Handkerchiefs
Greetings brave souls/artists/contributors,
It is officially May 1st, and thus the behavior change book project (still working on a catchy name.. thoughts?) is underway!
The first environmental behavior we will sample is......
.....
drum roll....
.....
HANDKERCHIEFS! :)
Goal: Use only handkerchiefs to blow your nose for a mere 31 days... resist the tempting tissue :)
Since many of us are unaccustomed to using handkerchiefs, I thought it might be helpful to include some information on them:
- What is the environmental benefit to using handkerchiefs? The most obvious benefit is that they reduce a tremendous amount of tissue waste that goes into our landfills. However, they also do not require timber resources or the energy and resources needed to harvest them (aka save trees!). While handkerchiefs do require water for washing, it is generally a miniscual amount compared to the amount of water used to make tissues (in the pulp).
-I don't have any handkerchiefs....where can I buy them? This is a very good question. I have found that most big box stores (Miejer, K-Mart, etc.) or dept stores will likely not carry them (I have called at least 7 stores in Ann Arbor) but you will have luck with antique stores. There are also a lot of place online if you google search. Another useful source might be your grandmother/grandfather! The other day my mom brought me a small box of handerchiefs (some never even used!) that were my great-grandmother's! Bandanas may also be use as handkerchiefs - a friend of mine said she used bandanas while in the Peace Corps in Africa.
- Snot in a cloth...ewww... are they sanitary? This was my initial thought. Too gross....however, it turns out documented handkerchief use dates back to 100 BC, so apparently for a good 2,000 years, people did not actually find them that bad and they survived, lol. In fact, there are many interesting fun facts about hankies (ex: Kleenex hadn't initially thought people would want a disposable handkerchief, so they initially marketed their product exclusively as a make-up removal tool).
In regard to sanitation, you definitely want to WASH them. :) Just throw them in with a load of laundry.
- What if I have the swine flu? If you are sick (not just with the flu), you may find it easier to use tissues if you have an especially active little nose as it might be hard to keep up with washing the handkerchiefs.
- Will I look like a weirdo? Do people even use handerchiefs anymore? Don't worry! Not only will you be serving as an example to others, but their are plenty of people who are using a handkerchief at this very second. Handkerchiefs are still used in many countries. According to one article I found, they are especially popular in Japan where residents own an average of 12 handkerchiefs each.
Let me know if you have other questions... I may not know the answer, but I will try to help!
Please send me any stories, poems, drawings, pictures, etc. that you think would be interesting for the book while you enjoy the soft fibers of a handkerchief throughout the month. I look forward to seeing your creativity!
And just a reminder, if there is ever a behavior of the month that you don't feel quite ready to try, no problem! It is your decision of course, and you can always try the next month's behavior change flavor. :)
Also, feel free to pass this on and share with others!
Happy May Day,
Catherine
