Antone's Nightclub
Only State Facts … Not Romantic Illusions
RECEIVED Fri., April 25, 2008
Dear Editor,
I would like to point out a few key misconceptions Sofia Resnick printed about Joshua Bingaman's coffee shop, Progress [“Deliciously Ambitious,” Green Crush! feature, April 18]. The first misconception is that the compostable cups he uses are doing the planet any favors. Factually, there are no commercial composters in Texas. Those "green" corn and paper compostable cups being used are going straight to the trash, because there are no landfills around to actually compost them. In order to compost these biodegradable cups, they must be at a temperature of 180 degrees for three days straight. Not sure it gets that hot in Texas. This may be a reason Whole Foods decided against corn plastic in the end. Or perhaps they realized corn is a valuable resource to use when the end result is conservation. I also find it interesting that Progress is receiving a pat on the back for being so "green,” yet recycling is not mandated there. If Progress really wanted to make a concerted effort in the recycling department, perhaps the owner could go an extra step in "keepin' it green" by supporting a local collective like Ecology Action and mandating all materials be recycled within his cafe. EA picks up all of Cafe Mundi's recycling twice a month for a minimum price, which is what makes both of those organizations so great for the environment. Since Ecology Action was also mentioned in the article, I think it could also be a great idea to fact-check and ask the collective if it is true that Progress employees take the recycling regularly on their bikes. Overall, I feel the article was well-written and The Austin Chronicle did Earth Day justice in providing awareness on important environmental issues we face and showcasing environmentally friendly local businesses. However, it is also important to only state facts … not romantic illusions that owners occasionally enjoy projecting.
I would like to point out a few key misconceptions Sofia Resnick printed about Joshua Bingaman's coffee shop, Progress [“Deliciously Ambitious,” Green Crush! feature, April 18]. The first misconception is that the compostable cups he uses are doing the planet any favors. Factually, there are no commercial composters in Texas. Those "green" corn and paper compostable cups being used are going straight to the trash, because there are no landfills around to actually compost them. In order to compost these biodegradable cups, they must be at a temperature of 180 degrees for three days straight. Not sure it gets that hot in Texas. This may be a reason Whole Foods decided against corn plastic in the end. Or perhaps they realized corn is a valuable resource to use when the end result is conservation. I also find it interesting that Progress is receiving a pat on the back for being so "green,” yet recycling is not mandated there. If Progress really wanted to make a concerted effort in the recycling department, perhaps the owner could go an extra step in "keepin' it green" by supporting a local collective like Ecology Action and mandating all materials be recycled within his cafe. EA picks up all of Cafe Mundi's recycling twice a month for a minimum price, which is what makes both of those organizations so great for the environment. Since Ecology Action was also mentioned in the article, I think it could also be a great idea to fact-check and ask the collective if it is true that Progress employees take the recycling regularly on their bikes. Overall, I feel the article was well-written and The Austin Chronicle did Earth Day justice in providing awareness on important environmental issues we face and showcasing environmentally friendly local businesses. However, it is also important to only state facts … not romantic illusions that owners occasionally enjoy projecting.
Still in love with the Chronicle,
Krissi Trumeter
Krissi Trumeter