Our Petroleum Products

Water bottles, plastic bags, toys, plastic wrap, garbage bags, dishes and furniture. What do all these items have in common? They are all made from petroleum. Oil! The same thing going into our gas tanks is in these products. So why do we keep using them? Or better yet, why do we keep buying them? If you already have a case of bottled water, by all means drink it up. But why on earth would you buy more if you know that the process used to make those bottles is the exact reason it is so expensive to fuel our cars?

I don't know a single person who hasn't complained recently about the current and future cost of gas. However, it's a moot point. The number is going to continue to increase. What can we do to slow down the climb? The answer is simple. Stop using petroleum based products.

The following is a list of just a few petroleum based products:

Ink, Dishwashing liquids, Paint brushes, Telephones,Toys, Unbreakable dishes, Insecticides, Antiseptics, Dolls, Car sound insulation, Fishing lures, Deodorant, Tires, Motorcycle helmets, Linoleum, Sweaters, Tents, Refrigerator linings, Paint rollers, Floor wax, Shoes, Electrician's tape, Plastic wood, Model cars, Glue, Roller-skate wheels, Trash bags, Soap dishes, Skis, Permanent press clothes, Hand lotion, Clothesline, Dyes, Soft contact lenses, Shampoo, Panty hose, Cameras, Food preservatives, Fishing rods, Oil filters, Combs, Transparent tape, Anesthetics, Upholstery, Dice, Disposable diapers, TV cabinets, Mops, Sports car bodies, House paint, Purses, Electric blankets, Awnings, Ammonia, Car battery cases, Safety glass, Hair curlers, Pajamas, Synthetic rubber, Eyeglasses, Pillows, Vitamin capsules, Ice chests, Candles, Rubbing alcohol, Boats, Ice cube trays, Credit cards, Fertilizers, Crayons, Insect repellent, Water pipes, Toilet seats, Caulking, Roofing shingles, Fishing boots, Life jackets, Balloons, Shower curtains, Garden hose, Golf balls, Curtains, Plywood adhesive, Umbrellas, Detergents, Milk jugs, Rubber cement, Putty, Faucet washers, Cold cream, Bandages, Tool racks, Antihistamines, Hair coloring, Nail polish, Guitar strings, Yarn, Petroleum jelly, Toothpaste, Tennis rackets, Toothbrushes, Perfume, Luggage, Wire insulation, Folding doors, Shoe polish, Fan belts, Ballpoint pens, Shower doors, Cortisone, Carpeting, Artificial turf, Heart valves, Lipstick, Artificial limbs, Hearing aids, Vaporizers, Aspirin, Shaving cream, Wading pools, Parachutes

Okay, so I'm not telling you to not use the parachute or life vest if there is an air travel emergency. I'm also not telling you to deny yourself anesthesia if you will be undergoing surgery. There are some petroleum based products we simply need. You also might be thinking, "Well, I need to wash my hair and I need to wear deodorant and clean clothes." Believe it or not, there are natural alternatives to almost anything if you look for them. I recently wrote an article on natural deodorant and another one on safer hair dye. I've often written about Method products which cover everything from dish and laundry detergent to all purpose cleaner and hand soap. So what is my point for publishing this list that could go on endlessly? To educate. I don't think we realize how much petroleum we use on a daily basis - some of it necessary, some of it not so much. If we aren't careful about when and where we choose to use these products, the cost of oil will continue to skyrocket.

We can make a difference. We just need to be aware and try our best to make wise choices.