Why oh why do kitties eat plastic fleece? Last August I retired a holey red fleece blanket ^[1] that the kitties had been chowing down on. Now, here’s the blanket we’ve used as a throw on our sofa for several years. I bought it long before I began avoiding new plastic. 100% polyester. Yummy!

Here’s the tally:

Items bought before the plastic project began:

• 1 holey 100% polyester fleece blanket. I think this is the last plastic blanket. We have plenty of others in our home made from natural fibers. This one will be replaced with a wool blanket that Michael bought back when he first moved to the Bay Area. It’s still in good shape, and so far, the kitties have not tried it for dessert. (Although we have found some suspicious holes in a pair of wool slippers I knitted for Michael, so we’ll see.)
• 2 ancient ant traps. Found by the housecleaners last week while cleaning the kitchen.

New plastic waste this week:

• Plastic bag of World’s Best Cat Litter. I’ve written before about my inability to find a plastic-free cat litter that the cats will actually use. SwheatScoop doesn’t do it for them. This month, we’re going to try Smart Litter Organic and Safe ^[2], which despite the plastic bag in the photo on the web site, we found in a paper bag at Pet Food Express. I notice that the web page says, “Improved packaging and formula,” and I wonder if that means they are switching to plastic from paper. I’ll ask the next time I’m over there.

That’s it! Only 4 items this week, and only 1 of which was new.

After my Guilt & Gratitude post ^[3], Michael and I had a conversation about buying new things. He’s even more frugal than I am when it comes to avoiding new purchases, preferring to support thrift stores and often bringing home the rejected items that neighbors leave out “for free.” I told him about The Compact ^[4]. I kind of feel like we already live a Compact-like life without joining or verbally committing to anything.

This week, I have another story to share about finding a way to avoid a new purchase. And this one doesn’t involve any guilt at all.