It's not easy being green -- coming clean about my environmental sins

Feel guilty yet?

I can't stand looking into the sad eyes of polar bears floating on tiny ice bergs, starving to death because we humans won't give up our cars. 

Those images are one reason I began upcycling. It seemed like a good way to practice and encourage recycling, lessen waste, and ultimately help those polar bears.

But it isn't that simple.

It turns out my oh-so-green business burns up quite a bit of fossil fuel. Here's how:

• I drive to find my materials. In my non-hybrid Honda. The closest thrift store is less than 2 miles away, but often I travel 4 miles or more to visit a better one. And to find my stash of Drew books, I have to go to a used-book store, 2 towns over.

• I include recycled paper and plastic to pack my items for shipping whenever I can, but I still buy rolls and rolls of new clear tape and bubble wrap. Those, I believe, start life as petroleum.

Re-package

• Thanks to Etsy's global audience, I ship my upcycled products far and wide. I love bragging about my customers in Finland or Israel. But then I remember that my tiny packages travel in a large, gas-guzzling airplane over thousands of miles. Possibly right over those polar bears they're killing.

Up up and away with my beautiful carbon footprint

• I confess I've even ordered old books online, just to rip them apart. So first they fly to me, then they fly away. But how else can I find the Trixie Belden titles my customers demand?

Don't blame me. I'm saving a lamb here.

In fact, this morning I was looking for a book that a customer wants me to turn into an iPad case. I came upon these two used books on Amazon. And they only cost 1 cent! Sure, with shipping it's a few dollars. But think of the fantastic Kindle cases they'd make!

Even polar bears would love this.

That's me on the far right.

Don't be fooled by my light-hearted tone -- I am bothered and perplexed. How do I resolve my dilemma? Buy carbon offsets? Stop shipping long-distance? If you're a crafting entrepreneur, what do you do to be greener?

Opinions welcome.

**** Update*****
One environmentally aware youngster I know sent me this photo. He's wearing a shirt that says "I wish global warming was just a bad dream." And of course, there's a cute polar bear.