Rockhounding Green

Some would say that mining is one of the worst environmental hazards. To me, the old mine sites are treasure sites that rock hounds are cleaning up by hauling out specimens. I agree some of the practices used in mining especially pre-regulation times were bad for the environment and even caused numerous problems. I have seen the landscape changed permanently by mining activity. Piles of rocks were stacked up after the creeks and rivers were dredged for the gold in them and then left there. A big example of horrible mining impact is the Berkley Pit in Butte, Mt. It was formerly the most productive mine in the world and now is a toxic water filled pit that is filling up more and more each day. Although this is a horrible hazard scientists are now looking at some algae that are able to live and even neutralize the toxic water. Perhaps the site could be cleaned up and or used to the advantage of other sites and people. The landscape was scarred and the natural creeks were forever changed or eliminated. Today there are regulations against disturbing waterways, using toxic chemicals to leach out the metals, and requirements for the mining company to reclaim the land after they are finished mining. Unfortunately the larger companies are making a bigger impact on the environment because their activities are on a larger scale. It’s a catch 22 because we use and need the metals they mine in everything from cell phones to jewelry and I’m not optimistic that people will stop using all these materials and force mining operations to stop.
I am all for being eco-friendly and environmentally conscious and I am also a rock/mineral collector. The two are not necessarily exclusive of each other. It may take a different way of looking at things but isn’t that what we are all trying to do to become more environmentally friendly? Most rockhounds I know re purpose items such as empty pill bottles, plastic containers of all sorts, boxes, and anything that will hold rocks. I myself use old pill bottles (like the plastic ones used by pharmacies), plastic tubs like from cottage cheese, and coffee containers among other things, to hold my specimens or put rocks in when I'm out collecting. If you think about it when we collect specimens we are cleaning up mine dumps although it is a bit slower than if the EPA cleaned it up. When we use rocks/minerals for jewelry or art it could be considered repurposing. Ok, so maybe it's a stretch to say that rockhounding can be environmentally friendly but I'd like to think it is since I am a rockhound.
When I'm out collecting I use reusable water containers, clean up after myself, and pick up trash that sometimes is left at the site by former collectors. Even if the old mine sites I visit were harmful to the environment at least I can do my part to be green while collecting.

Back to green - just an update on my journey

I haven't posted here in a while but thought about it today so here I am. I'm still trying to live more earth friendly. I forget my reusable bags sometimes when I go to the store but for the most part I use them and remember that I am doing my part to help save the environment. I've heard of the bags that fold down to a small package so you can fit them in a purse but I seem to have too much in my purse already so probably wouldn't be an option for me. I do take a reusable bag with me in my vehicle so I have one with me all the time and that does help me to remember to take it into the store. I sure like those stores that have a sign on the door going in saying "Did you remember your reusable bag?" I also have noticed that a lot of stores are giving customers a nickel for using a reusable bag instead of the plastic or paper ones provided. It's not much but every penny (or nickel) counts today. I have been known to go back to the truck to get my bag when I see the sign on the door. Kudos to the stores that are helping to remind those of us whose memory isn't so good to bring their bags with them. I'm hoping this trend will keep going and not go the way of the pet rock or bell bottoms.