A seasonal reminder

Though I don't presume that everyone celebrates Christmas, I know of few in Salem (or anywhere else in America for that matter) who are entirely unaffected by the madness of the Christmas machine; even total abstainers from religion suffer from living in an economy that is so desperately focused on encouraging --- nay, demanding --- overconsumption from a huge portion of the populace, an unbalanced economy that wastes both capital and energy and produces mountains of useless, unwanted, unneeded stuff.

There's a great book on the subject: Unplug the Christmas Machine.

Worth a look now, before another round through the mill.

Meanwhile, onto the best holiday of the year, the one that adamantly resists capture by Madison Ave. and Sprawl-Mart --- after all, it's just about impossible to turn a holiday about gratitude for all that we have into a mandatory spending spree.

Outstanding news! Year-round Styrofoam (R) recycling in Salem!

Yay! Someone's figured out a way to make use of trucks deadheading (running empty) between Salem and Portland to make year-round Styrofoam(R) recycling possible here in Salem.

Good job!

Just take your foam to Fresh Start Market on Center St. (past Park St. out towards Hawthorne, on the South side of the street). And if you don't have a covered compost bin for your fruit and vegetable scraps (and coffee grounds, and peelings, and molded bread, and . . . ), you can pick up a good one there as well, for a good price.

UPDATE: Here's a note from Carol Ault of Marion County explaining the program:

Hi all,

At long last we have finally been able to establish an ongoing collection program for Styrofoam! See below for details. Thank you for making the effort to recycle Styrofoam!

Styrofoam Recycling

When: Mondays - Fridays from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Where: Fresh Start Market, 3020 Center St. NE, Salem

Accepted: Only clean, dry block packaging foam, meat trays or egg
cartons.

NOT Accepted:

• Packing peanuts (Call 503-588-5169 for reuse options. Most shipping stores will accept them for free if clean.)
• Packing foam with tape on it
• Construction foam
• Foam that bends in half without snapping
  

Details: This is a free program for residents thanks to PLC Recycling, the Fresh Start Market, and Marion County Public Works - Environmental Services. Businesses will be charged a nominal fee and must pre-register by calling (503) 588-5324.