in her eight decades plus a few more years.
Round two came when the new recycling bins arrived. I’d dramatically retrieve unrinsed recycling from the bin, wave it front of Mom’s face, then rinse it out, showing her that it didn’t take that much time.
In reality, we both knew that during the week, I wouldn’t have the luxury of inspecting the recycling bin. That was just a weekend thing because I had the time to do so.
Then, I explained in a way that resonated with her more. I told her that not washing recycling prior to putting it in the bin was similar to how one of her grandsons used to complain about having to wash the skidmarks out of his underwear. I’d advise him, more than once, that if he just wiped himself better, he wouldn’t have to wash out skidmarks.
Mom, being both wise and stubborn, readily understood the message of clean recycling leaving a cleaner recycling bin.
Now, it’s matter of how quickly her behavior changes. For my part, I want to avoid being “that guy” about the recycling or giving her an easy out. Because Mom, like any intelligent person, will find a less desirable choice to get out of doing what needs to be done.
For years, she has said that I think I’m her mother. Well, she and Dad are definitely my octogenarian teenagers. This is just another life lesson.