by Beth Terry
I missed a week while I was sick, so here is two weeks’ plastic waste. This past week, I gave in to a substantial amount of new plastic, as you’ll see. But I have good reasons!
First, plastic purchased before the plastic project began:
- Dry mustard container, sprinkle lid, & cap.
I used this up making homemade mustard two weeks ago. From now on, all dry mustard will be purchased from bulk bins using my own container.
New plastic waste this week:
- Clamshell from Energizer family charger. I finally used up the last of my disposable AA and AAA alkaline batteries this week. I had purchased a big box of batteries from Costco long before realizing how wasteful and toxic they are and determined that once they were gone, I’d stick to rechargeables only. So, the time has come. I wanted a good machine that would charge all sizes of batteries, and this one handles AAA, AA, C, D & 9-volt NiMH batteries. And yes, the charger itself is made of new plastic. But at least I purchased it directly from the store (Best Buy) so there wouldn’t be any extra packaging waste or fuel costs.
- 3 clamshells from packages of rechargeable AAA and AA NiMH batteries. I’m hoping I won’t need to buy this size again for a very, very long time.
- Plastic seal from around the neck of a glass bottle of apple cider vinegar. Used to make mustard and also to rinse my hair!
- 4 plastic envelope windows. Safeco Insurance, Financial West Group, Peace Action (I’ve asked this organization to stop sending me paper mail), and PG&E’s year-end statement.
- Plastic from around the ends of organic bananas.
- Packing tape from delivery of something I can’t even remember. I’m wracking my brain but can’t think what was delivered in the last two weeks. Sometimes I scare myself.
- 2 doses of Frontline flea & tick killer for cats. *Sigh* This one makes me really, really sad. I didn’t want to go the toxic route, choose the nooculer option, if you know what I mean. But the fleas are so bad in our house right now, we had no choice. So we’ve not only purchased Frontline to treat the cats, but also a toxic powder to treat our carpets and upholstery. We tried natural oils and bathing the kitties in peppermint soap and vacuuming and washing blankets and linens in hot water. But the fleas in this area are tough and causing a lot of weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. Our cats don’t ever go outside, and still they are infested. What would you do?
