Earth day is when?

     Today, April 22, is officially Earth Day.
     Not sure exactly what that means.
     I look in my garage and realize, Earth Day is more than just today.  I have a can for recycled plastics, one for paper, one for aluminum cans, one for items to go to the zoo.  (BZ has needs of Altoid tins, stackable yogurt cups, plastic newspaper delivery bags and a whole bunch of other odds and end type stuff during the year.)
     I also have a small container for dead batteries.
     And a container for electronics waste
     And a corner for hazardous waste.
     And a box for the resale shop.
     My garage is a mess!
     I once did a presentation in a science class on a scientific concept.  Other people did presentations on matter, energy, biodiversity.  I did mine on the concept of away.
     Which, strangely enough, is not a scientific concept.  But it should be.  What do you do with an unwanted Styrofoam cup?  Throw it away.
     But what is away?  Where is away?  That styro cup or plastic water bottle or plastic bag does not go away.  It lingers in landfills, festers in fields, tangles in trees (in case you have not picked up, I am using alliteration to interest you).  Newspaper decomposes, but those materials just merge into the soil.
     I don't think anything ever goes away.  It just takes a different form.
     So when wifey says, "This doesn't work.  Throw it away." I can't.
I have to check to see if it is recyclable plastic, or an electronic, or an item that can be reused. Only when I have exhausted all areas (and her patience) can I truly put it in the trash and hope the garbage men take it.
     But I know it will never go away.
     So Earth Day is a conflict for me.  I try to be good to  Mother Earth, but let's face it:  We can't save the planet by ourselves.  I think that whenever  I drive to BZ, which is a 160 mile round trip, using about 3.5 gallons of gas.  That is a waste of a natural resource, which is converted to energy and to carbon dioxide which seems to be harmful to the earth and all living creatures.  As the gas guzzlers pass me on the tollway, I realize not only can I do better, but so can a lot of people.
     So on this Earth Day I am going to wash windows.  Instead of using paper towels, I'll use the old dish towels that are too full of holes for drying dishes.  I'll use vinegar and water as a cleaning agent.  Then I'll head off into the garage and try to arrange my mess.
   By the way, my brilliant, innovative and highly entertaining presentation on the concept of away earned a D.  Go figure.