I really got the plastic down this week, thanks in part to Tess’s Trash Challenge ^[1], which ended for me yesterday. Here are the final results of the trash challenge ^[1], as well as links to the interview that Tess did with me.

And here’s the weekly plastic tally:

Non-recyclable items used this week but purchased before the plastic project began:

• 9 Refresh Endura single-use eye drop containers (#4 plastic).
• 1 Act fluoride rinse cap and neck wrapper. See below.

Recyclable items purchased before the plastic project began:

• 1 Act fuoride rinse bottle (#3 plastic). I sent an e-mail to Chattem, Inc., the company that makes this product asking why they use #3 (PVC) plastic for their bottles. PVC is one of the worst types of plastic. They responded that new Act bottles are being made from #1 (PETE), which is a much more benign plastic. I checked out a bottle at the drugstore and confirmed this to be true. I’m down to my last bottle and still have to decide if I want to continue using this. Do adults need supplemental fluoride? The jury is still out.

And that’s all the old stuff. Now for the new plastic waste.

• 1 Safeway Organics cheddar cheese wrapper.
• 1 plastic bag left on my doorstep containing the Rockridge phone directory. I e-mailed the company that publishes this and also left them a phone message yesterday. They’re local, so they should know not to distribute plastic bags in Oakland!
• 1 Haig’s spicy hummus container & lid.

And that’s it. Here’s hoping that this coming week is even lighter!

Remind me to tell you about:

1) Working on the bottled water issue ^[2] at the farmer’s market today

2) Talking to Jane Brunner’s assistant about recycling at the Rockridge Street Fair

3) The TMBG concert we are on our way to right now.