Molley Kaiyoorawongs

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Why am I a green passport holder? Hey, I'm for anything that helps us slow down the rate at which we mar the earth, so I hope that this project really takes off and raises awareness for students and communities all over the world.

I DON'T DRIVE A HUMMER...or any other form of a gas guzzler for that matter. I'm very happy with my Accord's gas mileage. Then there are a lot of other little things…Not even a candy wrapper misses the trash can in my wake and I recycle obsessively. I buy used books when I can't check them out from the library; I reuse containers (especially water bottles); I bring my own coffee cup when I buy coffee; I buy cereal in bags and not boxes even though they're not as cute; I car pool; I turn off the water while I brush my teeth; my light bulbs are energy efficient; I unplug appliances when I'm not using them; and I dumpster dive.

I initially took part in Middlebury's Dishwashing Project just to learn about how composting works. I also worked at the college's amazing Recycling Center last summer for a couple of weeks just to see what goes on there. The smell was less then pleasant but I definitely walked away knowing how to separate my refuse. I don't shop at Wal-Mart; And, for Pete's sake, I don't use styrofoam. Pete is the potted plant that I keep on my window sill. I got him from the dumpster and he is thriving on the water I pour him from my refilled water bottles. My only internal debate thus far (and it's still ongoing so any feedback would be great) is whether to use the perfectly good bottles of detergent people throw away when they move away from college that aren't biodegradable or buy environmentally friendly brands from the local co-op. I have yet to find biodegradable detergent at the dumpster which, I think, reflects the people who use those products.

Often, the phrase "environmentally responsible" carries with it the stigma of expensiveness but all of the little things I do either save money or allow me to break even. That stigma is, for the most part, untrue.