Plastic Free Week 1
The first week of February I made two commitments for the month - #1 reduce our use of new plastic and #2 to practice a heart-opener pose each day. Guess which was easier?
The first three days of avoiding plastic may have been harder on Isis than me. We had many meltdowns. Crying at home, the grocery store and in the car for POTATO CHIPS. We avoid sugar and gluten so potato chips have become our go-to snack. I know it’s not exactly healthy - oh the irony. All the chips are sold in plastic bags or paper bags with a plastic window (as are almost all quick snacks). A strategy we found that worked well was to circle the tortilla chip and dip sample station numerous times during our shopping trips (so thankful that there were 2 stations set-up).
Sample station with CHIPS for the win!
The majority of our effort to reduce plastic use has been focused on grocery since that is what we bring into our house on the daily. Besides the salty fatty potato snacks it has been relatively easy. I stuck to the produce area and bulk bins (bringing my own glass containers). And of course our go-to tortillas in a paper wrapper (since we eat tacos almost 3 times a week- vive la vegana!).
I use our old salsa jars (have I mentioned how much we love Mexican food?) to buy spices from the bulk bins.
Although we haven’t purchased much this week with a lot of plastic I am surprised how few products I have been able to purchase that are completely plastic-free. All the fruits had plastic stickers. With a few exceptions all the veggies had stickers or a twist tie and plastic tag. Even the marinara sauce in a glass jar with a metal lid has a plastic lining (I think). Hot sauce has a plastic lid and plastic “seal” around the top. The only items I was able to purchase that were completely plastic-free were from the bulk bins and some loose veggies (carrots, mushrooms, ginger, etc.).
So much little plastic here and there-stickers, plastic lids and seals, plastic lined lids of glass jars.
Preparation has been key. Ensuring Isis has a snack before we leave the house or with us to avoid the hunger melt-down at the store. Gathering my glass containers to hit-up the bulk bins on owner-discount-day at the co-op. Carrying my reusable cup for the 2nd coffee of the day. And of course having our reusable shopping bags, stainless steel straws, reusable utensils and water bottles with us at all times.
Although the shift in the beginning seemed hardest for Isis in giving up her salt & vinegar chips, she is now identifying products that have plastic and telling the cashier that we do not need a bag because we are “avoiding plastic”. Nothing like having a 4 year old to keep you accountable!
I ordered more tins for my home-made lotion products. Each metal tin came individually wrapped in plastic…oh Amazon!
The store did have vinegar in glass but it was more than twice the price.
Seed-starter soil and light for veggies to start growing indoors- all in plastic.
I am calling week one a success! Next week I will share another update.